There are many TV shows out there that celebrate female friendships, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to look at some of the most iconic TV female friendships.
Galentine’s Day is celebrated on February 13, just one day before Valentine’s Day. It’s a day that focuses on female friendships and how they support and empower each other. Amy Poehler‘s Leslie Knope made the term famous in Parks and Recreation, where her character used to take out her female friends for a day of fun.
— out of context parks and rec (@nocontextpawnee) February 13, 2023
Michael Schur‘s Parks & Rec team created the term in season 2, episode 16 titled “Galentine’s Day.” However, since then, the holiday has expanded. Even Michelle Obama shared a photo on social media celebrating Galentine’s Day in 2020. Because of that, on this Galentine’s Day, we decided to take a look at some of the TV shows that celebrate female friendships in no particular order.
10. Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies is a series that shows the power of friendship. Five women’s lives, who apparently had nothing in common, change after a shocking death, so they stick together to protect each other. Big Little Lies was initially meant to be a limited series, based on Liane Moriarty‘s same-titled novel, but the show has been renewed for a second season. Less critically acclaimed than the first, Big Little Lies’ season 2 reinforced the bond that Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman), Jane (Shailene Woodley), Renata (Laura Dern), and Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz) had. The show will also return with season 3.
9. Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy has had everything, but amid the heartbreaks and the drama, something stands out: Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina’s (Sandra Oh) friendship. The two met on their first day as interns and bonded instantly. They were there for each other, despite numerous trama throughout the seasons. They knew each other better than anyone, and showed mutual respect and support for each other through everything.
8. Insecure
Insecure was a show that revolved around the challenges and triumphs black women faced in their 20s. Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) had their awkward experiences and clashed several times throughout the show’s five seasons, but they always supported each other. Despite their controversial fights, the show portrayed a realistic friendship between two adults, and Issa and Molly always had each other’s back.
7. Friends
Friends is one of the most defining shows about friendship. Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) were roommates and had been friends since high school. Although they had their fair share of fights throughout the 10 seasons, they always managed to put their friendship first. Alongside Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), the three of them supported each other through everything, whether it was weddings, heartbreaks, or career fails. On top of that, the three actresses had amazing chemistry and are still friends. Although Parks & Rec came after Friends, the three would surely celebrate Galentine’s Day.
6. One Tree Hill
Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) and Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton) prove One Tree Hill is one of the TV shows that would celebrate Galentine’s Day. Their friendship included a lot of drama, heartbreaks, and difficult moments. One Tree Hill premiered in 2003 and it oftentimes proved that it is the product of its time. Paired up with the highly problematic creator and showrunner Mark Schwahn, there are several instances where the drama series didn’t age well.
However, Peyton and Brooke always gravitated towards each other and showed their support in every difficult moment. Which is no small feat, because the two went through many dramatic events. Despite the initial love triangle with Lucas, Brooke and Peyton’s friendship, alongside Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) was one of the most touching and beloved themes of OTH.
5. Firefly Lane
Firefly Lane was based on Kristin Hannah‘s novel of the same name, and it followed Tully (Katherine Heigl) and Kate (Sarah Chalke), whose friendship spanned over three decades. They began their friendship when they were in school, and their entire life they had been inseparable. Far from perfect, their relationship had been through a lot. It proved that friends are the family you choose, and Tully and Kate worked hard to keep their friendship, despite several hardships along the way.
Netflix renewed the series for a second season, which put their friendship to the test when Tully endangered Kate’s daughter, Marah. However, Tully and Kate proved they really were in through thick and thin, especially through Kate’s cancer battle. Their bond and insane chemistry proved Tully and Kate are one of the best friendships on TV.
4. Sex and the City
Sex and the City is one of the staple shows when it comes to female friendship. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) encountered many hardships throughout the original show’s run. However, the series (and its subsequent two films) proved they were really friends forever. The four women’s bond survived everything (including distance, based on And Just Like That… where Samantha lives in London), despite several fights, dramas, and disagreements.
3. The Bold Type
The highly underrated The Bold Type is a comedy that celebrates female friendship throughout. There is no useless drama, back-stabbing, or pettiness when it comes to Jane (Katie Stevens), Sutton (Meghann Fahy), and Kat’s (Aisha Dee) friendship. The three are a dynamic, diverse, and complex group as they navigate their careers, love lives, and expectations and their support for each other is inspiring. They constantly made each other better, never competed against each other, nor were they threatened by each other’s success. The Bold Type is one of the TV shows that celebrates what Galentine’s Day is about.
2. Dead To Me
Netflix’s dark comedy series Dead to Me had Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Linda Cardellini) start an unlikely friendship. The two were very different, and a dark secret lay behind their friendship. However, despite several traumas and challenges, their surprisingly beautiful, authentic adult friendship allowed them to heal and overcome several struggles.
1. Parks and Recreation
The holiday wouldn’t come to be without Parks and Recreation‘s Leslie Knope wanting to celebrate her friendships. Whether it was with Ann Perkins or April, Leslie Knope was a true feminist always supporting her friends. She gave Ann thoughtful gifts that showed how much she cared, and constantly supported her and April. Having a holiday that supports female friendship like Galentine’s Day proves Parks & Rec was one of the TV shows that celebrated not just love, but friendship, independence, and truly empowered women.
