The best shows to watch to celebrate IWD 2024, as picked by our team.

By Radio Time Staff

Published: Thursday, 07 March 2024 at 16:00 PM


This year’s International Women’s Day is as important as ever, with the theme of ‘inspire inclusion’ shining a light on facets of our lives where we value women’s inclusion to create a sense of “belonging, relevance and empowerment“.

The day, which falls on 8th March, is also an important reminder of the positive female representation that does exist in TV (albeit with improvements to always be made) that should be celebrated all year round.

But if you’re looking for an excuse to tuck into a new female-led show, then consider this it!

From recent hits like the reimagined Dead Ringers, which stars Rachel Weisz, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story or more fan favourite shows such as Fleabag, Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters and Issa Rae’s influential Insecure, there are a lovely selection of titles that boast stellar female talent both in front of and behind the camera.

In honour of this year’s International Women’s Day, the RadioTimes.com team have put together a list of their favourite female-led central shows and where to watch them – so, happy IWD!

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix)

India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte in episode 102 of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story in a pink dress as people do her hair
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Liam Daniel/Netflix

It’s not very often that a prequel series or spin-off is miles better than the original, but Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is an exception to the rule. Seen by many Bridgerton fans as simply a stop-gap between seasons 1 and 2, the Queen Charlotte spin-off is a magnificent period drama in its own right.

Centred on Golda Rosheuvel’s formidable monarch, we get eye-opening insight into her younger years. Played by India Amarteifio as the young Charlotte, the series has the same whimsical and romantic feel as the original, but was decidedly more upfront about issues such as race and mental health. A special shoutout also has to go to Arsema Thomas as the young Lady Danbury, providing a performance that is all too memorable and crying out for a prequel series of her own. – Morgan Cormack

For Sama (Channel 4)

Waad al-Kateab holding baby Sama on her chest.
Waad al-Kateab and Sama al-Kateab in For Sama.
Channel 4

There’s a reason why this documentary went down in history as the most nominated documentary in BAFTA’s history, and went on to be nominated for an Oscar upon its release in 2019. An epic tale of love and loss, this film follows journalist and filmmaker Waad al-Kateab through five years of her life in Aleppo, Syria, before and during the Battle of Aleppo.

From being an 18-year-old student at university in 2011 to falling in love and giving birth to daughter Sama, we follow Waad and her husband Hamza as they’re forced to navigate the conflict that has engulfed their city, eventually having to decide whether to flee or stay in Aleppo to help others. – Morgan Cormack

Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters (Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW)