Kalinda Sharma, The Good Wife

Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi)

On legal and political drama series The Good Wife, Kalinda Sharma was introduced as an in-house private investigator for a law firm, and very good at her job, although she had a reputation of using questionable tactics. She was shown to have no interest in intimacy or domesticity and was known to have regular sexual flings, but never relationships. Kalinda often used her charm and seductiveness to get information she need, and it was difficult to distinguish whether the men and women she engaged with were romantic interests or simply professional targets.

Kalinda and FBI agent Lana were on-again off-again lovers throughout Kalinda’s six seasons on the show. When they first met in Season 1, Lana attempted to seduce Kalinda and convince her to leave her job for another one. They shared some flirting and a kiss but the relationship didn’t go any further after Kalinda decided to stay with her current job. In Season 2, Lana once again sought out Kalinda and the two shared more flirting and intimacy, but it never turned serious.

Kalinda also had a brief fling with guest character Sophia Russo (season 2 finale).

In Season 4, it was revealed that Kalinda had an estranged husband, Nick, who was abusive towards her in the past.

In later seasons, Kalinda became involved in a love-triangle with Lana and her co-worker, Cary. She seemed to be harboring romantic feelings for them both, despite her previous disinterest in any formal relationships. When Lana, in turn, refused to consider a romance with her, their relationship became somewhat strained.

Kalinda was given an abrupt exit from the show at the end of Season 6 when she, after sharing an emotional goodbye and kiss with Cary, had to flee the city for her own safety. Her storyline with Lana was left unresolved.

Appearances:

• 134 episodes.

Female love interests:

• Lana Delaney (Jill Flint, recurring S1,3-4,6, guest S2)
• Sophia Russo (Kelli Giddish, guest, bisexual, 4 episodes)
• Jenna Villette (Jordana Spiro, lesbian, guest, 4 episodes)
• Donna Seabrook (Lili Taylor, ex-girlfriend, guest, 1 episode)

Relationship story arc with a woman: Questionable

Male love interests:

• Nick Savarese (Marc Warren, guest, 8 episodes, ex-husband)
• Peter Florrick (Chris Noth, recurring, 101 episodes, one night stand)
• Cary (Matt Czuchry, main cast, 156 episodes)
• Anthony Burton (James Carpinello, guest, 5 episodes)

Relationship story arc with a man: Yes

Filter Relationship Arc:

• Male (Regular)

Storyline during sweeps? Yes

[1] A relationship story arc is defined as explicit, developed on screen, and lasting more than 3 episodes. It is listed as questionable or subtext if romance is only implied, mentioned instead of shown on screen, part of a dream sequence, or otherwise not explicit for the viewer.
[2] Sweeps episodes air in February, May, July and November, the periods when advertising rates are set. A character is marked as "sweeps" when there is a very limited number of episodes that address their sexuality, all air during sweeps period, and the storyline is otherwise ignore/dropped.