Summary
TheRed Dead Redemptionsaga first began when Rockstar acquired Angel Studios, who were working ona title calledRed Dead Revolverfor Capcom at the time, as well as the rights to the IP. And while Rockstar’s other franchises likeBullyandGrand Theft Autooften focused entirely on the exploits of male characters,Red Dead Redemptionhas been a series where Rockstar has shown an ability to craft truly fascinating and memorable female characters. The criticism of Rockstar’s female characters in other franchises has been well-earned, but the women ofRed Deadhave proven to be some true standouts in their long history.
In this expansive, cinematic exploration of the final days of the American Frontier,Red Dead Redemptionhas seen some of the most intricate and well-developed stories in both the open-world genre and the entire industry. Despite how male-centric the cast is, the women ofRed Dead Redemptionoften play some very important roles, and some of them are even more interesting than the leading men. They have played pivotal roles in the journeys of the leads, either through assisting them in their criminal escapades or becoming crucial to the redemption that the series title alludes to. They have been heroes, villains, and everything in between.
Updated July 12, 2025 by Maddie Fisher:The women of Red Dead Redemption are just as multi-faceted and compelling as their male counterparts, as this epic franchise has chronicled the rise and fall of the Old West. This list of thebest Red Dead Redemption female charactershas been updated to include two new characters, as the women of Red Dead can’t be limited to just seven entries.
They are rich, flawed women who are just as deserving of praise as the men of Red Dead. As a result of Red Dead taking place across multiple different generations, it’s able to explore the women of the Old West in numerous ways and these are the ones that have stood out the most.
9Tilly Jackson
Sweet, Nurturing Member Of The Van Der Linde Gang
Tilly Jackson joined the Van der Linde gang following the death of her parents, who were former slaves who passed away when she was 12, leading to her meeting the nefarious group of criminals who taught her how to survive in the harshworld ofRed Dead Redemption 2. And despite growing up in the worst possible conditions one could find, facing the generational trauma and horror of slavery, Tilly still managed to become one of the most warm, kind-hearted people in a group full of outlaws.
Wandering around camp and seeing Tilly as Arthur is always a delight, as she is happy to exchange small talk with the player and is easily one of the gang’s most charming members. Tilly also has a sweet relationship with Jack, the son of John and Abigail Marston, and is also extremely close with Susan Grimshaw after she is kidnapped by the Foreman Brothers. Despite coming from the trauma of slavery, Tilly is treated genuinely well by the gang, who see her as an equal.
8Molly O’Shea
The Sassy Romantic Interest Of Dutch Van Der Linde
After leaving Ireland, as well as a comfortable life and wealthy family, behind before the events ofRed Dead Redemption 2, Molly O’Shea joins the Van der Linde gang seeking adventure. She gets more than she bargained for, as she becomes Dutch’s lover and solidifies herself as one of the most prominent, important members of the gang. Her fierce, sharp tongue and no-nonsense attitude are fantastic, as Molly is easily one of the most entertaining members of the Van der Linde gang.
As players find Molly atthe various camps inRDR2, they will find a woman that seems like she was built for the harrowing nature of the Old West, although her brash nature and narcissistic tendencies see her character slowly fall apart throughout the game. Molly’s transition is a sharp one, as players see a woman go from utterly confident to a rambling mess by the end, as she features in one of the most intense character arcs in the entire story. She is easily one of the franchise’s most fascinating women, as her fall from grace forms some ofRed Dead Redemption 2’s most memorable moments.
7Mary-Beth Gaskill
Demure Thief Hides Behind Soft Exterior
Many ofRed Dead’sbest female characters can be seen as being stronger than the males, as in some ways they had to work twice as hard during a time of inequality between men and women. And one way women could take advantage was by using their femininity, something that Mary-Beth Gaskill does quite well inRed Dead Redemption 2.
It’s exactly what makes Mary-Beth so intriguing, as she doesn’t quite seem to fit into the darker, more violent activities thatArthur and the Van der Linde gangget into. Her quiet, softer demeanor is a fairly sharp contrast between the atrocities of the Old West and her unique role in the story.
6Susan Grimshaw
The Matriarch Of The Van Der Linde Gang
Not only isRed Deadhome to some of Rockstar’s best female characters, but Susan also bucks a few trends in that she’s an older lady. This demographic is somewhat underrepresented across the entire industry, so Susan Grimshaw is a welcome addition. This matriarchal outlaw is one of the Van der Linde gang’s most charming members, adding some grit to an already grizzled crew.
Susan also has a fascinating history with Dutch, as the two former lovers create some ofRed Dead Redemption 2’s most interesting scenes. She is one ofRed Dead Redemption 2’s highlights, as her interactions with Arthur Morgan through all of itsdark explorations of the Old Westare amazing to watch unfold.
5Mary Linton
A Woman With A Troubled Past
Mary Linton has courted a bit of a reputation with theRed Dead Redemptionfan base, as her role in the 2018 sequel is hotly debated. But while one may dislike Mary forher actions throughoutRDR2and her interactions with Arthur, it’s hard to argue that she’s one of the franchise’s most compelling female characters. Like many of Red Dead’s most fascinating characters, Mary Linton isn’t regarded as a hero. She is a selfish person, a woman who carries a heavy burden in a lawless time, but that’s all a part of what makes her such a unique character to watch.
Mary and Arthur’s doomed relationship is just one part of what makes her such a fascinating character. Caught between her love for an outlaw and the desire to help her family, Mary is given time to be shown as a woman who has a lot of plates spinning. Her complex journey and relationship with Arthur form some ofRed Dead Redemption 2’s most poignant scenes.
4Luisa Fortuna
A Rebellious Freedom Fighter
Red Dead Redemptionwas one of the best games of the seventh generation of consoles, as the open-world cowboy game placed playersin the boots of John Marstonfor the first time. Along the way, Marston meets a huge roster of fascinating heroes and villains, but perhaps none of them are as undervalued as much as Luisa Fortuna, a young revolutionary who is a part of some ofRed Dead Redemption’smost interesting missions.
Her loyalty to Mexico and desire to create a better world for her sister Miranda plays a vital role. Her clashes with John and what the cowboy is willing to do become paramount to these missions, featuring some marvelous performances from both actors. She is a character driven by a multitude of different factors, as all of her interpersonal relationships with her sister and her problematic relationship with a freedom fighter named Reyes are what make Luisa as endlessly complicated as she is. She isn’t just one ofRed Dead’smost interesting women; the missions she gives John make up some of the game’s most exciting sequences.
3Abigail Marston
Tough-As-Nails Woman Trying To Survive The West
Abigail Marston is more than just John Marston’s wife, as evidenced by her roles in bothRed Dead RedemptionandRed Dead Redemption 2. This hard-luck woman has a long, storied history that is all her own. As a result of her harsh life, some of which is chronicled inRed Dead Redemption 2as the result of it being a prequel, she becomes fully formed into thefabulous character she is inRed Dead Redemption.
She isn’t a woman waiting for her husband to come home with open arms, but rather someone who has her own problems to deal with in the harsh realities of the Old West. The husband she lost to the outlaw life is secondary, as she is left to raise her son Jack in tough times and does so admirably. When John returns home during the events ofRed Dead Redemption, she is allowed to act as any normal person would instead of a stereotype. Abigail isn’t a submissive wife but rather a courageous woman who showcases exactly how tough women have to be to survive these brutal and unforgiving times.
2Bonnie MacFarlane
Charismatic Heroine Saves The Protagonist
In a world as male-dominated as the Old West, Bonnie is something of a game changer in that she runs the MacFarlane Ranch. This fiercely independent and charming lady introduces players tothe world ofRed Dead Redemption, saving John Marston from certain death and helping him get back on his feet. From there, Bonnie becomes one of John’s closest and loyal friends throughout the game.
She has since become one ofRed Dead’smost popular characters, as she exemplified exactly what it means to survive the time period and did so with unlimited charm and wit. The close bond and friendship between Bonnie and John is truly one of the highlights of the original game, as their undeniable chemistry and somewhat awkward introduction to each other is absolutely delightful. Bonnie has remained one of the franchise’s best characters, even being briefly mentioned inRed Dead Redemption 2.
1Sadie Adler
A Grieving Woman Turned Expert Bounty Hunter
It’s safe to say that there was no supporting character inRed Dead Redemption 2as popular as Sadie Adler. The desire for a single-player story DLC with her in the leading role hasn’t ceased. Driven by revenge and retribution for the death of her husband Jake at the hands of O’Driscolls, Sadie is one of the Van der Linde gang’s most intriguing and compelling members.
The performance of Alex McKenna truly gives Sadie so much life and spirit as she takes her on a journey of discovery and an effort to find peace of mind after Jake’s death. Her journey from a broken woman to a strong, confident warrior is absolutely one of the game’s most fantastic elements. It’s a wonderful character to watch grow alongside both Arthur Morgan and then later John Marston. Sadie broke the barriers of what it meant to be a woman in the gang, showing she truly belonged in its operations and is one ofRed Dead Redemption 2’sfinest-written and performed characters.
