The 10 Baddest Women of Classic TV

Nichelle Nichols’ Lieutenant Nyota Uhura

The show: Star Trek

The era: 1966-9

The swagger: Nichols, 87, made history when she filmed the first interracial Black-white kiss on American national TV opposite her boss Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner. It wasn't all kisses and roses as the Enterprise officer comanned the communication systems and stood toe-to-toe with Kirk, Spock, Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy and Hikaru Sulu. She did everything the guys did — but with pointy nails and a micro mini. Given how fabulously put-together she always looked, what deck on the Enterprise housed the high-end salon? Added bonus: Uhura wasn't afraid to stand up to Spock's incessant rationalism.

Where to watch: Star Trek, on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, CBS All Access, VUDU

Eartha Kitt's Catwoman

The show: Batman

The era: 1967-8

The swagger: In the era of the Tom Jones 1965 hit “What's New, Pussycat,” seductive Kitt was purrfect as the sensual supervixen Catwoman, opposite Adam West's Caped Crusader. In the show's third and final season, singer Kitt stepped into the paws of series’ favorite Julie Newmar, who left to star in Mackenna's Gold opposite Gregory Peck. Kitt, less a love interest than a gleeful arch rival, brought style, rhythm, ruthlessness and a hepcat's quick reactions to her skintight leather onesie. This kitten has claws and she's not afraid to use them.

Where to watch: Batman, on iTunes, VUDU, YouTube, Google Play

Bea Arthur's Maude Findlay

The shows: All in the Family, Maude

The era: 1971-8

The swagger: Brassy stage actress Arthur brought a bigger-than-life, independent, educated suburban presence to the character of Cousin Maude Findlay on Norman Lear's All in the Family and divinely helmed her self-named spin-off. In those days, she might have been called a women's libber by Carroll O'Connor's cranky conservative patriarch, Archie Bunker. But if being feminist is being true to one's nature, never suffering fools and letting zingers fly, that's Maude in a pantsuit.

Where to watch: Maude, on Amazon Prime, iTunes

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Isabel Sanford's Louise Jefferson

The shows: All in the Family, The Jeffersons

The era: 1971-85

The swagger: Over a decade from 1975 to 1985, and 252 episodes, Sanford embodied another in a string of strong Norman Lear matriarchs. In this popular All in the Family sitcom spin-off, she plays the better half of a well-to-do African American couple. When they move on up and integrate a fancy apartment building, Louise “Weezy'’ Jefferson refuses to let anyone cut her down to size. She recognizes her worth and holds on to it despite cultural headwinds. And when it comes to Sherman Hemsley's testy Mr. Jefferson, it's the warm-hearted and wise Louise that ultimately wears the pants in the family and, often and comically, sets her husband straight.

Where to watch: The Jeffersons, on Starz, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Hulu

Sian Phillips’ Livia

The show: I, Claudius

The era: 1976

The swagger: The enduring BBC Roman Empire classic based on Robert Graves’ novels delivered the scheming murderous matriarch to put Medea – or Game of Thrones' Cersei Lannister – to shame. Intent on maintaining thsuccession from her husband Augustus Caesar to her son Tiberius, Livia goes the distance, poisoning her stepdaughter's husband, hiring assassins for other rivals to the throne and masterminding a murderous spree to maintain power without breaking a nail. This mama's a real killer, and Phillips makes her utterly absorbing to watch throughout.

Where to watch: I, Claudius, on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube, Acorn TV

Lucy Lawless’ Xena

The show: Xena: Warrior Princess

The era: 1995-2001

The swagger: Almost always dressed for a fight with her razor-sharp circular chakram and shield and leather bustier, this fierce, mythical warrior princess battles everyone from Julius Caesar to Mephistopheles. With right on her side along with her bard and bestie Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) singing her praises, and a mad pair of muscular thighs to rival Tina Turner's, Lawless brings order wherever she goes. Today's crop of kick-butt warrior women currently very hot in film owe Xena a debt of gratitude.

Where to watch: Xena: Warrior Princess, on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, syfy, NBC.com

Sara Ramirez's Calliope Iphegenia Torres, M.D.

The show: Grey's Anatomy

The era: 2006-16

The swagger: Broadway star Ramirez (Spamalot) busts stereotypes as a bisexual orthopedic surgeon who marries her pediatric surgeon girlfriend Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) among other badassery: juggling a demanding career, hospital busybodies, same-sex marriage, a car accident and becoming the mother of a preemie without losing her head. Torres is the longest-running LGBTQ character in American TV history with 239 episodes in the can.

Where to watch: Grey's Anatomy, on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube