Top 20 Badass LGBTQIA+ TV Characters

#20: Lana Winters

“American Horror Story” (2011-)

Few characters in this anthology horror series have endured as much as Lana did in “Asylum.” Sister Jude locks her up in Briarcliff, claiming it’s due to her homosexuality, but she actually wants to cover up her exposé about the asylum. She later ends up in the hands of serial killer Bloody Face, and it seems she’s going to be yet another casualty. However, she uses her intelligence, cunning, and resourcefulness to not only survive the ordeal, but also bring down the forces that are trying to hurt her. She’s everything we love about the trope of a horror movie “final girl,” but this one just so happens to be a lesbian. Right on.

#19: Anissa Pierce

“Black Lightning” (2018-21)

Super strength, brains, and zero patience for injustice—that’s Anissa Pierce in a nutshell. As the daughter of Black Lightning, Anissa develops powers of her own and steps up as the hero Thunder. But her powers are not her only gifts. She’s bold in a more grounded way, outspoken, politically aware, and never afraid to call out corruption. “Black Lightning” doesn’t shy away from Anissa’s identity as a proud Black lesbian. Her story balances love, family, and responsibility. Whether she’s throwing punches or challenging the system, Anissa is a hero who stands tall even without the mask.

#18: Eliot

“The Magicians” (2015-20)

With his sharp wit, a drink always in hand, and magic to back up the bravado, Eliot Waugh was destined to be iconic. A student at Brakebills, Eliot starts off as the ultimate hedonist. It doesn’t take long to see through the thin veneer to the barely masked pain underneath. Over time, though, he evolves into something much more than a moody heartthrob. As High King of Fillory, he proves his strength through sacrifice, leadership, and hard choices. When it counts, Eliot doesn’t just talk; he’s a fighter. The show treats his queerness as a facet—not the whole—of his character. Beneath the biting humor is a loyal friend and a surprisingly brave hero.

#17: Maze

“Lucifer” (2016-21)

Armed with blades and gallons of attitude, the demon Mazikeen is one of the deadliest TV characters of the 21st century. As the (mostly) loyal lieutenant to Lucifer Morningstar, Maze is a ruthless fighter who can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone—including angels. Beneath that hardened exterior, though, is a young soul—literally—that she struggles to understand. Over time, her bond with Trixie begins to crack that armor, pushing Maze toward something more human. That growth leads her to love in the form of Eve, the first woman. Maze is proof positive that even a barbed, razor-wire exterior can hide a little marshmallow underneath.

#16: Villanelle

“Killing Eve” (2018-22)

Stylish, unpredictable, and terrifyingly efficient, Villanelle is a force of pure chaos. A highly skilled assassin working for a shadowy organization, she approaches every kill with creativity and precision. She also has a chaotic, childlike personality and a flair for the dramatic. She thrives on control, manipulation, and the thrill of the chase. She isn’t the kind of character you’d expect to get a romantic arc. But enter Eve Polastri, an intelligence analyst who identifies Villanelle and becomes obsessed with her. Their relationship blurs the line between hunter and hunted, obsession and connection. As the series unfolds, Villanelle begins to question her own identity, discovering she has real, if complicated, feelings.

#15: Moira

“The Handmaid’s Tale” (2017-25)

In a world built to break women, Moira Strand refuses to bend. June’s best friend is one of the earliest and boldest rebels against Gilead’s control. It’s fair to say many of June’s later acts are inspired by Moira’s bravery. Moira pushes back against her captors at every turn; she fights, escapes, and refuses to accept the life forced on her. Her breakout from the Red Center is one of the show’s most satisfying acts of defiance. Even after being recaptured and sent to Jezebel’s, she never fully loses herself to her enslavement. When she finally makes it to Canada, Moira keeps up the fight by helping others who also escape Gilead.

#14: Nomi Marks

“Sense8” (2015-18)

A hacktivist with a psychic link to seven strangers, Nomi Marks operates on a different plane of existence. Based in San Francisco, she’s a skilled hacker and political blogger who exposes corrupt institutions. As a sensate, Nomi can tap into the knowledge and abilities of her cluster, making her a uniquely resourceful asset in every fight. She also navigates intense personal stakes, from family rejection to being targeted by powerful forces. Her identity as a transgender woman is central, but never limiting to her character. While everyone brings their own strengths to the cluster, Nomi often serves as both emotional core and moral compass.

#13: Lagertha

“Vikings” (2013-21)

Long before she ever claims a crown, Lagertha is already one of the fiercest fighters in Scandinavia. Introduced as Ragnar’s wife, she quickly proves she’s no one’s supporting character. As a shieldmaiden, Lagertha fights on the front lines with precision and fearlessness. But her story grows far beyond the battlefield. She rises to become an earl and later queen, navigating betrayal, shifting alliances, and constant threats to her power. Each time she’s pushed out, she finds a way back. Along the way she takes both men and women into her bed. Though, when she is finally slain and journeys to Valhalla in season six, we see that her heart ultimately belonged to Ragnar.

#12: Sara Lance

Arrowverse (2012-)

Sara is an original creation for The CW’s Arrowverse, but she was adapted from DC comics and most closely resembles the character Black Canary. After being swept away to sea, she was saved by Nyssa al Ghul, with whom she began a relationship, and trained with the League of Assassins. She proved to be so popular on “Arrow” that she became a major character in the spinoff “Legends of Tomorrow,” where she was able to show off her skills even more. Incredibly perseverant, not adversity, nor grief, nor even death itself can keep her down, and she has forged her way into the elite catalogue of DC heroes.

#11: Sophia Burset

“Orange Is the New Black” (2013-19)

Life inside Litchfield is tough, but Sophia Burset navigates conflict, violence, and despair to carve out a niche for herself. A former firefighter and skilled hairstylist, Sophia becomes a source of comfort and community for other inmates. Her story doesn’t shy away from the realities of being a transgender woman in prison, where she’s targeted for violence. When she’s placed in solitary confinement, apparently “for her own protection,” it highlights the system’s failures more than anything else. Through it all, Sophia refuses to be erased. Whether she’s advocating for herself or supporting others, she pushes back against a system that constantly tries to dehumanize her. By the end of the series, she secures early release and begins rebuilding her life on her own terms.

#10: Jack Harkness

“Doctor Who” (2005-) & “Torchwood” (2006-11)

Captain Jack Harkness was introduced in the first season of the revival of “Doctor Who,” and proved to be so popular he was awarded a spinoff series of his own. He’s a proudly omnisexual Time Agent from the 51st century who leads the group Torchwood, which investigates extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Though he’s a generally friendly guy, he doesn’t hesitate to take out anything or anyone that he views as a threat, exercising a moral ambiguity that the other characters don’t always agree with. As charming as he is deadly, he expanded the already vast “Doctor Who” universe into something much more.

#9: Cosima

“Orphan Black” (2013-17)

Cosima is one of the many clones created by Neolution. A PhD student in microbiology, she is essential in unraveling the central mystery behind the shady corporation, understanding the science behind the clones better than any of the others. Her astounding intelligence is her defining quality, but she’s also able to keep up with her other clones in dangerous and physically violent situations. She’s unabashedly herself, a self-described lesbian “geek monkey.” Cosima may not be badass in the same sense as other characters on this list, but she manages to prove her worth time and time again.

#8: Alex Danvers

“Supergirl” (2015-21)

Alex is the adoptive sister of Kara, AKA Supergirl. As a government agent, she’s had extensive training from the Department of Extra-Normal Operations, which she uses to train her super sister. She serves as Kara’s right-hand woman, but don’t call her a sidekick; she operates on her own terms. When she meets fellow badass Maggie Sawyer, a detective, she begins to come to terms with her sexuality. A well-rounded character who is just as complex as she is tough, she may not have powers, but in a world full of superheroes, she manages to hold her own.

#7: Rosa Diaz

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21)

At first glance, Rosa Diaz is all sharp edges and zero patience. Though she has some of the show’s best one-liners, she’s a fan favorite because she’s tough. Rosa is fearless in the field and rarely rattled by anything. The notable exception is her deeply private personal life. Rosa’s bisexuality is revealed later in the series, leading to one of its most grounded storylines as she comes out to her parents. She remains the same intensely private detective who always shows up when it counts, even if the smallest personal details still make her hilariously uncomfortable. She’s backed up by someone who understands her struggle: Raymond Holt—an openly gay black man in the NYPD who had to fight and claw his way to captain.

#6: Annalise Keating

“How to Get Away with Murder” (2014-20)

Annalise is a ruthless trial lawyer who is played to absolute perfection by the impeccable Viola Davis. Equal parts lovable and frightening, she will go to any length to protect her students, no matter what dark places she has to journey to. At every turn, she demands the respect she deserves and even allows us to see her vulnerability in rare moments. She makes no apologies for who she is: a black, bisexual, and perseverent woman who showcases bravery and ingenious quick thinking under immense pressure. Annalise is unlike anyone we’ve ever seen on television, and we hope she opens the door for more characters like her.

#5: Magnus & Alec

“Shadowhunters” (2016-19)

The warlock who’s lived for centuries and the rule-bound Shadowhunter didn't exactly have an easy start. Magnus is cocky, with miles of confidence shaped by a long lifetime of experience. Alec Lightwood is the buttoned-down type, guarded and ruled by discipline, duty, and tradition. Their relationship forces each to change and grow into one another. The writers knew they had stumbled across magic, dubbing the power couple “Malec” in a season one episode title. The name stuck with the fandom. Alec’s decision to come out is a major turning point for them, rejecting the heavy expectations that have defined his life. Magnus, in turn, allows himself to be vulnerable in ways he’s long avoided. Together, they navigate politics, danger, and personal doubt.

#4: Lexa

“The 100” (2014-20)

“The 100” doesn’t shy away from fluid sexuality onscreen. Case in point: the show’s hero, Clarke Griffin, who engages in a relationship with the possibly even more badass Lexa. She’s the pragmatic and insightful leader of the Grounders, managing to be tough and firm with both her allies and her enemies. With an impressive ability to keep her cool, she turns to violence when it’s necessary, though peace is her ultimate goal. Her sensitive side comes out when she begins to develop feelings for Clarke, after an antagonistic relationship. One look at that face paint tells you everything you need to know about her: she is not to be messed with.

#3: Omar Little

“The Wire” (2002-08)

Omar is unlike any other gay character that we’ve seen on television. He makes a living by robbing drug dealers, and has no qualms about what he does. Despite this, he shows a strict moral code by refusing to harm anyone whom he views as innocent. Tiptoeing the line between hero and villain, he’s a complex character who proves being a gay man and being a badass aren’t mutually exclusive. His nature is contrasted with his love for his boyfriends and the grandmother who raised him. In fact, Barack Obama named him as his favourite character from the series, noting the duality of his sexuality among other qualities.

#2: Willow Rosenberg

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

Willow begins the series as a shy bookworm who often finds herself needing saving. However, as the series progressed, she became more independent, becoming the brains of the Scooby Gang and later discovering witchcraft and exploring her sexuality. She becomes one of the series’ most powerful characters, even becoming one of Buffy’s toughest villains after her girlfriend’s devastating murder. Nevertheless, she returns to the good side and continues to kick ass and gives Buffy a run for her money as the show’s most badass character. Most importantly, her queerness was used as a way to progress her character development without defining her.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Henrietta Wilson, “9-1-1” (2018-)

Paramedic Henrietta Wilson Fights for Her Patients & Her Family with Equal Grit & Heart

Lafayette Reynolds, “True Blood” (2008-14)

Lafayette Reynolds Deals V, Reads People, & Never Backs Down from Any Challenge

Agron, “Spartacus” (2010-13)

Agron Is a Fierce Rebel Warrior Who Fights for Both Freedom & the Man He Loves

#1: Xena

“Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)

Even before “Will & Grace,” when queer representation on television was still very limited, Xena was already breaking ground. A former warlord seeking redemption, she travels the ancient world righting wrongs with unmatched skill and ferocity. Xena is a warrior above all—strategic, relentless, and nearly unstoppable in combat. Over time, she grows into a fully realized character. Her bond with Gabrielle begins as a close friendship and evolves into something deeper. Their relationship was never explicitly labeled, yet it was written, performed, and widely read as romantic. For many viewers, Xena was the first queer-coded hero they ever saw, let alone one leading a show—setting the template for many who followed.

Which LGBTQ+ TV character do you think is the ultimate badass? Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!