So, what is Apple TV doing to find its place in the streaming world? After all, Apple TV+ was late to the streaming game. It didn’t launch until November 2019. Apple TV Plus’s mission is to create and stream original content, from shows and movies, to documentaries and limited series.

Not only are they creating successful content that aligns with their message, but they’re also doing an excellent job representing a myriad of women from various cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. From strong, never-before-seen female characters in front of the camera, to a growing representation of women behind the camera, Apple TV Plus is leading the charge for strong women in television.

So how is Apple’s streaming service leading the charge for strong women?

Why Apple TV Plus is Different

     Apple TV Inc.

Apple TV Plus is different from the other services because they waited so long to launch, giving them the time to find themselves and develop content that aligns with their brand and mission. Unlike other streaming services that heavily rely on cult classics and content that already exists, and has a strong following, Apple TV+ hit the ground running with an unmatched amount of original content.

One of the first significant shows from Apple TV Plus is The Morning Show, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, two women arguably tied for the position of America’s Sweetheart. Instead of having a television show on cable television that already had a large following, the streaming service opted to choose a cast of actors with a loyal following. The Morning Show was the first significant show the platform pushed when it launched, spotlighting women in television, and it never stopped producing content that celebrates women.

Women Behind the Camera

Not only are Aniston and Witherspoon very talented actors with resumes going back 30+ years, but the two are also very involved behind the camera. They are both executive producers on the show, working hard to ensure women’s voices are being heard, and showcased accurately.

With 14 out of 20 episodes directed by women, Apple TV Plus is also opening doors for more women to have the chance to direct and produce. Another new show to hit Apple TV Plus recently, Loot, stars Maya Rudolph and boasts big names behind the camera, including Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Natasha Lyonne, and Maya Rudolph as executive producers.

Roles for women are expanding, especially at Apple TV Plus, both behind the camera and on screen.

Women in Front of the Camera

There are so many shows on Apple TV+ that celebrate and showcase women in a variety of new and interesting ways. From women’s solid and exciting roles in Ted Lasso to coming-of-age stories about a hearing girl in a deaf family in CODA.

What’s interesting about the female roles on Apple TV Plus is that they are incredibly unique. They’re not just siding with characters that help the main character reach their goal. They are fully fleshed-out human beings with whole, colorful lives. A show can have lots of women in the cast, but if their characters are dull or not fully representative of real, everyday women, it doesn’t work. Apply TV Plus showcases girls with complex feelings, the relationships between mothers and daughters, and what it means to navigate girlhood and womanhood.

These roles for women are relatively new, especially in large and frequent capacities. And they’re doing well. CODA, a small indie on one of the latest streaming platforms, wasn’t just a great movie seen by a few folks. It went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2022.

What to Watch

Plenty of top-tier streaming recommendations on Apple TV+ showcase how the steaming service is leading the charge for women in television. If you’re looking for a new show to stream on Apple TV+, plenty of great options are available.

If you’re looking for a music documentary, check out Billie Eilish’s documentary, The World’s A Little Blurry. Those looking for a show that is unique and strange, but follows the lives of eight different women through eight distinct episodes, can explore ROAR. ROAR stars Issa Rae, Nicole Kidman, Meera Syal, Cynthia Erivo, and several other big names.

For a show following a girl as she finds her voice after her parents’ divorce, based on the Paula Danziger book series, Amber Brown is showcasing women and girls on television.