10 iconic female characters from historical dramas to celebrate Women’s History Month

1. Letitia “Leti” Lewis from Lovecraft Country

Jurnee Smollett is easily the breakout star from HBO’s horror series Lovecraft Country, based on the book of the same name by Matt Ruff, and one of the most recent additions to this collection of iconic female characters. Her work on the show has garnered her critical acclaim and several awards, including a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Critics’ Choice Super Awards and the Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

Lovecraft Country is about Atticus Freeman, who teams up with his friend Leti and his Uncle George to embark across Jim Crow American to find his missing father. Along the way, they encounter the horrific everyday racism of the country along with horrifying Lovecraftian monsters that could have emerged straight from one of his novels — many of which Atticus enjoys reading. The series also addresses the author’s well-known racism and effortlessly combines moving themes and storylines with genuinely terrifying horror.

Smollet is a dynamic and charismatic on-screen presence and has become a stellar new horror heroine. She does a fantastic job at imbibing the role with her natural good humor and charm while also layering Leti with many complex nuances that speak to the actress’s own experiences as a black woman in, not only America but also navigating Hollywood.

This list barely scratches the surface of the many iconic female characters we’ve seen in historical dramas, what are some of your favorites that we didn’t include this time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!