leading ladies

Noun

leading lady (plural leading ladies)

1. A woman who does or can play the lead role in a movie, play or other production; a woman who frequently plays such roles.
   • The leading lady also went out of her way to congratulate the young neophyte effusively on her triumph—and then slapped her unfortunate dresser on very insufficient provocation; […]1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC
2. The type of conventionally beautiful and approachable woman who is perceived as being capable of playing female lead roles in movies or other productions.