To be clear, being a mom in and of itself kind of makes you a badass because it takes real grit to raise tiny humans. By nature, most mothers are fiercely protective yet nurturing. There’s a reason people call us mama bears, right? You never want to be on the receiving end of a mother’s wrath when she feels as though her children have been slighted, threatened or hurt in any way. And because TV amplifies everything, our favorite TV moms are often the fiercest ones — the ones who would quite literally kill for their kids.
Some actually have, in fact. Some wield weapons like swords and dragons and guns, which they wouldn’t think twice about using to guard their offspring. Others are armed with a tone so sharp it may as well be a dagger. After all, some days we’re the Cersei and other days we’re the Lorelai.
Whether these TV moms are ruling kingdoms or simply keeping the peace in a household full of kids and chaos, we love having such empowering examples of motherhood on-screen. Here are some of our favorite examples.
Cersei Lannister, ‘Game of Thrones’
You kind of love her and sometimes you definitely hate her, but there's no denying that Cersei doesn't mess around when it comes to her kids. In fact, she's admitted more than once that they are the only human beings she is capable of loving… so, there's that.
Jennifer Jareau, ‘Criminal Minds’
JJ is that unique combination of sweet yet fierce AF, and we love it. The BAU member would do anything to protect her sons, Henry and Michael, and on occasion she has risked life and limb to do so. Of course, the fact that her real-life sons, Mekhai and Phoenix, play her TV sons probably helps A.J. Cook get into character.
Joyce Byers, ‘Stranger Things’
Winona Ryder's Joyce didn't care who thought she was crazy if it meant saving her son. She communicated through Christmas lights, was willing to take on the Demogorgon and, most importantly, never gave up that hope her son would return home. Her plight to keep him safe will likely intensify next season, but we have no doubt that Joyce will be up to the challenge.
Lorelai Gilmore, ‘Gilmore Girls’
Lorelai Gilmore never thinks twice about taking up for her "kid," Rory. She may not have a sword to (quite literally) cut people down to size like some of the other badass moms on this list, but she can eviscerate anyone with her razor-sharp wit. Give this woman enough coffee, and she could take over the world!
Regina, ‘Once Upon a Time’
She hasn't always been the most likable character (her nickname for quite some time was "evil queen," after all), but Regina has proven her love for her adopted son, Henry. She has even tried to kill on his account, although that was often misguided. But, happily, her love for Henry is so redeeming, it was able to transform her.
Bow Johnson, ‘Black-ish’
If looks could kill, Bow Johnson would likely have already marked more than a few names off her hit list. As it were, this mother of five demonstrates her rock-star mama status by keeping her hectic household running, putting up with her husband's shenanigans and always, always having her kids' backs. Did we mention she's also a doctor?
Madison Clark, ‘Fear the Walking Dead’
Prior to the zombie apocalypse, Madison Clark was a mild-mannered high school guidance counselor. But when the living dead starting roaming the streets, this mom made it clear from the start that she would sacrifice just about anyone to keep her son and daughter safe.
Maeve Millay, ‘Westworld’
So, technically, Maeve isn't human, and her child is part of a narrative fabricated by her creators. However, this host continues to protect and love her little girl, no matter how many times they are killed in recollections. It's the kind of connection she would easily kill to preserve, too.
Meredith Grey, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Oh, Meredith. This mother had to do the unthinkable when her husband (aka Dr. McDreamy) died — tell her kids their dad was never coming home. She handled that moment with true strength and poise, and she has continued to parent with that trademark grit. Considering she knows how to wield a scalpel, we wouldn't recommend anyone bring out her "dark and twisty" side by messing with her brood.
June, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
We can't even imagine enduring half of what June has been through: being beaten, forced into sexual servitude, having her daughter taken away from her, having to send off her new child to save their life. The list goes on, and yet June still fights the good fight to save her children from the reach of Gilead.
Wendy Byrde, ‘Ozark’
She may not always have the utmost faith in or love for her husband, but Wendy Byrde fights tooth and nail to keep her family afloat. As her husband, Marty, manages to unravel their life (and, in his defense, to string it back together) at every turn, Wendy does double duty as a strong mother and a quite literal partner in crime.
Red, ‘Orange Is the New Black’
Nicknamed Red for her trademark hair color, this Russian inmate has a personality just as fiery as her hair's rich hue. Not only did she go to prison being a boss mom on the outside, but she has also adopted a prison family — and Red would tack another 10 years onto her sentence for the sake of her girls.
Daenerys Targaryen, ‘Game of Thrones’
She's the mother of dragons, but we should also mention the theory that Daenerys will get pregnant with her nephew/lover Jon Snow's baby in the final season of Game of Thrones. If that happens, she would truly, officially become the most badass mom in all of Westeros.
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