Representing women as “tomboys” in successful TV series

By Silvia Fanti, January 27 2025

In recent successful TV series, the figure of the tomboy is often used as a tool to challenge traditional gender stereotypes. However, a deeper analysis reveals that these representations, despite their apparent break from conventional models, tend to fall back into new forms of stereotypes. Characters such as Villanelle in Killing Eve, Wednesday Addams in Wednesday, and the protagonists of Yellowjackets provide fascinating insights into this phenomenon.

From Killing Eve to Yellowjackets

Villanelle’s portrayal in Killing Eve presents a mix of strength and allure, characterized by an androgynous appearance and a sexual freedom that defies conventions. However, her complexity is often overshadowed by her depiction as a “problematic woman,” whose destructive behaviors and inability to form healthy relationships reinforce the idea that a strong woman must inevitably be emotionally unstable or dangerous. Additionally, her highly aestheticized representation shifts the focus towards her physical appearance and style rather than her inner depth.

In Wednesday, the titular character embodies the tomboy archetype with her dark style and rebellious behavior. This captivating and complex image, however, is built around an isolation that nearly entirely defines her. Wednesday’s solitary genius appears to sacrifice empathy and emotional connection, reinforcing the notion that female independence must necessarily coincide with emotional detachment. Furthermore, the lack of vulnerability in her character limits the possibility of a more nuanced and multidimensional representation of female strength.

The protagonists of Yellowjackets expand on the tomboy concept within a context that explores survival, trauma, and relational complexity. Yet even here, dynamics emerge that perpetuate stereotypes. Their identities are often shaped by traumatic pasts, suggesting that strength and independence must necessarily stem from painful experiences. Moreover, their detachment from conventional gender roles is marked by an almost total rejection of traditional femininity, as if it were essential to justify their resilience.

Confirming issues by challenging stereotypes

These representations highlight a tension between the desire to break away from stereotypes and the inability to transcend certain entrenched narrative structures. Tomboy characters are portrayed as strong and unconventional, but often at the expense of their emotional and human complexity. Narratives seem to demand that these figures sacrifice aspects of their personalities to maintain their image of strength and independence. True diversity in representation involves not only breaking away from traditional roles but also avoiding the trap of confining female characters to new archetypes. While tomboy figures aim to challenge conventions, they often fall into predictable patterns that equate strength with emotional detachment or traumatic origins. This limited framing excludes the broader spectrum of feminine strength, which can include empathy, collaboration, and joy as sources of power. 

To construct more authentic representations, it is essential to move beyond the dichotomy of strength and vulnerability, showcasing characters who can embody the tomboy archetype without being defined solely by their opposition to traditional gender roles. Narratives should delve deeper into the complexity of these figures, celebrating their emotions, contradictions, and capacity for growth by embracing the idea that strength can coexist with traditionally feminine qualities, breaking down the binary notions that have historically shaped portrayals of women. Only then will it be possible to definitively break away from stereotypes, creating representations that honor the diversity of female experiences in all their richness and complexity.