Just like Sara Howard from The Alienist to the esteemed Nancy Drew, there are many female characters that have graced the screen as detectives and cops. Some of which have surpassed their colleagues and shown immense strength in the face of danger. Over the years in crime dramas and film, there have been more than a handful of rememberable female characters that have reimagined the role of a detective and cop.
Fans have seen these female characters outwit a room full of esteemed individuals and command a room at attention. It’s safe to say that these female detectives and cops have done a splendid job on-screen of inspiring generations and showing just how tough a woman can be.
Marge Gunderson: Fargo
Fargo became a popular film even years after its premiere in 1996. Besides the thrill of a murder mystery, fans came to give a round of applause for the main character, Marge Gunderson played by Frances McDormand. Gunderson is not only the police chief who investigated the roadside homicides, but she was also pregnant while doing so.
Marge showed necessary skills and intelligence for putting together tips and evidence that led to a suspect. She gave it her all when it came to her dedication the job and seeking justice while still having a cheery attitude. At the end of the film, she returns home and reassures her husband about his art being selected for a postage stamp.
Kate Beckett: Castle
Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) of the NYPD in Castle isn’t someone to mess with but it’s what makes her so resilient. Not to mention that she’s smart enough not to fall from Castle’s (Nathan Fillion) charm when they first meet like his other suitors. It’s Beckett’s backstory that is inspirational as a female detective.
Before entering law enforcement she studied pre-law with the intention to become the first female Chief of Justice of the Supreme Court. She entered the police force after her mother’s death. Throughout the show, she displays a high intellect on a range of topics that she came to learn on her own. In her career, she was the youngest woman appointed on the force and became a lead device.
Amelia Donaghy: The Bone Collector
Fans of thriller films from the late ’90s would recall the film, The Bone Collector. It starred Angelina Jolie in one of the main roles as Amelia Donaghy. But what the character standout was her perseverance and knowledge of crime. In the film, she’s only a patrol officer who stumbles upon a crime scene.
Her vast knowledge in forensic allowed her to preserve the crime scene before evidence is destroyed. She catches the attention of a well know forensic expert asked to work the case. In the film, Amelia is the one to go in first on crime scenes and preserve it without help from a forensics team. She even helps piece together evidence to solve the case and catch the killer.
Lilly Rush: Cold Case
Cold Case is a crime show that feels like it’s been around since forever. Not only was the mystery of the crimes that got fans hooked but it was its main character, Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris). To start off her inspirational and impressive story on tv, she was the only female detective in Philadelphia before the arrival of another colleague.
Lilly Rush specialized in working cold cases and persevered that the people shouldn’t be forgotten even years later. Throughout the show, she worked diligently to bring hope the victims’ families and even worked long hours in search of the truth. She’s also tagged as being a gifted interrogator who manages to get a confession even out of the most difficult suspects.
Gracie Hart: Miss Congeniality
Many can agree that the character of Gracie Hart, played by Sandra Bullock, aroused a level of respect and admiration for female agents in law enforcement. Hart wasn’t the typical agent in terms of beauty upkeep that often had people ridicule her. But Hart could care less and was more invested in her work as an agent than looks.
She took after her mother who was a highly respected FBI agent. In the film, she shows that she’s more than capable to take down anyone, even a man. She gave Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) a run for his money. Hart also proved that women are often harshly misjudged for their appearance as she entered the pageant undercover. She even defied orders and stayed behind to protect the contestants.
Temperance Brennan: Bones
Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) isn’t necessarily an official detective but she might as well be. She works as a forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian and consults on cases with the FBI. She’s the crucial cog in the machine when it comes to catching heinous killers. What makes Brennan so unique is her persona.
She doesn’t back down when ethics are questioned, especially when regarding evidence. Brennan is also incredibly level headed and dedicated to her work. She’s proved many items that she intimidates others due to her intellect, but it’s also her best feature. Not to mention that Brennan has proved that she’s more than capable of defending herself and even saved Booth (David Boreanaz) a couple of times.
Lorna Cole: Lethal Weapon 3
The character of Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) was first introduced in Lethal Weapon 3 as a police officer for Internal Affairs. Its wit, charm and dedication as an officer that makes her memorable in law enforcement. Audiences first see her wittiness when Riggs makes a joke about her unaware that she’s a cop. She later uses her authority to request people for interrogation and uses Riggs (Mel Gibson) joke against him.
Cole proves to be a dedicated officer who’s determined to take down crooked cops at any cost. In the film, audiences see Cole hold her own against suspects at a mechanic shop. She even astounds Murtaugh (Danny Glover) with her impressive fighting skills and takes down everyone.
Jane Tennison: Prime Suspect
Prime Suspect was a police procedural show that ran from 1991 up until 2006 and ran for seven seasons. Much like the other detectives in this list, what made the show so intriguing to watch was its main character. Played by Helen Mirren, Jane Tennison becomes the first female Detective Chief Inspector in Greater London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
Tennison challenged the status quo, always got the suspect and above all stood up against the institutional sexism seen within the police department. Tennison’s overall character was a joy to watch on screen as she didn’t take things lightly and often had to prove herself amongst her male colleagues.
Olivia Benson: Law & Order: SVU
Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) has become a female icon as one of the longest-reigning characters in a television series and in Law & Order. What’s admirable about Benson is her rise through the police department and her ability to never change her morals on what’s right when it comes to justice. Throughout the show, audiences have seen Benson grow from being a dedicated detective to Lieutenant and finally Captain of SVU.
Over the past 21 seasons, Benson has proved to not only be loyal to her work but has shown the value of instilling trust in a victim. She became a force to be reckoned with as she stood for the rights of assault victims against those who wished to silence them. Benson also proved to not only show empathy but strength in pushing through for herself, her family, her squad and NYC.
Clarice Starling: The Silence Of The Lambs
Clarice Starling played by Jodie Foster is a special form of detective. In fact, she’s an FBI agent in training at Quantico in The Silence of the Lambs. But regardless, she shows incredible intellect when trying to solve the heinous murders in the film. Not to mention she has the courage to face Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) and not back down.
The character is often remarked as one of the greatest heroines in film history and rightfully so. In the film, Starling doesn’t back down from a challenge and even gains the respect of Lecter. By the end of the film, she stumbles upon the killer and tries to bring him in. Her training and skills prove worthy as she manages to shoot him in the dark.
