They’re successful, inspiring and they offer us, the viewers, the chance to learn from their mistakes and find out what makes them always seem to be able to get over anything. There you have it – the Top 10 powerful female characters from TV shows.

10. Parker (Leverage)

She’s funny, flexible and has learned to lend a helping hand to those who really need it. Resembling a cartoon character, Parker had a tough childhood and got by on her own from an early age. She did become a thief, but at least she’s a very good one.

9. Lisa Cuddy (House)

Although she left the show and won’t come back for next season, the Dean of Medicine from Princeton Plainsboro will be fondly remembered. She did her best in controlling House, she even managed to have a relationship with the deeply disturbing diagnostician, she took in a child and she also dealt with everything concerning the hospital. Remember ‘9 to 5’, the 13th episode from season 6?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAras0tESCI

8. Debra Morgan (Dexter)

She is the sister of a serial killer. And although she doesn’t know that yet, she did have to deal with a lot of crap. She always envied Dexter for the amount of time he spent with Harry, their dad. Her mother died of cancer when she was a teenager. She fell in love with the Ice-Truck killer, managed to become a detective just like her dad, then fell in love with Lundy, got shot and watched him die. Although she is vulnerable, she hides it well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74tubLUhiLI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Rgg4DGEOI

7. Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City)

The idol of single 30-something women everywhere. Because she is always looking for true love, no matter how many dissappointments she has to face. She is loyal to her friends, although a little bit selfish sometimes, she knows how to have fun, she’s clearly a fashion icon and also manages to support herself by doing what she really loves. No, not sex, writing. And, you have to admit, she did teach us some things over the years.

6. Veronica Mars

OMG, this girl must have been cursed or something. Her mother runs away, her best friend gets killed and her boyfriend leaves her because… he thinks they’re brother and sister. Yes, it’s a lot of drama for a teenage girl, but Veronica is tough, knows how to stand up for herself and helps those in need. She also puts bad people behind bars sometimes, which is always a plus.

5. Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood)

The telepathic barmaid from Louisiana who has a special talent of always running into trouble. It’s kind of a miracle that she is still alive. Her parents died when she was young. She falls in love with a vampire. Her grandma gets killed. Her brother is goofy. Her fanged boyfriend disappears. She fights werewolves. She finds out she’s a fairy. And now has to deal with witches. Poor blonde creature. No wonder Snoop Dogg wrote a song for her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBw2z_p1JfE

4. Temperance Brennan (Bones)

Dr. Temperance Brennan, the attractive, but socially awkward forensic anthropologist, also had a not so pleasant life. Her parents disappeared when she was 15 years old, her older brother was unable to care for her and she was put in the foster care system. A very traumatic time for Bones. Later she finds out that her mother is dead and her dad is a criminal. Her assitant decides it’s ok to eat human flesh and goes a little crazy. And her love life… well, she did had a lot of boyfriends at some point, but she really suffered when Booth rejected her. And let’s not forget: she rarely gets culture jokes, sarcasm and metaphors. But somehow she still is a brilliant scientist, she writes novels and solves crimes.

3. Alicia Florrick (The Good Wife)

Another truly inspiring TV character. Her husband, a former Cook County state’s attorney, is jailed following a public scandal involving sex and corruption and she returns to work as a lawyer, in order to support her two children. She is powerful, smart and able to handle all the scandal, while doing her best in keeping her kids positive and as little affected as possible by all the gossip. She tries to make her marriage work, but has the force to kick Peter out when she finds out he crossed the line, yet again. I think women everywhere should take her as an example.

2. Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

I’ve always loved Lorelai. Her positive thinking, power to fight for what she wants and desire to protect Rory and raise her in a loving environment impressed me. She got pregnant when she was a teenager, left home and built a life of her own, working had to support her kid, filling Rory’s life with books, movies and music. I also liked her relationship with Christopher – tolerating his sometimes immature behaviour, trying to make him be a good father, supporting him when in need. She truly deserved a happy ending with Luke and a joyful life among the colourful characters in Stars Hollow.

1. Meredith Grey (Grey’s Anatomy)

Who else could lead this top other television’s darkest and twistiest woman? She is sometimes whiny, sometimes selfish, but always compassionate, loving and very good to have around in a crisis. Problems? Well, there’s the father thing, the abandonment issues, the mother having Alzheimer’s, the dirty mistress factor. Let’s not forget almost getting blown up, actually drowning, having her husband get shot, one of her good friends dying and another one barely surviving cancer. All this and she is still sane and a capable surgeon. She can handle a lots of shades of grey and doesn’t believe in black and white or right and wrong. I can’t wait to see her raising a baby.

Other honorable mentions: Nurse Jackie, all the Desperate Housewives, Peggy Olson (Mad Men), Nancy Botwin (Weeds), Patty Hewes (The Closer). Who else you think should have made the top?

Featured photo from Picasa