TV’s Kick-Ass Women: The Leading Ladies of Blindspot, Limitless, Quantico and Supergirl

Who doesn’t love a wonder woman? “She saved the world. A lot,” a premature Buffy the Vampire Slayer tombstone once read, and the stakes are just as high for this season’s dynamic wave of fearless femmes fatales. Flying high and taking aim, they uphold a proud TV tradition of subverting gender expectations. Cross these damsels, and you’ll know distress.

Here are highlights from our latest issue, celebrating TV’s new kick-ass women:

Blindspot’s Jaimie Alexander, on her character, tattooed amnesiac (turned badass FBI operative) Jane Doe: “I’ve waited a long time for a role like this. For my particular skill set—meaning the physicality and then the emotional roller coaster these characters go on—there were no parts for me… I want to show that this [type of role] can be done with a female and that I can be equally captivating. I bust my ass every day to make sure that is on point.”

Limitless’ Jennifer Carpenter, on her character, FBI agent (and partner to drug-enhanced supergenius Brian Finch) Rebecca Harris: “A common mistake in television is that people who chase criminals always act like they’re gonna die if they don’t catch them. Sure, it’s disappointing if you don’t, but here’s the reality: Law enforcers like Rebecca go home at night and become somebody’s wife or mother, lover or friend. She’s not ruined by ambition. Competition can kill a person just as easily as a criminal can.”

Quantico’s Priyanka Chopra, on her character, FBI trainee (and suspected terrorist) Alex Parrish: “I’m a machine! I can make four movies a year. I like to work extra hard because I do love my job. To me, Quantico seems like a really long movie. The difference is that in features we do maybe two scenes a day, and now I’m doing nine! … [on the intense fight scenes]: I really enjoy it. I think God originally intended to make me a boy. I enjoy doing lots of things typically meant for a man.”

Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist, on her character, the last daughter of Krypton (and you-know-who’s cousin), Kara Danvers, aka Supergirl: “She is a beacon of hope and stands for what’s good. She truly believes in doing what’s right and helping people. And yeah, it is extremely important that she’s a female, but you’re not going to remember her for that. You’re going to remember her for her bravery and how awesome she is. I hope people are in awe of her.”