Our Favorite TV Women

As LAPD deputy chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, Sedgwick talks softly but packs a big wallop. Though Brenda’s a workaholic with a sugar habit, she did manage, after much dilly-dallying, to fit in a wedding to her FBI fiancé, Fritz.

Close is mesmerizing as deeply devious litigator Patty Hewes, bringing a level of humanity to a role that could have been simply ruthless and one-note.

Williams’s magazine-editor character, Wilhelmina, is a diva and a schemer — so not like us! — but we love her just the same. Williams brings enormous style and humor to her over-the-top role.

Grace is fierce, flawed and she’s enjoying more sex than anyone else in prime time. We’ll have what she’s having.

As Nora Walker, the ever-lively Field dispels the usual images conjured by the term “family matriarch.” Nora has handled plenty of trouble and even had her own late-midlife crisis—it’s not all about the kids for her.

For 10 seasons now, Detective Olivia Benson has felt the pain of New York’s victims of abusive crime. Playing the character has even inspired Hargitay to create the Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps women in need.

Parker brings keen intelligence and quirky humor to the role of Nancy Botwin, a suburban mom turned widow and marijuana dealer, in one of cable’s most risk-taking series.

Jackie is skilled, committed to her work and inclined to take better care of others than she does of herself. She’s not perfect, and she doesn’t pretend to be. All reasons why she strikes a highly realistic note in an otherwise very black comedy. The show just launched this summer; look for Falco in next year’s Emmy race.

McCormack’s character, Mary Shannon, is a U.S. Marshal working in the witness protection program. She could use a little protection herself from her mother, who’s struggling to recover from alcoholism while camping out in Mary’s home. No wonder she’s a tad grumpy. Now in its second season, the show’s gathering steam—Emmy voters, take notice!