Cover Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur in ‘Sweet Magnolias’ (Photo: Netflix)
Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur in ‘Sweet Magnolias’ (Photo: Netflix)
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From Brooklyn to Stars Hollow, these fictional female friendships are the kind you’d fight to be a part of
The White Lotus season 3 dives headfirst into the complexities of female friendship with its portrayal of the “Blonde Blob” played by Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Laurie (Carrie Coon), peeling back layers of jealousy, power play and emotional co-dependence. Each scene is raw, recognisable and, at times, far too close to home, which is especially true with Laurie’s piercing finale monologue. Was it an acceptance of their differences or a resignation to the fact that making friends is hard and nobody wants to be out there trying?
While the dynamics of their (some would call toxic) bond feel truer than most glossy portrayals of women on screen, let’s be honest—we’d rather watch it unfold from the safety of our sofas. For all its authenticity, it’s not the kind of female friendship anyone is queuing to join. Below, we round up ten fictional female friendships that are aspirational for all the right reasons.
Read more: Our 8 favourite unhinged characters in 'The White Lotus' Season 3—so far
1. Lorelai and Sookie — ‘Gilmore Girls’
Lorelai and Sookie’s friendship is the kind that quietly keeps the world turning. One is neurotic and quick-witted, the other is warm and slightly chaotic in the kitchen. Together, they build a business, raise families and weather small-town drama with a mixture of sugar, sarcasm and unwavering loyalty. It’s a friendship grounded in the every day, which is precisely what makes it so rare.
2. Beth and Ruby — ‘Good Girls’
What starts as carpool conversations and PTA meetings quickly escalates into money laundering, firearms and questionable alliances. Yet through all the criminal chaos, Beth and Ruby’s bond holds. There’s moral tension—especially with Ruby’s internal conflict—but their loyalty remains clear. A female friendship that can survive both crime and motherhood? Count us in.
3. Jess and Cece — ‘New Girl’
The model and the manic pixie dream girl shouldn’t work on paper. But Jess and Cece’s decades-long bond survives romantic entanglements, career upheavals and more than a few moments of second-hand embarrassment. It’s chaotic, affectionate and wildly forgiving—proof that opposites don’t just attract, they grow together.
4. Sutton, Kat and Jane — ‘The Bold Type’
This trio represents the rare magic of a workplace sisterhood that transcends the office. They support each other’s careers without competition, offer unfiltered advice and have a shared wardrobe worthy of its own spin-off. Despite the show’s glossy veneer, their support feels sincere. It’s the kind of female friendship that makes ambition look communal rather than cutthroat.
5. Samantha and Tory — ‘Cobra Kai’
On the surface, these two are rivals fighting over boys and karate belts. But underneath the bruises and high kicks is a more complex, evolving relationship that hints at mutual respect. The grudging alliance that forms in later seasons offers a refreshing take: that female friendship isn’t always born of similarities but sometimes forged in friction.
6. Rosa and Amy — ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Rosa is a leather-clad mystery, Amy is a binder-carrying overachiever. Their friendship isn’t immediate, but it’s intentional. As the seasons progress, we see them learn each other’s languages—Rosa’s stoic silence, Amy’s enthusiastic spreadsheets. There’s growth, mutual admiration and zero tolerance for passive-aggressiveness. This is a workplace friendship that evolves into something deeper and delightfully droll.
7. Deborah and Ava — ‘Hacks’
This intergenerational pairing isn’t easy or sweet. Deborah is an ageing comedian with a chip on her shoulder, while Ava is a Gen Z writer with a Twitter scandal and an ego to match. What starts as a transactional relationship becomes a dynamic mentorship layered with grudging affection and brutal honesty. It’s not a traditional female friendship, but it’s one of the most compelling.
8. Issa and Molly — ‘Insecure’
Few shows have captured the rise, fall and resurrection of female friendships as astutely as Insecure. Issa and Molly’s bond is riddled with unspoken expectations, personal insecurities and shifting priorities. They fight, they grow apart, then they choose each other again. It’s not aspirational in the glossy sense—but in its messiness, it’s one of the most relatable.
9. Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue — ‘Sweet Magnolias’
Yes, it’s full of saccharine small-town Southern charm, but the friendship between Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue has real backbone. There’s comfort in their routine margarita nights, but also strength in the way they show up for each other during heartbreak, custody battles and career crises. This is female friendship as a soft landing and a solid foundation.
10. Liz and Jenna — ‘30 Rock’
Toxic? Sometimes. Dysfunctional? Absolutely. But Liz and Jenna’s brand of friendship is underpinned by an honest acceptance of each other’s absurdities. Liz tolerates Jenna’s narcissism, Jenna indulges Liz’s cynicism. They’re not role models, but they’re real. Sometimes the best female friendships are the ones where you can be your worst and still be understood.
From chaotic duos to tightly woven trios, television has offered a spectrum of female friendships—some toxic, some aspirational, many unforgettable. These ten aren’t perfect, but they’re the ones we’d actually want in our group chat.
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