Female representation in television is declining, report says

Fewer women are working as creators and being cast in major roles on original television series.

The newest Boxed In report from the San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film found women made up 23% of creators last year — down from 26% in 2022-2023 and 30% in 2021-2022.

“Creators are especially important as programs with women in this role tend to hire substantially higher numbers of women in other key behind-the-scenes roles, such as writers, directors and editors,” Dr. Martha M. Lauzen wrote in her report. “Programs with women creators also feature higher percentages of female characters.”

The percentage of women who appeared as major characters declined to 45% in 2023-2024 — down from 48% in 2022-2023 and 49% in 2021-2022. The percentage of women with speaking roles also declined to 43% — down from 44% in 2022-2023 and 46% in 2021-2022.

The report found the majority of female characters were in their 20s and 30s, compared with the majority of male characters, who were in their 30s and 40s. Just 29% of female characters were aged 40 or older. 

“Following the promiscuous spending and feverish optimism about the potential of streaming services during the pandemic and the interruption in production caused by the writers’ and actors’ strikes, the television industry is now contracting and coming back down to earth,” Lauzen wrote.

“It appears that the recent tumult has taken a toll on women working behind the scenes, as well as on the percentages of female characters appearing on screen.”

In 2023-2024, women made up 34% of executive producers, 45% of producers, 33% of writers, 19% of directors, 19% of editors and 8% of directors of photography.