15 Kickass Women on Television

Today, let’s give it up for the ladies! I love watching a television show that includes one badass woman. For example, there is nothing better than watching Emily VanCamp show off her fighting skills on ABC’s “Revenge.” From fighting crime to showcasing fighting skills to just using their overall intelligence, the following women encompass it all. There’s also nothing quite like seeing one woman take down an evil group of people and stand up for what she believes in. So, in honor of these badass beauties, here are 15 kickass women on TV.

1. Sydney Bristow

Portrayed by the ever so lovely, Jennifer Garner, Sydney Bristow was everything on the ABC hit “Alias.” As a spy for the U.S. government, Sydney never let the audience down when it came to beating up the bad guys or torturing them for information. One of my favorite moments is in the pilot. After having her teeth pulled during a torture scene, Sydney shows up at the CIA with bright red hair and blood smeared on her face ready to give up SD-6 aka the bad guys she had no idea she was working for. Can you say total badass?

2. “New” Nikita

One of today’s current kickass TV women is Nikita on The CW’s “Nikita.” Maggie Q does an outstanding job of showcasing Nikita’s rough and tough skills as a rogue agent trying to get justice for herself, and also better the world one punch, shot and kick to the face at a time. Even though she didn’t originate the role of Nikita, Maggie Q certainly does the part and TV show absolute justice.

3. “Old” Nikita

If the new Nikita is included, we must include the old Nikita. In “La Femme Nikita,” actress Peta Wilson portrayed Nikita, like Maggie Q. The show had a similar premise to the current one airing, but of course the women are two completely different badasses. Wilson was a tenacious woman who didn’t let anyone stand in her way of getting what she wanted, except for maybe her lover Michael, but only on certain occasions.

4. Emily Thorne

As a fan of “Revenge,” how can you not love Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke? She is out for revenge, after her father was falsely accused of being responsible for a terrorist attack. If that isn’t bad enough, he was also murdered in jail. Played by the amazing Emily VanCamp, she is one scary chick whose mind is just as badass as her fighting skills.

5. Ziva David

Ziva David, on “NCIS,” is the definition of kickassness. Played by the beautiful Cote de Pablo, Ziva was once a former Israeli Mossad assassin, and now is a full-time agent at NCIS. She is one woman I would never want to mess with. Ziva does what it takes to get the job done; after all, she did kill her own brother, Ari, to save her boss/friend/father figure Gibbs.

6. Olivia Dunham

As FBI Agent Olivia Dunham on “Fringe,” Anna Torv did a remarkable job of portraying a badass woman on TV. At the beginning of the series, she is handpicked and assigned to the FBI’s Fringe Division task force that handles some of the most bizarre cases. Anyone who can handle weird, supernatural, freaky science experiments is kickass in my book.

7. Carrie Mathison

Award-winning actress Claire Danes portrays tough CIA officer Carrie Mathison on Showtime's smash hit “Homeland.” As one of the most talked about shows on television, Danes never let’s the audience down for her impeccable portrayal of a government agent who has to handle some of the toughest investigations on TV.

8. Kate Beckett

When she isn’t dealing with her romance with author Rick Castle, or handling her mother’s murder investigation, NYPD Detective Kate Beckett is fighting crime in New York City on ABC’s “Castle.” Beckett, played by Stana Katic, is one tough cookie, but is of course loved for both her badass qualities and ability to handle Castle’s funny business.

9. Kono

Actress Grace Park plays Kono on CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0,” but don’t let her tiny frame fool you. She sure can battle the big guys, just like her partners Danny, Steve and cousin Chin. Let’s also praise the network for transforming the original Kono - played by a man - into a cool woman who fits right in with the boys.

10. Annie Walker

On USA Network’s “Covert Affairs,” Piper Perabo portrays CIA Agent Annie Walker. The former “Coyote Ugly” actress truly shines as a badass government employee who travels the world - a good amount of the time in disguise - battling evil and bringing down the bad guys to better her country.

11. Olivia Pope

Kerry Washington’s role as Olivia Pope on ABC’s sexy hit “Scandal” might not be your typical kickass woman, but who says kickass is defined as someone who fights and is a CIA operative? Olivia is kickass in her own way. She is an acting crisis manager running her own consulting firm aka helping people sweep their secrets under the rug. She is even good at hiding her own lies, like the fact she had an affair with the President of the United States.

12. Caroline Forbes

Caroline Forbes, played by blonde bombshell Candice Accola, on “The Vampire Diaries” is the definition of a supernatural badass. She may look sweet on the outside, but Caroline is one frightening vampire. You don’t want to get on her bad side, because she will do anything to protect her family, friends and especially her one true love, Tyler.

13. Emma Swan

Fairytale characters can be kickass too! Now, Emma Swan, played by Jennifer Morrison, isn’t a traditional fairytale character per se, but she is Snow White’s and Prince Charming’s kid so that qualifies her as one. Anyway, Emma was basically thrown into fairytale land and adapted very quickly. I mean she is pretty great at sword fights, battling ogres and standing up to the Evil Queen.

14. Jessica Pearson

As Jessica Pearson on the hit drama “Suits,” Gina Torres doesn’t participate in physical battles, but as a top-notch lawyer, her mind is one kickass tool. As a law school graduate, Jessica has fought for her managing partnership at the Pearson-Hardman firm - now just Pearson. Anyone who can go up against, and take down, slimy Daniel Hardman is pretty badass.

15. Xena

How can we have such a list and not include Lucy Lawless? Of course, she is widely known for making the role of “Xena: Warrior Princess” popular. From sporting a leather bodice to using a sword to her hardcore armor, Xena is a kickass warrior trying to fulfill her destiny.

Who is your favorite past and present kickass woman on TV?