Heather (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend):
Heather (Vella Lovell) soon becomes Rebecca Bunch’s (Rachael Bloom) best friend upon her introduction to the TV musical/dark comedy series. Rather than a typical ‘best friend’ arc, Heather’s arc has her own life whilst being a supporting friend. Her trademark wit and sarcasm contrasts so well with her being a genuinely good person and friend that you wish her the best. She’s an absolute scene stealer as a character who is very unexpected in a musical!
She begins the series as our protagonist’s neighbour and lives with her parents, before moving in with Rebecca, whilst taking every class possible at community college in an attempt not to graduate. (Relatable, right? Graduating and change is nerve-wracking!) As the seasons progress, she eventually has to graduate, which leads us into an hilarious song called ‘The Moment Is Me’. It’s already surprising for the character to sing a solo but hearing a very dejected Heather reluctantly sing the most inspirational musical theatre ballad Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-19) ever produced is just perfect. Please, please, listen to her songs- the acting and lyrics so clearly encapsulate Heather!
Donna Noble (Doctor Who):
Doctor Who (2005-) has treated its’ female characters brilliantly over the years; they’re independent with their own lives. Yes, sometimes they’re dependent on the Doctor and several end up falling in love with him. Honestly, if you were offered the chance to travel through space and time, well, who wouldn’t join the Doctor in the TARDIS? Donna (Catherine Tate) is somebody who doesn’t hide this desire, although she is very much not in love with him!
Donna Noble and the Tenth Doctor (David Tenant) had fantastic platonic chemistry. Appearing in a few episodes before taking a permanent role as the Doctor’s assistant was a brilliant decision in establishing Donna as a fully fleshed out person with her own life and choices. Partners in Crime opens Season 4 of Doctor Who with the perfect mix of quips between the Doctor and Donna and essential teamwork. It leaves the audience awaiting more adventures and Donna denying any relationship between the two as she exclaims “Well, you’re not mating with me, sunshine!” to a very perplexed Doctor.
Grace & Frankie (2015-22):
It’s the beautiful and chaotic friendship between Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) that drives the show forward and keeps me rewatching so it’s for the best I can’t pick between them!
Grace and Frankie begin at dinner with their husbands, Robert (Martin Sheen) and Sol (Sam Waterson) respectively, breaking the news that they are gay and in love with each other. It’s a reveal that shocks the 70-year-olds lives and something they were not expecting to happen! So, with everything changing they end up living together at the beach house, despite having never gotten along in many decades.
Why would they get on? Grace is strict, the founder of Say Grace cosmetics company, quite cold and an independent character rarely seen without a martini. Frankie is free-spirited, often smokes drugs, a people-person, disorganised and an independent character who loves to eat at Del Taco. Yet, they form a gorgeous friendship that we would all be honoured to have in our later lives.