How often do you hear the phrase “strong male characters?” Probably not very much, but the entertainment industry is quick to point out whenever a “strong female woman” makes it on screen. And Shonda Rhimes is sick of it.
Yesterday afternoon, the producer and creator of some of the most beloved female-driven shows, such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How To Get Away With Murder,” made the case that although using phrases like “strong female character” or “smart female lead” might be well-intentioned, these qualifiers are not just redundant and condescending.
“Okay,” she tweeted on Thursday. “Entertainment industry, time to stop using the phrases ‘Smart Strong Women’ and ‘Strong Female Leads’. There are no Dumb Weak Women. A smart strong woman is just a WOMAN. Also? ‘Women’ are not a TV trend — we’re half the planet.”
Her remarks started a conversation about how these descriptors are a disservice to women, because they imply that brainy, independent women are a rare sight that needs to be applauded or pointed out. As she explains, the industry should assume that women are already strong and smart, the way they generally do with male characters. Twitter users noted that these terms can also be limiting, since being constantly painted as strong doesn’t always leave much room for complexity or nuance, which is often celebrated in brooding, tortured male characters like the Don Drapers and Walter Whites of the TV world.
A few hours after Rhimes initiated the discussion, Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain chimed in to say, “Yes to this. I’m always told I play ‘strong women.’ Lets pleasw use the phrase ‘well written women’ in its place ALL WOMEN ARE STRONG WOMEN.”
It’s not the first time Rhimes has spoken up about how the industry characterizes female characters. As part of an interview series for Time back in 2017, Rhimes said, “Every time someone says, ‘How do you write such smart, strong women?’ I find it appalling because it suggests that there are stupid, weak women and that’s who is generally out there.”