She's Having An Episode

For our season one finale, we’re discussing the inimitable DAENERYS TARGARYEN from Game of Thrones! Daenerys, brought to screen by Emilia Clarke, had one of the most shocking and intriguing journeys of just about any character in HBO’s history. From an exiled and vulnerable princess to the Breaker of Chains and Queen of the Andals and the First Men, sis quite literally set fire to the world that k...

This week we are not only discussing the brilliant character of Jen from Extraordinary, but chatting show’s screenwriter and creator, Emma Moran! Jen, played by Máiréad Tyers, is quite literally struggling to find her power in a world where just about everyone else has a superpower. Throughout the first season, Jen’s power-find mission is simple, but her journey isn’t; as well as all the challenge...

…and this week we’re discussing Julie Cooper, from The OC (which is celebrating its 20th anniversary)! Julie, played by Melinda Clarke, is a woman who dedicated much of her life to Newport Beach's upper echelons, making more than a few enemies…and lovers…along the way. Some might call her a villain, and sure, sleeping with your daughter’s boyfriend does warrant such a title, but Julie story is mar...

This week we are discussing Amina Hussein from Nida Manzoor's We Are Lady Parts! Amina, played by Anjana Vassan, is the PHD student-cum-guitar teacher at the heart of this truly exceptional show. Over six short but sensational episodes, Amina is forced to navigate the cultural expectations of her family and friends, while figuring out if she can actually be part of an all-female Muslim punk band w...

This character, on the back of her cameo in And Just Like That, is Sex and The City’s ICONIC Samantha Jones. Samantha, played by Kim Cattrall, stands as a tour de force of liberation and sexual empowerment, which, quite frankly, we didn’t see a lot of on TV in the 90s. Over 6 seasons, her uninhibited approach to life became a touchstone for women and girls everywhere, redefining societal norms wit...

This week we’re discussing Cristina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy (!!!). Cristina, played by Sandra Oh, was Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital’s fiercest surgeon. Over ten seasons, we saw Cristina grow from a relentlessly ambitious intern to a fearless and inspiring head surgeon…and Meredith Grey’s person, of course. With sardonic wit and an unparalleled dedication to challenging the status quo, both in and...

Call My Agent's Andrea, Martel played by Camille Cottin, is a force to be reckoned with. In the cutthroat world she’s make her own, Andrea stops at nothing to ensure her clients' success. Or her own. She has the kind of authoritarian charm most mere humans can only dream of possessing, marking a journey of many wins, motivating losses, and more than a few sacrifices…all of which made us go, well,...

This week we're discussing Grace Williams from Bad Sisters (the incredible Sharon Horgan adaptation that had so fantastic female characters we could dedicate an entire season to this show alone). Alas! Just one for today. Grace, played by Anne-Marie Duff, is the sincere, second eldest sister of the Garvey family, long-suffering wife of The Prick, and so much more -- even if he didn’t want her...

Fresh Prince's Hilary Banks, played by Karyn Parsons, was the vivacious eldest daughter of the wealthy Banks family. But she ended up being much more than a spoiled socialite. While initially portrayed as a self-centered fashion gal, Hilary undergoes quite the journey of self-discovery over six seasons. In fact, it’s mostly what’s under those killer clothes that made us go, well, SHE’S HAVING AN E...

Libby Epstein, ​​played by Lizzy Caplan, is kiiiiind of the secret protagonist of the TV adaptation of Fleishman Is In Trouble. Based on the novel by journalist Taffy Brodeser-Akner, Libby is the narrator of what first appears to be Dr. Toby’s post-divorce story, but we soon learn that she too is struggling to come to terms with the state of her marriage and her broader identity — particularly as...

Poussey Washington, played by the inimitable Samira Wiley, was one of many brilliant women who filled the halls of Litchfield Penitentiary in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Through the four series we got to spend with her, Poussey’s journey traversed issues of race, identity, sexuality, and female friendship in ways that have stayed with us for years, and made us go…well, SHE’S HAVING AN EPISODE. The...

Phoebe Buffay is a character that needs no introduction, but we'll give you one anyway. In ‘Friends’, the legendary musician-cum-masseuse was played by Lisa Kudrow -- a role for which she won the Primetime Emmy and got nominated for a Golden Globe. From her unorthodox upbringing on the streets of New York to her eventual marriage to none other than hall-pass-favourite Paul Rudd, Phoebe Buffay’s di...

Welcome to 'She's Having an Episode,' a podcast dedicated to celebrating TV's very best female characters. Hosted by journalist Aisling O'Leary (the irish one) and screenwriter Lela London (the American one). Our first three episodes will be released next Monday, so follow on your preferred podcast platform now, and do feel free to send any character recommendations to hello@sheshavinganepisode.co...