6 WOMEN CHANGING TV

BY: Georgia Davis

It’s no secret women have it tough in show business. Like the rest of the world, they are paid less than their male counterparts and rarely get into the executive, directing and writing positions. Well, that is until now. There are several women changing the face of TV, and you need to know their names:

SHONDA RHIMES

The creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes, is a pioneer. She puts women like Ellen Pompeo and Kerry Washington in lead roles. She shows LGBTQ relationships and tackles tough topics. Oh, and did we mention she was the first woman to create three hit shows — Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and Private Practice — with more than 100 episodes each? Yeah, she’s a certified trailblazer.

SANDRA OH

Last year, Sandra Oh became the first Asian woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress In A Series, Drama. She gained acclaim on Grey’s Anatomy, but now she’s battling her emotions and psychopaths on Killing Eve. She plays the title character, who is an extremely successful agent. She’s representing women who are good at their jobs, and we love it.

LENA WAITHE

Lena Waithe has her hand in several successful comedies, including Dear White People and Masters of None, which won her an Emmy for writing. Lena does every: writes, produces, acts, everything. She co-wrote the story for the upcoming film Queen & Slim, a Bonnie and Clyde story but with black protagonists. It’s a socially conscious venture that is sure to be a huge hit.

REESE WITHERSPOON

Reese has done so much to further female plot lines in film and TV. Like her male counterparts, she created her own production companies, Type A Films and Hello Sunshine, and she serves as an executive producer on everything she’s in, including Big Little Lies. Women should be able to have a say in their projects, and Reese embodies that truth.

JANET MOCK

You might not know producer and director Janet Mock yet, but you will. She has produced and directed many episodes of Ryan Murphy’s Pose and was even behind the camera for an episode of The Politician. But Janet just signed a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix to create and produce groundbreaking shows. It is the largest deal earned by an out transgender woman of color. We can’t wait to see her call the shots.

PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE

Women are funny — just ask Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She has taken the world by storm with her impressive dialogue on Fleabag and Killing Eve. She is undoubtedly one of the funniest women on TV right now, and she has three Emmys to back it up. This is just the beginning for the Brit, and we are excited to see what she does next.