A manic pixie dream girl is that typical, bubbly, cheerleader type, whose main purpose is to make the lead character look good. Not much attention is paid to giving this girl a strong sense of identity or adding much color to her backstory because it is less important for the audience to know her as an individual as opposed to just the "other half."
The manic pixie dream girl may have been popular when television was still black and white, however, the modern-day female typically wants the women appearing on their screens to have more substance. Slowly but surely, this gender stereotype is being taken over by the strong and independent leading lady, which has now become quite a fashionable concept in popular television series today.
10 The Queen's Gambit
When an orphaned girl is blessed with a remarkable affinity for chess and granted access to a steady supply of narcotics, a prodigy is born in The Queen's Gambit, and her name is Beth Harmon. After being adopted by Alma Wheatley, Beth starts skipping school to compete in tournaments for cash prizes. Young Beth finds independence early and learns that she need not rely on a man or anybody else to succeed in life.
Her generally abrasive attitude suggests that she seeks nobody's approval; her sights set on the Grand Master title (with some intense partying in between). Beth struggles with issues of substance abuse and social stigma, but is able to pull her way out of the rabbit hole in time to make it to her match against the esteemed Vasily Borgov.
9 Killing Eve
Eve Polastri throws it all away for the sake of upholding the law and definitely doesn't exude any pixie girl vibes in the process. In a twist of fate, Eve's mission to track down the infamous Villanelle has become an unofficial operation, as obsession takes over in the pursuit of truth and justice and the team gets steadily closer to tracking down the serial killer.
Ironically, Eve and Villanelle form a strange relationship that surpasses that of cat-and-mouse, and their mind games change course when their fixation on one another becomes mutual. Unconcerned with fluffing up the male ego, Eve risks everything to prove once and for all that she is more than just a security service operative.
8 Jessica Jones
The story of Jessica Jones is anything but cute and cuddly, portraying the typically dark storyline expected from DC. The formidable mind-controlling villain, Kilgrave, holds Jessica hostage, forcing his affections on her, and even her brute strength is useless against his torturous brainwashing. Fortunately, the abused woman manages to escape and returns to her life as a private investigator, determined to destroy the man that made her feel powerless for the very first time.
True, Jessica 'fan-girls' a bit when dating Luke Cage, but who could blame the girl; just look at him! Destined to be together and both thirsty for Killgrave's blood, their relationship is short-lived as love takes a back seat to crime-fighting.
7 Orange Is The New Black
Sentenced behind bars for being involved in a smuggling syndicate, Piper Chapman is initially a sad, rather annoying, basic blonde who loves to play the blame game. She gives the first impression of being a helpless, pampered princess with little-to-no substance. However, with each day that she spends behind bars, influenced by Alex Voss, Red, and even Pennsatucky, Piper slowly realizes that she can take control of her own life.
Granted, Alex will probably forever remain more hardcore and less pixie girl than her opinionated counterpart, but, as deep as Piper's victim mentality goes, she will likely never fall to the level of Lorna Morello, the ultimate manic pixie dream girl.
6 Jane The Virgin
In the first few seasons of Jane the Virgin, this hopeless romantic displays many characteristics of the perfect manic pixie dream girl, as her people-pleasing ways and love-sick-puppy mentality cause some eye rolls in the girl-power department. However, as the storyline progresses, Jane realizes that she is the one in control of her destiny and that finding love does not have to always be the top priority.
As she sacrifices everything to follow her dreams of becoming a published author, Jane starts putting down firmer boundaries, finally deterring people from taking advantage of her desire to keep the peace.
5 The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Netflix gives the classic 90s tale a fresh twist, and the new set of Spellmans are anything but pixie dream girls. Aunt Hilda aside, these ladies have high ambitions, each claiming an authoritative position within the Church of Night. Sabrina takes on her father, Lucifer himself, while Aunt Zelda overcomes her infatuation with Father Blackwood (a little too late, but nevertheless) to save the students from the clutches of evil.
Aunt Hilda surprises everyone when even she takes charge of the situation, her loyal Incubus bridegroom at her side. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina emphasizes the theme of girl power, with only Harvey, Ambrose, and Nicholas Scratch possessing any major lead protagonist roles, yet all unable to become the ultimate heroes in the end.
4 How To Get Away With Murder
Annalise Keating is arguably one of the toughest chicks in dramatic television, as her no-nonsense attitude never falters to get the job done. If she truly was a manic pixie dream girl, then Annalise would have used her skills and connections as a high-profiled lawyer to get revenge for her husband's death, instead of helping Michaela and Wes get away with murder.
It would not be the first time that a woman took the side of her cheating spouse, but Annalise refuses to let emotions blind her decisions. It is safe to say that all of the female leads in How To Get Away With Murder have a strong presence in the storyline, each with a depth to their character and backstory, and a drive for independence.
3 Why Women Kill
Of the three stories in Why Women Kill, Beth Ann Stanton shows the most potential as a manic pixie dream girl, as her loyalty to her husband has blinded her from his adulterous ways. Simone Grove and Taylor Harding, on the other hand, seem to wear the pants in their respective relationships, with Taylor going so far as to convince her husband to allow her to enjoy other lovers.
As the story unfolds and the various pennies start to drop, Beth, Simone, and Taylor take a firm step out of the victim role, suddenly aware that their partners are no longer worth idolizing. Each lady's depth of character is significantly fleshed out, showing viewers exactly what a loyal woman is capable of once she has been crossed.
2 The Magicians
Alice Quinn may share the spotlight as a lead character in The Magicians, however, she is under no delusions regarding her partner's capabilities. As amazing as Quentin Coldwater is, Alice remains to be the most qualified and strongest witch for almost any occasion, and one of the top students at Brakebills University.
Stemming from a respectable magician's family, Alice did not have the perfect childhood that everyone assumed and learned the hard way that she need only rely on herself. After pushing herself to the limit and ultimately becoming a dangerous Niffin herself, Alice learns to accept help from Quentin, and together they uncover the truth behind Fillory and Further.
1 The Handmaid's Tale
As a lowly handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, Offred does not quietly accept her role as a servant of the state, simply accepting her fate like so many before her. In this autocratic society, women are without rights and treated as possessions. Offred (formerly June) is unfortunate enough to receive the position of an unpaid sex worker, expected to breed for government officials like a farm animal.
Regardless of the severe and violent consequences inflicted upon those who are caught, Offred and her oppressed allies repeatedly try and flee Gilead, showing a desperate determination to not become just another victim of circumstance.