Filthy and Fine: Dana DeLorenzo is the Strongest Female Character on Television

If she were a final girl, Dana DeLorenzo would be You’re Next’s Sharni Vinson on steroids.

Simply stated, and with apologies to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), DeLorenzo is the most badass female character on television.

When we first laid eyes on “Ash vs Evil Dead’s” Kelly Maxwell, she was grabbing Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) by the arm and pinning him to a counter in a subtle exchange that communicated two things – don’t touch and that Ms. Maxwell was not to be trifled with.

Since, fans of the Evil Dead universe have come to expect unrivaled toughness from a woman fueled by the loss of her parents and more than holds her own with The King himself.

It’s not just the rage that dwells within her, but in the way DeLorenzo’s character has grown over the course of two seasons and twenty episodes.

From the moment Jefe’s delicious cookie tried to pierce her eyes, we have witnessed a fighter who has since told a state detective to shut the fuck up, been possessed by a demon, stood toe-to-toe with Ash and Ruby (Lucy Lawless), an extremist militia, Elk Grove’s sheriff, a revenge-seeking horde and Baal (to say nothing of Deadites), and exhibited nary a blink.

Not only intelligent and fearless, DeLorenzo’s Kelly is a remarkable leader. While Ash is quick with a one-liner or sarcasm before battle breaks out, Maxwell simply talks shit and throws down. While she does not hesitate to do what must be done, Kelly’s loyalty runs just as deeply as The King’s, and though far less trusting than Jefe, DeLorenzo would do anything for him and especially her powerful vagina, our beloved Pablito (Ray Santiago).

This past season, audiences had ringside seats for DeLorenzo’s maturation as a character. No longer just a foul-mouthed brawler, Kelly demanded relentlessness and backbone from her Ghostbeater cohorts and began to forge her own path. Kelly refused to wait for Ash’s direction, instead took control, barked instructions and handled impossible situations with confidence and tenacity.

Along the way, she openly questioned Ruby and Ash, offered inspirational motivation to Pablo and even emotional support to Linda after she’d lost her husband and daughter.

We were also treated to double-barreled salutes to Deadites and setting fire to the cabin, because the first thing we saw Maxwell do is exactly who she is – a fighter who will not accept defeat.

Dana DeLorenzo’s Kelly may be filthy and fine, but she is so much more. Maxwell is the unwavering, undisputed leader of the “Ash vs Evil Dead” team, and the single best female character on television.