Minorities and representation in TV and film in the United States - statistics & facts

Movies and television shows can transport audiences to different time zones, places, and imaginary worlds. They can make viewers feel emotions through the stories they tell and the characters they portray. But do they also reflect the diversity of the audience they cater to? This question has been raised more frequently than ever in the recent past, with calls for appropriate inclusion and representation becoming louder every year. Data on the distribution of employees in the U.S. motion picture and video industries shows that women and minority groups are distinctly underrepresented behind the scenes. While on and off-screen diversity has come a long way, the world’s largest theatrical film market still has some catching up to do.

Diversity in Hollywood

Hollywood has made slow but steady leaps towards diversity in the recent past. Looking at some of the key employment areas, it is undeniable that women, people of color, and other minority groups have made meaningful progress. For example, women essentially reached proportionate representation among movie leads in 2020 and 2021. However, the share of female lead actors in films decreased again in 2022 to below 40 percent. And while 2021 was the year with the highest share of female directors in the history of Hollywood, women remain underrepresented behind the camera. A similar picture is painted for people of color, who have approached proportionate representation among film leads and total actors while accounting for only 12 to 16 percent of writers and directors. When it comes to honoring the cinematic contributions of diverse creatives, award shows also have a long way to go. At the 95th Academy Awards, for example, a record number of ethnically Chinese and Indian descent won the coveted trophy, including Best Actress Michelle Yeoh and Best Actor in a Supporting Role Ke Huy Quan, as well as Best Director-Screenwriter Daniel Kwan. However, the 2023 Oscars only honored one Black and one Latino winner.

Being seen on the (small) screen

Over the past decade, the share of series regulars on U.S broadcast TV that are people of color has steadily increased, indicating that the country’s TV landscape is gradually becoming more diverse. Interestingly, this trend has also been fueled by the streaming revolution. Streaming programs have shown to employ a higher percentage of women behind the scenes than broadcast networks, and on screen, the cast and narratives of streaming shows are also expanding in terms of inclusivity. That said, there is still work to be done when it comes to issues surrounding gender, race, ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ portrayals. Knowing that on-screen presence does not automatically imply inclusion, Disney+ added a content warning to movies that contain inaccurate cultural depictions or perpetuate negative stereotypes. Despite this step prompted outcries from many viewers, a recent survey found that the majority of U.S. adults think that it is important for Disney princesses to reflect racial diversity.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Share of female employees in the U.S. motion pictures and video industries: 31%

Share of female movie directors in the U.S.: 14.6%

Share of minority lead actors in movies in the U.S.: 21.6%

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries in the United States in 2022, by ethnicity

Cinema & Film

Employees in the motion picture & video industries in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity

Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries in the United States in 2022, by gender

Cinema & Film

Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries 2022, by gender

Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by ethnicity

Cinema & Film

Distribution lead actors in films in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity

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Overview

Premium Statistic Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries 2022, by gender
Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries 2022, by gender
Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries in the United States in 2022, by gender
Premium Statistic Employees in the motion picture & video industries in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity
Employees in the motion picture & video industries in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of employees in the motion picture and video industries in the United States in 2022, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Distribution of employees in the broadcasting industry 2022, by gender
Distribution of employees in the broadcasting industry 2022, by gender
Distribution of employees in the broadcasting industry in the United States in 2022, by gender
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Share of employees in the U.S. broadcasting industry 2022, by ethnicity
Share of employees in the broadcasting industry in the United States in 2022, by ethnicity

Film

Premium Statistic Distribution of movie directors in the U.S. 2011-2022, by gender
Distribution of movie directors in the U.S. 2011-2022, by gender
Distribution of movie directors in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by gender
Premium Statistic Film writers' gender distribution in the U.S. 2011-2022
Film writers' gender distribution in the U.S. 2011-2022
Distribution of movie writers in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by gender
Premium Statistic Distribution of lead actors in movies in the U.S. 2011-2022, by gender
Distribution of lead actors in movies in the U.S. 2011-2022, by gender
Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by gender
Premium Statistic Distribution of speaking characters in film in the U.S. 2002-2023, by gender
Distribution of speaking characters in film in the U.S. 2002-2023, by gender
Distribution of speaking characters in highest-grossing movies in the United States from 2002 to 2023, by gender
Premium Statistic Distribution of movie directors in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of movie directors in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of movie directors in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Distribution of movie writers in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of movie writers in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of movie writers in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Distribution lead actors in films in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution lead actors in films in the U.S. 2011-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2022, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Distribution of male & female characters in top-grossing films 2023, by ethnicity
Distribution of male & female characters in top-grossing films 2023, by ethnicity
Distribution of male and female characters in top-grossing films in the United States in 2023, by ethnicity
Basic Statistic Identity of LGBTQ characters in LGBTQ-inclusive movies in the U.S. 2022
Identity of LGBTQ characters in LGBTQ-inclusive movies in the U.S. 2022
Identity of LGBTQ characters in LGBTQ-inclusive movies released in the United States in 2022
Basic Statistic Share of LGBTQ-inclusive movies released in the U.S. 2022, by network
Share of LGBTQ-inclusive movies released in the U.S. 2022, by network
Share of LGBTQ-inclusive movies released in the United States in 2022, by network

TV and video streaming

Premium Statistic Female characters on broadcast network programs in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity
Female characters on broadcast network programs in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of female characters on broadcast network programs in the United States in the 2021-22 season, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Share of female staff on broadcast network programs in the U.S. 2022, by role
Share of female staff on broadcast network programs in the U.S. 2022, by role
Share of female employees in behind-the-scenes jobs on broadcast network programs in the United States in the 2021-22 season, by role
Premium Statistic Distribution of speaking characters on broadcast TV in the U.S. 1997-2022, by gender
Distribution of speaking characters on broadcast TV in the U.S. 1997-2022, by gender
Distribution of speaking characters on broadcast and streaming programs in the United States from 1997/98 to 2021/22, by gender
Basic Statistic LGBTQ characters share on broadcast networks in the U.S. 2023, by ethnicity
LGBTQ characters share on broadcast networks in the U.S. 2023, by ethnicity
Distribution of LGBTQ characters on broadcast networks in the United States in the 2022-23 season, by ethnicity
Basic Statistic LGBTQ characters share on cable networks in the U.S. 2023, by ethnicity
LGBTQ characters share on cable networks in the U.S. 2023, by ethnicity
Distribution of LGBTQ characters on cable networks in the 2022-23 season, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Female characters in original streaming movies in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity
Female characters in original streaming movies in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of all speaking female characters in original movies by streaming services in the United States in 2022, by ethnicity
Premium Statistic Share of females behind-the-scenes in TV streaming in the U.S. 2022, by role
Share of females behind-the-scenes in TV streaming in the U.S. 2022, by role
Share of female employees in behind-the-scenes jobs on streaming TV programs in the United States in 2021-2022, by role
Basic Statistic LGBTQ characters share on streaming services in the U.S. 2023, by ethnicity
LGBTQ characters share on streaming services in the U.S. 2023, by ethnicity
Distribution of LGBTQ characters on streaming services in the United States in the 2022-23 season, by ethnicity

TV news

Basic Statistic TV newsroom employees in the U.S. 2017-2022, by ethnicity
TV newsroom employees in the U.S. 2017-2022, by ethnicity
Distribution of employees in TV newsrooms in the United States from 2017 to 2022, by ethnicity
Basic Statistic Minority TV news workforce in the U.S. 1990-2022
Minority TV news workforce in the U.S. 1990-2022
Share of minority employees in the television news workforce in the United States from 1990 to 2022
Premium Statistic Broadcast news covering anti-trans violence in the U.S. 2021-2022
Broadcast news covering anti-trans violence in the U.S. 2021-2022
Time spent by broadcast news covering anti-trans violence in the United States in 2021 and 2022 (in minutes)
Premium Statistic Cable news coverage of anti-trans violence in the U.S. 2021-2022
Cable news coverage of anti-trans violence in the U.S. 2021-2022
Time spent by cable news covering anti-trans violence in the United States in 2021 and 2022 (in minutes)

Consumer perspectives

Premium Statistic LGBTQ+ perception of non-inclusivity in TV and streaming content worldwide 2022
LGBTQ+ perception of non-inclusivity in TV and streaming content worldwide 2022
Share of LGBTQ+ audiences perceiving TV and streaming content to be very non-inclusive worldwide as of 1st quarter 2022, by identity group
Premium Statistic Importance of racial representation by Disney princesses in the U.S. 2023
Importance of racial representation by Disney princesses in the U.S. 2023
Opinion on the importance of racial diversity reflected by Disney princesses in the United States in 2023
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Share of Americans who approve of openly lesbian Disney princess in the US 2023
Attitudes towards the introduction of an openly gay or lesbian Disney princess in the United States in May 2023
Premium Statistic Spanish-language TV consumption among Latinx viewers in the U.S. 2023
Spanish-language TV consumption among Latinx viewers in the U.S. 2023
Share of Hispanic viewers watching Spanish-language TV content at least occassionally in the United States in 2023
Basic Statistic Share of adults agreeing that a woman should play James Bond in the U.S. 2022
Share of adults agreeing that a woman should play James Bond in the U.S. 2022
Percentage of adults who agreed that a woman should be cast as James Bond to help diversity roles in Hollywood and entertainment in the United States as of October 2022

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