TV's greatest First Ladies: let the battle commence

The House of Cards season three trailer released this week reminded us about the best part of the show: Robin Wright (eh, right) as the ruthless, Armani-rocking Claire Underwood. This season will see Claire elevated to First Lady, joining the ranks of the greatest TV First Ladies. But is she the best? Let's break it down.

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Abigail “Abbey” Bartlet

The West Wing

Stockard “Rizzo” Channing won an Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Emmy in 2002 for her portrayal as the Harvard-educated doctor who stuck by President Bartlet in what is arguably the best TV show of all time. Stoic, yet sassy, Abbey held things together when the president wavered.

Strengths:

Good at keeping medical secrets, strong moral backbone.

Weaknesses:

Rarely asserts herself, allowing the deal she struck with her husband for one term only to be broken, and only storming out of the White House when her daughter Zoey is kidnapped.

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Claire Underwood House of Cards

Robin Wright is a long long way from The Princess Bride in this role. While Kevin Spacey soars as Frank Underwood, Wright's character is far more mysterious, never breaking the fourth wall. Wright won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the complex, Lady Macbeth-esque character.

Strengths:

Will crush you to get ahead, or cut you with the collars of her Theory shirts.

Weaknesses:

Only those she has absorbed by osmosis from Frank.

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Melody ‘Mellie’ Grant

Scandal

Mellie Grant is possibly the best character on TV right now. Bellamy Young’s portrayal of a complex, vindictive, vulnerable and funny First Lady seethes with emotion, and won her a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series last year.

Strengths:

Insatiable appetite for the pursuit of power.

Weaknesses:

Vodka, plans too complex to work.

Winner Abbey Bartlet is the doyenne, Claire Underwood is the ice queen. But we’re giving this one to Mellie Grant.