This book examines the role and significance of anti-heroines, alongside a critical exploration of the rejection of traditional female stereotypes, with a particular focus on Italian crime series. It aims to contribute to the study of gender roles and the representation of women in popular culture, challenging stereotypes through an analysis of media and socio-cultural contexts. The early chapters provide a concise historiography and typology of television series and serials, beginning with examples from early silent films. These chapters lay the groundwork for the central discussion. The subsequent sections delve into anti-heroines in Italian television series and beyond, offering a broader perspective. The book also addresses the status of women in contemporary society, exploring aspects of female identity through the analysis and deconstruction of stereotypes. It combines approaches from cultural studies, sociology, and gender studies to analyze the crime genre. Furthermore, it critically examines the role of media, particularly television series and serials, by exploring their historical and social dimensions, which are discussed in detail in the first part of the book and revisited in the concluding section.
