Researching a variety of female characters that aren’t your typical damsels of yesterday or the physically “strong” female characters so common today definitely makes for a fascinating afternoon.
Why? I discovered that removing literature from the equation limits the actual number of introverted or shy female characters in media (I couldn’t even find any lists).
Perhaps these timid females are just considered too “boring” in the modern day to be written into television or films very often.
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I mean, think about it. How often (lately) have you seen that shrinking violet character who is too frightened to speak? Or even a character that doesn’t know how to socialize well?
Or maybe she’s simply just introverted rather than extroverted and needs time alone to recharge. Perhaps shyness creates too human of female characters to be written regularly.
Interestingly enough, there are plenty of shy male characters. I don’t know about everyone else, but it is time to demand more variety in our female characters.
I say we have plenty of extroverted, quirky female characters, the sassy, the flirty, the girlfriend who doesn’t feel quite real, and the perfect feminist icon of “strong” (everyone should read the article “I Hate Strong Female Characters“).
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We need more introverted and shy female characters because real-life women are full of variety – both introverted and extroverted. So, let’s allow some shy girls to break into our stories more often.
Until then, if you are longing to watch a movie or show (maybe you, too, are an introvert like myself) with female characters who aren’t your typical extroverts (or less awkward introverts), here are just 40 of the great shy female characters (sorry, no anime) in film and television.
Interesting Fact: Many of these introverted and shy female characters stem from literature written over 50 years ago.
TOP 40 INTROVERTED AND SHY FEMALE CHARACTERS
(Alphabetical Order)
#1: Ada Monroe from Cold Mountain
Ada Monroe is a shy preacher’s daughter who falls in love with a shy carpenter during the tragic events of the Civil War. Ada must find inner strength to survive during the most difficult of times.
Content Note: This is Rated R.
#2: Amélie from Amélie
Amélie is one of the quietest characters on the list. For more on Amélie, see our romantic moment between Amélie and Nino!
Content Note: This is Rated R.
#3: Amy Dorrit from Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit is a British period drama based on Charles Dickens’s classic novel. It follows the sweet and timid Amy Dorrit as she helps her father, who is stuck in a debtor’s prison. Amy falls in love with the kind Arthur Clennam, but life isn’t easy for her.
See our review of Little Dorrit!
#4: Annie from Being Human
Annie is an agoraphobic ghost who befriends a vampire and a werewolf – and always falls for the wrong guys!
#5: Bella Swan from Twilight
Bella Swan is an introverted and sometimes awkward teenage girl who falls in love with a teenage immortal vampire. For more, check out our review of the Twilight movies.
#6: Belle from Beauty and the Beast
While the Disney animated adaptation is the most famous version, there are numerous versions of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. Belle shines as a brilliant, introverted female character and a fantastic example of one of the best quiet Disney characters. She loves to read and daydream and is quite empathetic, too.
#7: Beth March from Little Women (1994)
Claire Danes brings Beth March to life in this brilliant adaptation of Little Women. Beth is the gentlest of souls, shy around strangers, and longs to stay home rather than go out.
#8: Beth Pearson From This Is Us
Beth Pearson was an introverted girl with her head in the clouds, dreaming of becoming a dancer. But life got in the way. As an adult, she worked to find her way back to the girl she was and brought dance back into her life. This is a beautiful story.
#9: Carrie from Carrie
Carrie is a 1976 adaptation of Stephen King’s novel starring Sissy Spacek as Carrie, a bullied and shy teenage girl with an abusive mother. It’s considered one of the best horror films ever made.
Content Note: This is Rated R.
#10: Cassandra from I Capture the Castle
Cassandra Mortmain is an introverted teenage girl who loves to write in her journal and dreams of a better future. Set in the 1930s, this adaptation of Dodie Smith’s coming-of-age novel is charming and bittersweet, with a fitting resolution for Cassandra.
Content Note: This is Rated R for brief nudity.
#11: Cecily from Road to Avonlea
Cecily, from the lovely Canadian series Road to Avonlea, is the timid, overlooked younger sister in the King family. She’s sweet, sensitive, and kind.
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#12: Charlotte Vale from Now, Voyager
Bette Davis brings the introverted (and emotionally abused) “spinster” to life in this brilliant classic romance film.
#13: Daisy from Downton Abbey
Oh, Daisy! She’s not always the wisest in making sound decisions. However, the introverted young woman grows in confidence over time.
#14: Davina from The Originals
Davina is a teenage witch with a flair for the dramatic. The introverted character is drawn to the outcasts of society and finds her soulmate as she also finds herself.
#15: Dorothy “Dot” Williams from Miss Fisher
Miss Fisher is must-see television with an exceptional cast and witty scripts. Dot is Miss Phryne Fisher’s timid assistant. Dot is smart, religious, and brave and falls in love with the equally adorable Hugh.
#16: Fanny Price from Mansfield Park (1999)
Frances O’Connor plays Jane Austen’s Fanny Price in the 1999 version of Mansfield Park. While less timid than in the book, she still captures Fanny’s introverted and independent spirit and pays homage to Austen as a writer.
#TIE WITH 16: Fanny Price from Mansfield Park (2007)
Billie Piper shines as Fanny in this mediocre adaptation. See our review of the 2007 version of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park.
#17: Felicity from Felicity
Felicity Porter isn’t exactly a demure woman. But she is an eccentric introvert (likely an INFP) with big dreams who isn’t afraid to chase them. And on a side note, I’m still Team Noel!
#18: Fran from Strictly Ballroom
Fran is a shy young woman who dreams about dancing—but she doesn’t exactly get anyone’s notice, and she’s only a beginner. But she soon gets the attention of professional ballroom dancer Scott Hastings when she offers to dance with him in his weird, unique style, which breaks all the rules.
#19: Hannah from Everwood
Even after Bright (one of the most popular boys at school – played by Chris Pratt) falls in love with her, Hannah remains insecure. She’s extremely shy, kind, and moral, and it ultimately takes her time to believe in herself.
#20: Ingrid Beauchamp from THE Witches of East End
Ingrid is an introverted librarian who also happens to be a powerful witch!
#21: Jamie from A Walk to Remember
Jamie (Mandy Moore) is an introverted minister’s daughter who wears modest clothes, doesn’t wear makeup, and doesn’t care about being popular. She isn’t afraid to be exactly who she is. And that’s what draws popular troublemaker Landon to her.
#22: Jane Bennet from Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Rosamund Pike brings Jane Bennet to life in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. Even Jane’s sister, Elizabeth, claims that Jane is shy and doesn’t know how to show her interest in Mr. Bingley.
#23: Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre (2006)
Ruth Wilson captured the essence of Jane Eyre from the classic novel, showcasing her independent nature, introverted personality, and fierce emotions brewing underneath.
#24: Laney Boggs from She’s All That
The classic 90s teen film gave the My Fair Lady style a makeover with flair (and a killer soundtrack) for the teen crowd. Laney is introverted, cool, and memorable to Gen X and older millennials.
#25: Laura Brown from The Hours
Laura Brown is an unhappy 1950s housewife who loves escaping by reading books. The tragic film explores depression and the meaning of life.
#26: Lucy Honeychurch from A Room with A View (1985)
Lucy Honeychurch is a demure character and an obedient young woman. She buries her emotions and passions until she meets George Emerson, a strange young man who changes how she sees things.
#27: Lucy from While You Were Sleeping
Sandra Bullock is the queen of playing lonely, misunderstood introverts in rom-coms. In this beloved classic, she plays Lucy, a fare token collector who, due to a misunderstanding, finds herself spending Christmastime with a loving family.
#28: Melanie from Gone with the Wind
Melanie Hamilton is quiet, kind, and even innocent – the opposite of her extroverted, selfish cousin Scarlett O’Hara.
#29: Melinda from Speak
Kristen Stewart stars as Melinda in this underrated teen film about a young woman who doesn’t speak often due to the trauma of a disturbing assault.
#30: Miss Matty from Cranford
Judi Dench is only one of the fabulous actors from the period drama gem Cranford. Miss Matty is Deborah’s introverted, people-pleasing younger sister. She’s a kind woman who cares about everyone around her.
#31: Molly Gibson from Wives and Daughters
Molly is shy, sweet, and caring but gets overlooked because of her extroverted and beautiful stepsister, Cynthia. She falls in love with her neighbor Roger but struggles to express her feelings.
#32: Molly Hooper from Sherlock
Molly is shy, sensitive, and full of emotional strength. She has unrequited feelings for Sherlock – a man who is the exact opposite of her.
#33: The 2nd Mrs. Dewinter from Rebecca
Mrs. Dewinter is naïve, shy, and insecure about Maxim’s feelings for her. The gothic Hitchcock film presents an introverted female character in the best, most intriguing way possible.
#34: Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls
Rory Gilmore starts quite shy, especially when compared to her confident, extroverted mother. While she overcomes much of her shyness, she remains an introverted character who loves books, writing, and deep, philosophical conversations—even if she can also be a bit self-absorbed sometimes.
#35: Rose from Populaire
This underrated French rom-com follows Rose, an introverted young woman with a natural talent for typing fast. Louis, a wealthy insurance agent, discovers her ability and begins training her to compete in typing competitions.
Content Note: This is Rated R (very mild).
#36: Sabrina Fairchild from Sabrina (1954)
Audrey Hepburn is the reserved Sabrina in this classic romance film about a young woman torn between two brothers.
#TIE WITH 36: Sabrina Fairchild from Sabrina (1954)
While the Hepburn version is more beloved, I actually enjoy the 90s version starring Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford more. Ormond plays Sabrina Fairchild, who is initially shy and grows into a confident woman.
#37: Sister Bernadette (now Shelagh Turner) from Call the Midwife
The romance between the introverted Sister Bernadette and Dr. Turner is so good! Sister Bernadette is quite shy as a nun, but she grows into confidence over time as a wife and mother – despite her initial insecurities with the drastic life change.
#38: Tara from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Tara is a beautiful example of a layered, shy female character! Be prepared to watch her story; it will bring all the emotions.
#39: Violet from Coyote Ugly
The plot follows Violet, a shy young woman trying to pursue her career to become a singer. It’s a fun film.
#40: Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Willow Rosenberg begins as a relatable, reserved teenager with a crush on her best friend. She later turns into a pretty awesome witch – you know, when she’s not being Dark Willow.
EVEN MORE SHY AND/OR INTROVERTED FEMALE CHARACTERS
- Aibileen Clark – The Help
- Toula – My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- Elisa – The Shape of Water
- Joan Wilder – Romancing the Stone
- Anne Shirley – Anne of Green Gables and Anne with an E (may seem extroverted, at times, but is much more of an introvert)
- Josie Gellar – Never Been Kissed
- Na Bong-sun – Oh My Ghost
- Hermione Granger – Harry Potter
- Luna Lovegood – Harry Potter
- Elsa – Frozen
- Katniss Everdeen – The Hunger Games
- Iris – The Holiday
- Maud – Suffragette
- Eowyn – Lord of the Rings
- Dana Scully – The X-Files
- Winifred Burkle from Angel
Are you ready for more introverted and shy female characters? Did I miss any big ones? Let us know!
Note: This article was first published in 2014.
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Great list! I’ve seen most of those shows and agree they make interesting characters. Everyone doesn’t have to be an extrovert. I agree, the emphasis on “strong” female characters now feels stock and rote. We need more widely diverse characters overall.
Don’t forget Adrienne from Rocky.
Introversion is not shyness. Most of these characters aren’t shy but introverts.
Belle is in no way ‘shy’. She’s just intelligent and introverted. Maybe she comes across as shy because she’s not your standard Disney ball of energy, but she’s not shy by any standards.
I used shy as a general term. If you read my introduction, you can see that I was including introverted in the conversation. Though I do think Belle does not come across as being comfortable socially.
You raise a fair point there. I wouldn’t call her introverted personally, more… somewhere in the middle, i.e. ambiverted. She’s awkward around some of the characters, i.e. Gaston, because he only really wants one thing from her, and of course wants to make her life a living hell when she refuses him.
Disney ball of energy? It’s not like Belle is the only Disney Princess to be introverted. Cinderella, Aurora, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, and Elsa would also fall under the introverted category. And I agree that Belle is not shy; Not even around Gaston.
Kiara Westford -“Rules of attraction”(Simone Elkeles- I know this is a shallow novel, but I fell in love with the style of the author.)
Linda Owens- “Beastly”(Alex Flinn)
Anne Elliot- “Persuasion”(Jane Austen)
Angela Weber- “Twilight”(Stephenie Meyer)
Harriet Pomeroy-“Ravished”(Amanda Quick)
Penelopa Marbury- ” A rogue by any other name”(Sarah MacLean)
Anna Wren-” The Raven Prince”(Elizabeth Hoyt)
In my opinion , these would be the characters who stood out by their shyness .It’s just a personal opinion , of course
Ooh, what about Allison from “The Breakfast Club”?
Also Christine Daae, from the Phantom of the Opera
Thank you so much for this list! I am, and always have been a painfully shy woman. I used to wish I were more extroverted, but I now accept the fact that I’m not. I now feel that my shyness gives me a unique, mysterious vibe.
I never thought of Daisy from Downton Abbey as shy or introvert! She always has her opinion and isn’t afraid to say. She’s just naive.
But I miss Griet (Scarlett Johansson) from “Girl With A Pearl Earring” and Ada (Holly Hunter) from “The Piano”.