The Liberated Mess: The Evolution of the Female Antiheroine in Contemporary Television

Abstract

This research analyzes the evolution of the “Liberated Mess,” a contemporary television archetype of the female antiheroine characterized by emotional instability, vulnerability, and resistance to traditional femininity and post-femininity. Through critical discourse analysis, the study examines how this archetype, established by series like Fleabag and Girls, is reimagined in This Way Up (Channel 4, 2019–2021) and Nobody Wants This (Netflix, 2024–present). The aim is to determine whether this figure still functions as a tool for social critique or has become a commodified trope within the media landscape. The analysis focuses on the protagonists’ behavior, dialogue, and appearance, alongside each series’ internal discourse surrounding gendered expectations of beauty, (professional) success, mental health, and relational fulfillment. It also analyzes how the archetype survives across different genres, such as romantic comedy and cringe-dramedy, and how humor and vulnerability are used for engaging audiences and delivering nuanced critiques of gender roles and neoliberal ideals of self-sufficiency and empowerment. Findings reveal that while the core traits of the Liberated Mess persist, both series use formal innovation and genre-blending to reflect contemporary social anxieties. Though there is a risk of repetition, the involvement of female creators helps sustain the archetype’s critical edge by emphasizing emotional realism, ambivalence, and relational complexity. This research contributes to feminist media studies by tracing how a popular narrative trend evolves in response to changing sociocultural and industrial contexts. Limitations include the exclusive use of discourse analysis and the focus on two English-language series. Future research could expand on audience reception and intersectional variation to further assess the archetype’s cultural significance.