Kim Possible
Kim Possible, 2002
Running for four seasons, two movies, multiple video games and a
live action film, as well as featuring an instantly recognisable
theme song performed by R&B singer Christina Milian, Kim was an
instant icon. Her baggy cargo pants and crop top combo still looks
stylish two decades on, and the animators kitted her out with many,
many more excellent 'fits, too. She cheerleads, fails driving tests
and defeats supervillains.
In summary: she's your basic
average girl and she's here to save the world.
Watch now on Disney Plus
Sydney Bristow
Alias, 2001
In 2001, in the wake of female-centred shows like Buffy The Vampire
Slayer, Xena Warrior Princess and La Femme Nikita, JJ Abrams, the
man who would one day unite Star Wars and Star Trek fans in
distaste, gave us this drama about a CIA double agent trying to keep
her espionage life secret. Star Jennifer Garner, like Sarah Michelle
Gellar and Kristen Bell, proved more than capable of carrying a
serial, and has blessed a bunch of hit films since.
Watch now on Disney Plus
Natasha Romanoff
Marvel Comics, 1964
Natalya Romanova. Natasha Romanoff. Black Widow.
First appearing in the 1960s as a Russian villain (there were a few
of those), by the time the '70s came around she'd fully become One
Of The Good Guys and has since been written by some of the best
female writers in comics (including Devin Grayson, Kelly Thompson,
and horror icons The Soska Sisters). Bought to the big screen by
Scarlett Johansson for the MCU, she's now an extremely well known
character, as she deserves.
Discover Kelly Thompson's Black Widow with Marvel Unlimited
here
Watch Black Widow on Disney Plus
Sam, Clover and Alex
Totally Spies, 2001
A French show inspired by animé aesthetics, set in and largely
written in California, that sought to meld Clueless with James Bond.
Britney was big and our heroines' get-up was straight out of the
Oops I Did It Again music video.
The show is currently on its seventh season, and has spawned a movie
and video games. Plus it's just fun.
Watch on YouTube
Wai Lin
Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997
Nobody thinks this is the peak of the Bond franchise. Goldeneye had
just come along and impressed some folks (while also absolutely
failing to do anything whatsoever about the franchise's inherent
misogyny issues), and this film just offered more one-liners, a
silly Rupert Murdoch villain and... look, it's not for everyone. But
I just need to say a couple words.
Michelle Yeoh.
Buy or rent on Amazon
Lorraine Broughton
Atomic Blonde, 2017
Another comic book adaptation, no one has ever been or looked as
cool as Charlize Theron in this espionage action thriller. The
violence - and there is plenty - is intimate, brutal and
bone-crunching. Blows stagger and daze against a backdrop of
flawless mise-en-scène, and Lorraine herself is a sharp, compelling
and morally grey protagonist.
Buy or Rent on Amazon Prime
Watch on Apple TV
Susan Cooper
Spy, 2015
It's goddamn Melissa McCarthy in a Paul Feig movie, and if that's
your thing I'm sure you've seen this already. Is she wild and out of
control in this one? Not so much! Jason Statham is on hand to
deliver an absolutely bananas performance with the straightest of
faces, which frees our girl up to be a little more nuanced as the
CIA analyst-turned-spy. Great fun.
Buy or Rent on Amazon Prime
Peggy Carter
Agent Carter, 2015
When Marvel's Agent Carter began, a good friend of mine messaged me
to tell me about it. "There's a woman," she informed me, "And she
does things!"
Horrifying to think that the last two decades
have brought the bar this low but nonetheless I was SOLD. Anyway,
she was right. This show is great. Hayley Atwell is wonderful in the
titular role - charming, charismatic, likeable - and I had a great
time.
Watch on Disney Plus
Emma Peel
The Avengers, 1961
Technically the second Avenger from the '60s to grace this list,
Diana Rigg played the certified genius slash martial artist
slash
spy. Also the second Avenger to grace this list
with a tight & shiny black costume. I guess they hand women PVC
outfits on graduating Spy School. Anyway, she became a feminist icon
for good reason - Mrs Peel is EXTREMELY capable.
Watch on Apple TV
Watch on Amazon Prime