SANDRA CHALMERS
EDITOR IN CHIEF

An escalating amount of primetime television shows lead with strong female characters that resolve mysterious murders with bold intuition and beauty.
“Fringe” (2008), created by J.J. Abrams, director and creator of hit television show “Lost,” and film “Cloverfield” (2008), brings the world of impossible science into reality.  Character Olivia Dunham, played by gutsy blonde Anna Torv, works for the FBI, specializing in the Fringe Division, a task force focused on cases of extreme abnormality.
Torv leads the show by fighting genetic mutations, a parallel universe and of course chasing bad guys with her long blonde hair easily blowing in the wind.  Sexy co-star, Peter Bishop, played by Joshua Jackson (Yes, from “Dawson’s Creek”), brings out a romantic side of Torv, as the hard-edged FBI agent softens when she falls for Bishop.  But viewers don’t think twice about who wears the pants in the relationship, Torv definitely holds the reins.
Another leading lady in prime time includes Kate Beckett, in the hit dramatic comedy, “Castle” (2009).  Beckett, played by Stana Katic is a leading homicide detective for the New York Police Department. Solving crime in New York City includes plots twists that no one can anticipate.  Katic plays a sharp, sarcastic and witty character that wins the heart of famous novelist, Richard Castle, played by Nathan Fillion.
Fillion finds inspiration from Katic for his upcoming novel and can lighten the mood of any murder scene with comedic relief.  Katic is a clear contrast from the fun energetic Fillion, but the chemistry between the two characters keeps viewers on their toes.
Annie Frost knows how to keep up with the boys, as a U.S. Marshall in Dallas, Texas, Frost, played by Kelli Giddish in the high action series, “Chase” (2010).  Well-known executive director, Jerry Bruckheimer, placed petite Giddish as a lead character, but don’t let her feminine charm fool you. She plays a fierce female justice seeker.
“Giddish stars as the lead manhunter, who can hold her own against a perp twice her size,” stated a review by Variety.  Texas accents and cowboy boots haunt almost every action scene, but don’t expect any romance in this series, Giddish prefers to indulge in gunfights and even fist fights.
In solving crime, Allison Dubois doesn’t need forensic evidence. She solves crimes in her sleep.  Dubois, played by Patricia Arquette, a homicide consultant working for the District Attorney in Phoenix, Arizona, uses her supernatural instincts to uncover truths about crime scenes in the popular series “Medium” (2005).  Once harshly judged for her strange talent, this daring diva uses her dreams to find culprits of despicable crimes.  Dubois juggles a family life, career and her psychic abilities with cool confidence and stunning composure.