10 Best Things to Watch That Have Passed the Bechdel Test

If you’ve never heard of the Bechdel test, it’s a way of measuring the representation of women in fictional media, including books, film and TV. Created by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985, in order to pass the test, the work must feature at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. An added stipulation is that the women must also be named characters.

While the Bechdel test is not a perfect system — because even the most overtly feminist piece of media could fail (intersectionality matters) — it’s a great jumping off point if you’re looking for a way to support more female-centric stories.

Not sure where to begin? Start with these 10 TV series that have passed the Bechdel test with flying colours.

Star Trek Discovery actors Sonequa Martin-Green and Mary Wiseman embrace on a red carpet

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1 / 10

Star Trek: Discovery

When it comes to the Star Trek universe, especially in more recent series, primary female characters have agency as well as powerful roles within Starfleet. This even extends to the alien races that they come across during their journeys. In Star Trek: Discovery, the story centres on Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), a Human Starfleet Officer. Almost every episode has at least one scene where Burnham has a conversation with one of her female colleagues like Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) or Phillppa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) about inner conflict, saving civilizations and solving mysteries of the universe.

The Good Fight's Cush Jumbo and Christine Baranski at a press conference for the show

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2 / 10

The Good Fight

Picking up the story where The Good Wife left off, The Good Fight follows Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) and a return to her career in law after her retirement plans are derailed. In a female-led story set in the legal world with rich characters like Lockhart, Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo), Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie), Liz Reddick (Audra McDonald) and Marissa Gold (Sarah Steele), there are ample opportunities for them to discuss anything and everything except for their male co-workers, clients and family members.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power voice actors Lauren Ash, Aimee Carrero, AJ Michalka and Karen Fukuhara

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3 / 10

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, the critically-acclaimed reboot of the beloved 80s animated series, is a shining example of how to pass the Bechdel test. 95 percent of the characters are female, and they communicate with each other constantly throughout the series about non-male-centric topics. Whether Adora (Aimee Carrero) is planning a way to defeat evil and save Etheria, making new friends and allies like Glimmer (Karen Fukuhara), or seeing the good in characters like Catra (AJ Michalka) when they can’t see it in themselves, it’s a refreshing and empowering tale that both adults and kids can enjoy.

Kaley Cuoco and Zosia Mamet on location in New York City for The Flight Attendant

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4 / 10

The Flight Attendant

For a series about a woman who wakes up next to a dead man and has no clue what happened, the female characters on The Flight Attendant spend a lot of time talking about other things like alcoholism, PTSD and loneliness. Starring Kaley Cuoco as Cassie Bowden (in her first live action role since The Big Bang Theory) and co-starring Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet and Michelle Gomez, this murder mystery/dark comedy hybrid passes the Bechdel test throughout its eight episodes.

Yvonne Orji and Issa Rae of HBO series Insecure

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5 / 10

Insecure

Insecure not only passes the Bechdel test, it’s a perfect example of intersectional feminism on the small screen — in front of and behind the camera. Since its premiere in 2016, both Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) have discussed the men in their lives, but issues like money, careers, and their own complicated relationship have taken centre stage way more often.

Broad City creators and stars Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson

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6 / 10

Broad City

Throughout its five season run, Broad City was one of the finest examples of how a show scores an A+ on the Bechdel test. Created, written by and starring real life friends Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, conversation between these besties rarely revolved around men. Cannabis was always a popular talking point for the duo, and they never shied away from discussing periods, wardrobe malfunctions, jobs and the unique pleasures of living in New York City.

The cast of The Wilds on location in New Zealand, including Shannon Berry, Helena Howard, Reign Edwards, Jenna Clause and Sophia Ali

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7 / 10

The Wilds

For those who have wondered what a feminist LOST or Lord of the Flies would look like, The Wilds is the answer. Released in December 2020, this thrill ride is about a group of teen girls trying to survive on a seemingly deserted island following a plane crash. Men rarely come up in conversation as the young women try to get past their differences, survive the elements, and question whether it was actually an accident that brought them to the island. It has a stellar female ensemble cast including Sophia Ali (Grey’s Anatomy), Reign Edwards (MacGyver) and Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), and has already been renewed for a second season. Not only does it pass the Bechdel test, it’s so entertaining that you may be tempted to watch it in one sitting.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina stars Miranda Otto, Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Davis

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8 / 10

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

You’d better believe that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina — adapted from the Archie comics spin-off about witches in Greendale — passes the Bechdel test. Yes, there are romantic entanglements for Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka), but there are scenes in almost every episode where males aren’t even mentioned. Whether it’s a conversation with her Aunts Hilda (Lucy Davis) and Zelda (Miranda Otto) or her frenemies, The Weird Sisters, they’re more likely to be coming up with ways to fight demons and saving humanity as powerful witches do.

Parks and Recreation stars Aubrey Plaza, Rashida Jones and Amy Poehler on the press line at a Trevor Project event

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9 / 10

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation passes the Bechdel test in so many ways, and we wouldn’t expect anything else from the show that made Galentine’s Day a real life celebration each February 13th. Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and her best friend, Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) would happily chat about local infrastructure, career goals, empowering the next generation of female leaders, and even waffles.

Derry Girls stars Louisa Harland, Siobhan McSweeney, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Nicola Coughlan

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10 / 10

Derry Girls

Set in late 1990s Northern Ireland during the Troubles when tensions were high between Irish nationalists and British loyalists, Derry Girls is a laugh out loud comedy about a group of friends and their families. Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Clare (Nicola Coughlan) and Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) get up to the usual teen hijinks, especially when it comes to melodrama at their Catholic high school. Even star Nicola Coughlan is vocal on her social channels about promoting other shows that pass the Bechdel test.