Because you like Bernard Black in Black Books

Ellen Ripley defines the word "badass." When she's not leading her crew on an interstellar voyage, she's slaying terrifying creatures. See them in Alien.

Arwen has to choose between a life of loneliness or love and inevitible death, both rather unfortunate options. See them in The Lord of the Rings.

Curving free kicks and crosses is tough, but keeping her soccer passion from her disapproving family is way tougher for Jess. See them in Bend It Like Beckham.

Arizona Robbins loves being a pediatric surgeon, and the cute orthopedic surgeon downstairs makes coming into work worth her while. See them in Grey's Anatomy.

Calling Alicia Florrick a "good wife" is damning this smart, capable, thoughtful woman with too-faint praise. See them in The Good Wife.

Big Boss is a disillusioned mercenary commander who wants to create a world for soldiers (and soldiers alone). See them in Metal Gear Series.

Mike Wheeler loves Dungeons and Dragons, even after his real life starts imitating the game. See them in Stranger Things.

Celie Johnson says she's poor, black, and may even be ugly. But dear God she's here. See them in The Color Purple.

As Marlena Rosenbluth is finding out, confidence in the limelight doesn't always translate to power at home. See them in Water for Elephants.

The singer and ukulele player of her girl band, Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk is the life of a party and the woman of a man's dreams. See them in Some Like It Hot.

Loyal to his family and associates and distrustful of anyone else, Tony Soprano is a good guy to have on your side. See them in The Sopranos.

Faith has a chip on her shoulder and a stake in her hand to slay vampires in her town. See them in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.