Television shows with female leads are sometimes difficult to come by — so it's bittersweet when some beloved feminist shows schedule a series finale. The TNT show Rizzoli and Isles may be ending after Season 7, but there are a lot of new shows coming up in the 2016-2017 season with female protagonists that you may want to check out.
Unfortunately, nothing is quite like the TNT series. There aren't any female duos coming to the silver screen any time soon, which is a shame. It's a good thing that we have seven seasons of Rizzoli and Isles, as well as the original novel series, to look back upon and watch. There is some exciting news with a few returning shows that might interest Rizzoli and Isles fans. Famke Janssen is leading a Blacklist spinoff via a backdoor pilot, and Paget Brewster is returning to Criminal Minds full time.
As for new shows, here are some upcoming shows on a variety of networks that tell complicated stories about women, and in many cases feature women behind the camera as well. Many of them are police procedurals, like Rizzoli and Isles, but many dip into other genres that could prove to be just as interesting.
1. Conviction
This series stars Hayley Atwell in a role decidedly unlike Peggy Carter, but I'm amped for it all the same.
2. Still Star-Crossed
Trust in Shonda Rhimes, while this Shakespearean series may not be much like Rizzoli and Isles, it could easily become your next obsession.
3. Notorius
Piper Perabo stars as a television producer who works alongside an attorney — a new twist on the classic crime-solving duo.
4. Divorce
It's a dark, feminist comedy with Sarah Jessica Parker at the lead. What's not to like?
5. Shots Fired
The event series comes from Gina Prince-Blythewood, the writer/director of Beyond the Lights and Love & Basketball, and stars DeWanda Wise as a detective.
6. Pitch
Female baseball player? Yes please.
7. Insecure
Finally, finally, Issa Rae is on HBO — and you can't miss this new series.
8. Frequency
The CW series stars Peyton List (from Mad Men, The Flash, and The Tomorrow People) as a detective who discovers a connection to her past.
9. Better Things
This FX series flips Louie around and instead focuses on the life of actress Pamela Adlon, C.K.'s writing and producing partner.
10. Doubt
It's an ensemble series, but with powerhouse actresses like Laverne Cox, Katherine Heigl, and Dreama Walker.
11. Good Girls Revolt
Finally, this is an Amazon series about female reporters that, if you haven't gleamed from title, proves that sisters are doing it for themselves. There are a lot of good new shows in the upcoming fall and spring seasons. Hopefully, a few of them will have the staying power that Rizzoli and Isles did.
Image: TNT (screengrab)
