Top 10 Female Nerds in TV
#10: Felicity Smoak “Arrow” (2012-)
Oliver Queen/Green Arrow may be the hero/vigilante of the series, but Team Arrow wouldn’t be anything without Felicity Smoak. Felicity once worked in the IT department of Queen Consolidated, though her unmatched computer-hacking skills were not being used to their full potential. That is, until Oliver asks her to pick up data from a destroyed laptop. Originally intended to be a one-off character, fans loved Felicity’s tech smarts and poor choices of words. Now she’s a vital part of Team Arrow, offering both tech support AND moral support. Though she’s not a fighter by choice, she can handle herself in any situation… unless it has to do with Oliver.
#9: Annie Edison “Community” (2009-15)
Sometimes the studious ones can be the scariest. Annie is the youngest member of the Study Group, and easily the most ambitious about her studies. She was an excellent student in high school, until she had to drop out after a little incident involving Adderall. Now she’s trying to make up for it at Greendale Community College to follow her dream of becoming a forensic scientist. Most of the time, Annie’s a cheerful and serious type-A student who actually studies in the group. However, if something doesn’t go her way …well, it’s not pretty. Even so, at the end of the day, she still tries her best no matter what, and one day it’ll all pay off.
#8: Mindy Crenshaw “Drake & Josh” (2004-07)
Top 10 Mindy Project Moments
Josh Nichols is obviously the intelligent one of the bickering stepbrothers, but one person may just be smarter than him: Mindy Crenshaw. Mindy’s a certified genius, but she’s pretty conceited about it, never wasting an opportunity to rub it in Josh’s face how she can beat him at… well, everything. Needless to say, she’s initially not very popular with the brothers, but later on, her competition with Josh takes an unexpected turn. Unfortunately, their old rivalry ends up getting in the way of their relationship – as Josh still feels inferior – and it leads to their breakup. Mindy may outclass Josh in academics, but she’s willing to put aside their little conflict if it means they can get back together.
#7: Temperance ‘Bones’ Brennan “Bones” (2005-)
Sometimes, the most brilliant people have the least graceful social skills. Dr. Temperance Brennan –loosely based on Kathy Reichs, author of the original books – is an anthropologist/detective for the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, D.C. She’s nicknamed “Bones” because of her topnotch skills at analyzing skeletal remains… even when there’s barely anything left to analyze. Though Bones is a master at anthropology, her social skills leave a lot to be desired – she doesn’t pick up on pop culture references, and she isn’t very tactful about political or religious views either. However, her partner, FBI Agent Seeley Booth, and team of “squints” can’t hate her, and neither can we; she just needs a chance to get out of her comfort zone.
#6: Abby Sciuto “NCIS” (2003-)
Abby is the chief forensic scientist for the NCIS Major Case Response Team, and needless to say she’s got the skills to pay the bills: she’s able to pick up the tiniest details that even the best microscope can’t see. Although her gothic exterior and various tattoos might suggest otherwise, she’s very perky and friendly, loves to drink high energy-caffeine drinks, and has a farting stuffed hippo named Bert. Her quirks have endeared her to her coworkers, to the point where they love and try to protect her – especially Senior Special Agent Gibbs. However, make no mistake: you don’t want to get in her way… and most importantly, you do NOT want to steal her cupcake.
#5: Penelope Garcia “Criminal Minds” (2005-)
Top 10 Penelope & Derek Moments on Criminal Minds
If you’re possibly facing prison time for computer hacking, wouldn’t it be a no-brainer to take the government deal and use your skills for good? That’s what tech genius Penelope Garcia decides, and now she’s working for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit as a technical analyst, where her incredible hacking skills serve up stone-cold justice. Along with her tech smarts, Garcia’s also very friendly towards her co-workers; and they wouldn’t change her even if they could. Of course, her job isn’t always easy; sometimes she’ll witness horrifying things, causing her to worry about losing even more of her loved ones than she already has. Yet, through it all, Garcia remains the optimistic and eccentric tech queen who keeps the team running.
#4: Betty Suarez “Ugly Betty” (2006-10)
Top 10 Memorable Ugly Betty Moments
This ugly duckling is becoming a beautiful swan in the fashion biz. With her adult braces and mismatched ensemble, Betty Suarez isn’t the type of girl you’d expect to see working at a big-time fashion magazine. However, she’s brought on at MODE Magazine as an assistant to the womanizing editor-in-chief by his own father… much to her new boss’ dismay. Betty’s more “gorgeous” co-workers treat her like an outcast, but her attitude and work ethic have saved the company more times than they can count. You don’t have to be a bombshell beauty to make it big; just look at Betty – she’s successfully gone from a homely dweeb to a co-owner/executive producer at a highfaluting London magazine. Not so ugly anymore, is she?
#3: Willow Rosenberg “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
The mousy characters can be full of surprises. At the start of the series, Willow is a shy and timid high school nerd, easily intimidated by the popular crowd. However, after making friends with a certain vampire slayer, her confidence grows and she becomes an essential part of the Scooby Gang. She offers much-needed assistance with research and planning, and later applies her newfound witchcraft abilities. What’s more, Willow is also part of one of television’s first lesbian couples…. But sadly, that love story ends tragically, unlocking poor Willow’s dark side. She returns to the light of course, but it just goes to show what happens when the shy and vulnerable characters are pushed to the edge.
#2: Alex Dunphy “Modern Family” (2009-) It’s hard being the middle child, but Alex takes it in stride…ish. Alex is the youngest daughter in the Dunphy family, and without a doubt the most intelligent person in the house. Having to deal with a shallow older sister and a goofy younger brother, Alex isn’t above snarky comebacks and messing with her “less intelligent” siblings. As you can probably tell, Alex is an overachiever in academics – often isolating herself from those below her intelligence. Like most real-life overachievers, she’ll put a lot of pressure on herself to succeed until she finally has a meltdown. Despite the pressure she puts on herself, our favorite bespectacled, nerdy middle child is definitely on the road to success. Before we unveil our number one nerd, here are a few honorable mentions: - Dr. Caitlin Snow “The Flash” (2014-) - Winifred ‘Fred’ Burkle “Angel” (1999-2004)
#1: Amy Farrah Fowler “The Big Bang Theory” (2007-)
Top 10 Amy Farrah Fowler Moments on The Big Bang Theory
This neurobiologist is introduced at the end of season three, when an online dating prank on Sheldon ironically finds him the perfect match. Though Amy is most definitely a genius, a social butterfly she is not. In fact, in her earlier appearances, she’s blunt, serious, and has pretty low self-esteem… which might be why she puts up with Sheldon. However, as the series progresses, she grows closer to her man and the other girls, breaking out of her awkward shell to become a *slightly* more laidback and joyful woman who knows what she wants. She’s gone from a Sheldon clone to her own unique individual, acting as an inspiration for other socially awkward nerds hoping to break out. Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite nerdy lady? For more geeky top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.
