The opposite of ‘damsels in distress’: how TV fell in love with female gangsters
The ruthless female characters of The Gentlemen, Beef and Peaky Blinders bring new depth to the evil matriarch stereotype
TL;DR
- The Duchess of Sussex was reportedly in early talks for a role in the third season of Netflix's 'The Gentlemen'.
- The gangster genre is shifting, with more women taking prominent roles and commanding criminal organizations.
- 'The Gentlemen' features Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario), a ruthless head of a cannabis empire who is depicted as an equal or superior to her male counterparts.
- Other shows like 'Black Doves' and 'MobLand' also showcase powerful female crime bosses, such as Alex Clark (Tracey Ullman) and Maeve Harrigan (Helen Mirren).
- This new wave of female gangsters moves beyond traditional roles of 'damsel in distress' or quiet matriarchs, presenting complex characters with agency.
- Characters like Laurie in 'Euphoria' demonstrate drug queenpins who are not matriarchal or sexualized but are formidable figures in their own right.
- Susie Glass in 'The Gentlemen' is portrayed as a hyper-capable 'millennial girlboss' whose strategic abilities and visual femininity are distinct but not defining characteristics.
- The evolution of female characters in gangster shows adds depth and scope to the genre, allowing for more shocking and subversive narratives.