18 Best Female Friendships On TV

From the classic duo of Lucy and Ethel in I Love Lucy onward, strong female friendships have been a highlight of many great TV shows. These characters often support each other’s ambitions, whether at work or in school, and have become some of the most memorable in television history. You can find these powerful bonds not only in comedies, but also in dramatic and action-packed series.

Amy Santiago & Rosa Diaz

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2018)

Amy Santiago and Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine share a remarkably strong friendship at work. They’re very different – Amy is driven and focused on details, while Rosa is tough and direct – but their contrasting personalities actually make their friendship stronger. They manage to be both professional colleagues and genuinely loyal friends.

They constantly motivate each other to improve, share in each other’s successes, both big and small. Although Amy and Rosa eventually lead very different lives—Amy focusing on her career and family, and Rosa leaving the police force—they remain steadfast supporters of one another.

Sutton Brady, Kat Edison, & Jane Sloane

The Bold Type (2017-2021)

Inspired by shows like Sex and the City, The Bold Type follows three young women – Jane, Kat, and Sutton – as they pursue their careers at Scarlet magazine and explore their love lives. Though it has its ups and downs, the show thoughtfully addresses important issues such as breast cancer prevention, coming out as a woman of color, and the challenges faced by immigrants.

Ultimately, this series is a story about the strong bond between three women who are always there for each other, offering support and honest advice as they navigate life’s ups and downs, both at work and in their personal lives. While it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, The Bold Type feels more like a true continuation of the spirit of Sex and the City than the recent revival, And Just Like That.

Tully Hart & Kate Mularkey

Firefly Lane (2021-2023)

The friendship between Tully Hart and Kate Mularkey in the Netflix series Firefly Lane is a deeply moving look at a connection that lasts a lifetime. The show traces their relationship through three different periods – their awkward teenage years, the challenges of becoming adults, and the difficulties they face with their careers and families.

Their friendship is a complex mix of love and loyalty, marked by both fierce competition and genuine care. The show realistically portrays how life’s challenges – like time, distance, and individual decisions – can put a strain on even the strongest friendships, which makes their moments of reconnection all the more meaningful.

Liz Lemon & Jenna Maroney

30 Rock (2006-2013)

The show 30 Rock cleverly and humorously explores the tricky relationships between friends who are also colleagues, particularly through the characters of Liz Lemon and Jenna Maroney. Having a history together before working on TGS, their friendship is complicated by their professional roles – Liz is Jenna’s boss, and frequently finds herself needing to look after her.

Liz and Jenna’s friendship is complicated – it involves games, silly antics, and even a little manipulation. But despite all that, they really need each other. Liz helps Jenna stay realistic, and Jenna encourages Liz to take risks. This dynamic is key to the show’s success, perfectly mixing sharp humor with the heartfelt moments that make the best episodes of 30 Rock so memorable.

Rory Gilmore & Paris Geller

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

The friendship between Rory Gilmore and Paris Geller is a standout in Gilmore Girls. Starting at Chilton and continuing through Yale, they constantly challenge and inspire each other to be their best. Their connection is a unique mix of competition and unwavering loyalty, making it both a powerful and complicated bond.

Everyone often talks about the bond between Rory and Lorelai, but a mother and daughter can’t just be friends. Rory and Paris, though, connect as equals, and their friendship is a key part of the show’s story about growing up, achieving goals, and the power of female friendships.

Daria Morgendorffer & Jane Lane

Daria (1997-2002)

The friendship between Daria and Jane in the show Daria is a great mix of sarcasm, smarts, and unwavering support. Jane is bubbly, creative, and funny, and Daria is dry, skeptical, and notices everything – but they complement each other beautifully.

These friends have a strong connection based on really understanding each other, sharing a similar sense of humor, and a quiet trust that helps them deal with the craziness of high school. They push each other to think differently, encourage each other’s goals, and create a comfortable environment where they can truly be themselves.

Unlike most teen TV shows, Daria focuses on a friendship between girls that isn’t complicated by romantic interests or excessive drama. This realistic approach is a big reason why Daria and Jane are considered one of the most memorable and believable depictions of female friendship on television.

Laverne DeFazio & Shirley Feeney

Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983)

The friendship between Laverne and Shirley is one of television’s most beloved examples of enduring female friendship. After first appearing on Happy Days, their great chemistry and funny dynamic led to their own spin-off show. From the very beginning, working together at the Shotz Brewery, they were known for always finding themselves in comical trouble – and facing it together.

Laverne and Shirley are a classic comedic duo because they’re so different – Laverne is outgoing and spontaneous, while Shirley is kind and cheerful. This contrast leads to hilarious situations and touching moments. They support each other through everything – from dating troubles and job challenges to personal hardships – proving that true friendship is both fun and incredibly reliable.

Joan Carol Clayton, Toni Marie Childs-Garrett, Maya Denise Wilkes & Lynn Ann Searcy

Girlfriends (2001-2008)

The TV show Girlfriends, with its characters Joan, Toni, Maya, and Lynn, is known for its honest and lasting depiction of female friendship. Joan is focused on her career and achieving her goals, while Toni is quick-witted and incredibly loyal. Maya is driven by her passions and strong beliefs, and Lynn is a unique individual who is also deeply caring.

They push each other to grow, offer comfort, and share in both good times and bad. The show realistically depicts their relationships, including arguments, miscommunications, and how they make up – it doesn’t avoid the messy parts.

Buffy Summers & Willow Rosenberg

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

The friendship between Buffy and Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a classic example of strong female bonding and personal development on TV. Buffy’s bravery and ability to lead work perfectly with Willow’s magical skills and intelligence, forming a relationship based on trust, encouragement, and respect for each other.

The show doesn’t avoid arguments or disagreements between characters, but the strong bond between its friends always pulls them through, creating an environment where they can be honest and learn from each other. More than just a story about monsters and magic, Buffy and Willow’s friendship shows how powerful and supportive female connections can be, and it’s inspired many shows since then by successfully mixing action, drama, and genuine emotion.

Grace Hanson & Frankie Bergstein

Grace And Frankie (2015-2022)

The Netflix series Grace and Frankie offers a fresh and important look at female friendship, particularly among older women, who are rarely the focus of such stories on TV. The show begins with an unexpected twist – Grace and Frankie are brought together when their husbands leave them to be with each other – and their connection quickly grows into a strong and supportive bond.

The show centers around Grace and Frankie as they explore love, work, family, and new beginnings later in life, demonstrating that age doesn’t define them. Grace, with her refined and organized nature, complements Frankie’s spontaneous and artistic personality. Together, they create a funny, heartwarming, and inspiring story about the strength and beauty of female friendship at every age.

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2026-02-10 20:01