The 75th Golden Globes aired earlier this week, and if anything stood out, it was the accolades for the strong female storytelling that’s been missing in years past. HBO's Big Little Lies made a big splash, winning in four categories: Best Television Limited Series; Nicole Kidman for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series (fellow co-star Reese Witherspoon was also a nominee in the same category); Laura Dern for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series; and Alexander Skarsgard for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series.
It’s no surprise that the A-list talent and world class storytelling of Big Little Lies earned a top spot. The series, produced by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman came away with 16 Emmy Award nominations and eight wins last year. The show itself centered around female friendships and the struggles of abusive relationships, but what made the story unique was how women were portrayed as the plot-drivers while the men were cast in supporting roles.
Other award-winning shows and nominees that centered around the female perspective included Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Showtime’s comedic TV series SMILF, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Netflix’s The Crown.
The emphasis on strong female characters and female-plot driven shows is important now more than ever amid the revelations of female harassment and abuse scandals not just in Hollywood and the entertainment space but in many aspects of society.
Awards shows have come into contention in recent years for the omission of the diverse talent and stories that make up American culture. But if this year's Golden Globe nominees and winners are any indication, TV and Hollywood are taking a step in the right direction.