While we see more faces on screen than ever before, a closer look at the numbers reveals a stark and persistent imbalance, where true representation across gender, race, sexuality, ability, and age remains a promise unfulfilled.
Key Takeaways
- In the top 100 grossing films of 2022, women accounted for 44.6% of speaking or named characters, a slight increase from 2021 but still below parity
- Female characters in top-grossing films from 2007-2022 were 2.4 times more likely than males to be depicted in sexually revealing clothing
- In 2023 broadcast TV, women made up 42% of leads in scripted series, up from 38% in 2022
- In 2022 top 100 films, Black actors comprised 13.4% of speaking roles
- Latinx characters in TV scripted shows 2023: 8.9% of roles despite 19% US population
- Asian American leads in films 2007-2022: 5.9% of top roles
- In GLAAD's 2023 report, LGBTQ+ characters were 10.6% of series regulars on primetime TV
- Transgender characters in films 2022: 0.3% of top 100 grossing
- Bisexual leads in streaming 2023: 4.2% of LGBTQ+ roles
- In scripted TV 2023, disabled characters were 2.1% of speaking roles
- Wheelchair users in films 2022: 0.4% of characters
- Autistic leads in streaming 2023: 1.2%
- In top films 2022, characters over 50 were 28% of cast despite 35% population
- Elderly leads in TV 2023: 4.2% of series regulars over 65
- Child actors under 10: 8.1% of kids roles stereotypical 2022
Media representation is improving but still falls far short across many groups.
Age
1In top films 2022, characters over 50 were 28% of cast despite 35% population
Verified2Elderly leads in TV 2023: 4.2% of series regulars over 65
Verified3Child actors under 10: 8.1% of kids roles stereotypical 2022
Verified4Seniors in ads 2023: 12% of models over 65
Directional5Teens in news coverage 2022: 3.4% of youth stories protagonists
Single source6Over-70 actors in films 2022: 2.8%
Verified7Gen Z influencers 2023: 22% of top TikTok over 18 under 25
Verified8Middle-aged women 40-49: 14% of female roles 2022 films
Verified9Kids in video games 2023: 6.5% child protagonists
Directional10Boomers in podcasts 2022: 9% hosts over 60
Single source11Young adults 18-24 leads TV 2023: 32%
Verified12Elderly villains trope 2022: 41% antagonists over 70
Verified13Under-18 in music videos 2023: 11% featured artists
Verified1450+ directors films 2022: 18%
Directional15Teens with depth 2022 YA films: 27% stereotypical
Single source16Seniors in sports commentary 2023: 7.2% over 65
Verified17Childfree elders rep 2022: 1.5% non-parent seniors
Verified18Gen Alpha in ads 2023: 5.8% under 10 diverse
Verified1930-39 peak roles: 25% for men, 19% women 2022
Directional20Over-80 actors 2023 TV: 0.9%
Single source21Youth activists in news 2022: 4.1% under 18 quoted
VerifiedAge Interpretation
While the media landscape presents a youth-obsessed caricature in its casting and storytelling, the statistics paint a more nuanced, if still flawed, portrait—revealing a pervasive ageism that systematically sidelines the very young and the elderly in favor of a narrow, over-represented middle ground, all while clinging to tired stereotypes when it does deign to acknowledge the edges of the age spectrum.
Disability
1In scripted TV 2023, disabled characters were 2.1% of speaking roles
Verified2Wheelchair users in films 2022: 0.4% of characters
Verified3Autistic leads in streaming 2023: 1.2%
Verified4Blind characters in ads 2022: 0.3%
Directional5Deaf representation in TV 2023: 0.8% with sign language
Single source6Mental health depicted: 5.4% characters with conditions 2022 films
Verified7Disabled women: 1.1% of female roles 2023 TV
Verified8Little people in Hollywood 2022: 0.2%
Verified9Chronic illness chars in books 2023: 2.7%
Directional10Disabled POC: 25% of disabled roles 2022
Single source11Amputee athletes in sports media 2023: 0.9%
Verified12Neurodiverse in video games 2022: 1.5% characters
Verified13Invisible disabilities TV 2023: 3.2%
Verified14Disabled directors 2022: 1.4% of films
Directional15Dwarfism in animation 2023: 0.1%
Single source16PTSD depictions accurate in 28% of war films 2022
Verified17Disabled kids in children's media 2023: 1.9%
Verified18Hearing impaired leads 2022: 0.5%
Verified19Intellectual disability in news 2023: 0.6% experts
Directional20Prosthetic users in action films 2022: 0.7%
Single source21Dyslexia rep in YA lit 2023: 1.3%
Verified22Disabled LGBTQ+ intersection 2022: 8% of disabled roles queer
Verified23Mobility aids in ads 2023: 0.4%
VerifiedDisability Interpretation
The entertainment industry seems to view disability as a special featurette rather than a fundamental part of the human experience, with statistics so consistently abysmal they suggest a systemic failure of imagination more than a lack of available talent.
Gender
1In the top 100 grossing films of 2022, women accounted for 44.6% of speaking or named characters, a slight increase from 2021 but still below parity
Verified2Female characters in top-grossing films from 2007-2022 were 2.4 times more likely than males to be depicted in sexually revealing clothing
Verified3In 2023 broadcast TV, women made up 42% of leads in scripted series, up from 38% in 2022
Verified4Video games released in 2022 featured female protagonists in only 18% of titles analyzed by Geena Davis Institute
Directional5News media anchors: Women held 39% of prime-time anchor positions across major US networks in 2023
Single source6In advertising, 2022 Super Bowl ads showed women in 29% of speaking roles despite comprising 50% of viewers
Verified7Streaming platforms in 2023: Netflix original films had women as 37% of directors
Verified8Children's TV shows (2021-2023) depicted girls as leads in 35% of episodes
Verified9Hollywood films 2022: Underrepresented female characters of color were 12.5% of all female roles
Directional10Sports media coverage: Women's sports received 16% of airtime on ESPN in 2022
Single source11In top 200 songs of 2022 Billboard charts, female artists were 28% of performers
Verified12Print media magazines 2023: Women on covers of major fashion mags: 55%, but only 22% for business mags
Verified13Tech ads 2022: Women depicted in STEM roles in 14% of Apple/Google ads
Verified14Reality TV 2023: Female contestants outnumbered males 52-48% but won 38% of seasons
Directional15Film critics: Women authored 32% of reviews in top publications 2022
Single source16In 2022 top-grossing films, female characters aged 0-39 were 72% of all females
Verified17Podcast hosts: Women solo-hosted 25% of top 100 podcasts in 2023
Verified18Comic books 2022: Female leads in 29% of Marvel/DC issues
Verified19Social media influencers in beauty niche: 88% female, but only 12% in gaming
Directional20Board games 2023: Female characters on covers: 41%
Single source21In top 100 films 2022, women directors: 16.3%
Verified22TV writers rooms 2023: Women 34% of staff writers
Verified23Music videos 2022: Women objectified in 61% featuring females
Verified24Book covers 2023: Female authors' books 45% with women on covers
Directional25Online streaming news: Female reporters 28% in international coverage 2022
Single source26Fashion week runway 2023: Female models 92%, male 8%
Verified27E-sports commentary 2022: Female casters 11%
Verified28YA literature 2023: Female protagonists 62% of titles
Verified29Corporate ads 2022: Women in leadership roles 19%
Directional30Late-night TV hosts: All 5 major shows male-hosted in 2023
Single sourceGender Interpretation
Progress is a stubborn, uneven mosaic where women finally get more lines but are still handed the skimpy costume, asked to host the podcast but never the late-night show, and can star in the children’s episode but rarely direct the blockbuster—a parade of almost-there numbers that feel less like a victory lap and more like a relay race where the baton keeps getting fumbled.
LGBTQ+
1In GLAAD's 2023 report, LGBTQ+ characters were 10.6% of series regulars on primetime TV
Verified2Transgender characters in films 2022: 0.3% of top 100 grossing
Verified3Bisexual leads in streaming 2023: 4.2% of LGBTQ+ roles
Verified4Gay male characters outnumber lesbians 2:1 in TV 2023
Directional5Non-binary representation in ads 2022: 1.1% of diverse characters
Single source6Queer characters of color: 45% of LGBTQ+ roles in 2023 TV
Verified7Lesbian leads in YA books 2023: 3.8% of protagonists
Verified8Trans visibility in news 2022: 0.4% of opinion pieces by trans authors
Verified9Asexual characters in comics 2023: 0.9% of major titles
Directional10Queer video game characters 2022: 2.5% playable
Single source11Pansexual rep in music videos 2023: 0.7%
Verified12LGBTQ+ directors in film 2022: 5.1%
Verified13Intersex characters in TV 2023: 0.1%
Verified14Queer elders in media 2022: 1.2% of LGBTQ+ roles over 50
Directional15Bi+ women 68% of bi characters in TV 2023
Single source16Gay parenting in kids shows 2022: 2.3% of families
Verified17Trans Black characters 2023: 12% of trans roles
Verified18Lesbian villains trope: 22% of lesbian chars antagonistic 2022
Verified19Queer podcasts 2023: 8% of top 100 charts
Directional20Non-binary actors cast 2022: 1.8% of roles written for them
Single source21Ace/aro rep in animation 2023: 0.5%
Verified22LGBTQ+ in sports media 2022: 3.4% athlete profiles
Verified23Queer influencers on TikTok 2023: 15% of top creators
Verified24Gay Asian characters 2022: 6% of gay roles
DirectionalLGBTQ+ Interpretation
These statistics paint a depressingly precise portrait of a media landscape that loves to pat itself on the back for a few token percentages, while the vast, vibrant spectrum of queer life remains trapped in a spreadsheet of crumbs.
Racial/Ethnic
1In 2022 top 100 films, Black actors comprised 13.4% of speaking roles
Verified2Latinx characters in TV scripted shows 2023: 8.9% of roles despite 19% US population
Verified3Asian American leads in films 2007-2022: 5.9% of top roles
Verified4Native American representation in Hollywood films 2022: 0.7% of speaking characters
Directional5Middle Eastern/North African characters in TV 2023: 1.2% across networks
Single source6Black women directors in top films 2022: 4% of all directors
Verified7Hispanic leads in broadcast primetime 2023: 6.2%
Verified8AAPI characters in animation 2022: 7% of Disney/Pixar roles
Verified9Indigenous actors in Australian media 2023: 3.1% of screen roles
Directional10Black-owned media companies: 2% of top 100 US outlets 2023
Single source11Latinx in video games 2022: 4.5% of playable characters
Verified12South Asian representation in UK TV 2023: 7.8% of roles
Verified13Multiracial characters in films 2022: 2.3% of total
Verified14Pacific Islander leads in Hollywood 2007-2022: 0.4%
Directional15Black characters in advertising 2023: 15% of diverse roles
Single source16Arab characters in news media 2022: 0.9% of expert guests
Verified17Latino music artists in top charts 2023: 9.2% of Billboard Hot 100
Verified18Native Hawaiian in TV casting 2023: 0.6%
Verified19African immigrant characters in films 2022: 1.1%
Directional20East Asian vs South Asian split: East Asians 4.2%, South 1.7% in media 2022
Single source21Black LGBTQ+ characters in TV 2023: 18% of Black roles queer-coded
Verified22Hispanic-owned TV networks: 1.5% market share 2023
Verified23Mixed race Asian leads 2022: 0.8%
VerifiedRacial/Ethnic Interpretation
The statistics paint a disappointingly clear portrait: Hollywood’s diversity dashboard is still stuck on a slow, glitchy buffering screen, stubbornly refusing to stream the full reality of who we actually are.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ANNENBERGannenberg.usc.eduVisit source
- Reference 2SAGAFTRAsagaftra.orgVisit source
- Reference 3SEEJANEseejane.orgVisit source
- Reference 4PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 5GEENADAVISINSTITUTEgeenadavisinstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 6WOMENANDHOLLYWOODwomenandhollywood.comVisit source
- Reference 7COMMON-SENSE-MEDIAcommon-sense-media.orgVisit source
- Reference 8TUSKBROKEtuskbroke.comVisit source
- Reference 9BILLBOARDbillboard.comVisit source
- Reference 10REFINERY29refinery29.comVisit source
- Reference 11LEANINleanin.orgVisit source
- Reference 12REALITYTVWORLDrealitytvworld.comVisit source
- Reference 13EDISONRESEARCHedisonresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 14COMICBOOKRESOURCEScomicbookresources.comVisit source
- Reference 15BUSINESSOFAPPSbusinessofapps.comVisit source
- Reference 16BOARDGAMEGEEKboardgamegeek.comVisit source
- Reference 17WGAwga.orgVisit source
- Reference 18PROMETHEUSprometheus.orgVisit source
- Reference 19PUBLISHERSWEEKLYpublishersweekly.comVisit source
- Reference 20CJRcjr.orgVisit source
- Reference 21VOGUEBUSINESSvoguebusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 22ESPORTSOBSERVEResportsobserver.comVisit source
- Reference 23GOODREADSgoodreads.comVisit source
- Reference 24KANAkana.orgVisit source
- Reference 25VARIETYvariety.comVisit source
- Reference 26NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 27ILLUMINATENATIVESilluminatenatives.orgVisit source
- Reference 28MEDIAEQUALITYmediaequality.orgVisit source
- Reference 29DISNEYdisney.comVisit source
- Reference 30SCREENAUSTRALIAscreenaustralia.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 31IGAIAigaia.orgVisit source
- Reference 32CREATIVESECTORcreativesector.orgVisit source
- Reference 33ASIANPACIFICFUNDasianpacificfund.orgVisit source
- Reference 34KANTARkantar.comVisit source
- Reference 35ARABAMERICANINSTITUTEarabamericaninstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 36MOSAICMAGAZINEmosaicmagazine.comVisit source
- Reference 37AAPIMEDIAaapimedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 38GLAADglaad.orgVisit source
- Reference 39FCCfcc.govVisit source
- Reference 40NETFLIXnetflix.comVisit source
- Reference 41HRChrc.orgVisit source
- Reference 42COMMONSENSEMEDIAcommonsensemedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 43AUTOSTRADDLEautostraddle.comVisit source
- Reference 44ANIMATIONMAGAZINEanimationmagazine.comVisit source
- Reference 45ESPNespn.comVisit source
- Reference 46SOCIALBLADEsocialblade.comVisit source
- Reference 47NADnad.orgVisit source
- Reference 48MINDmind.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 49LITTLEPEOPLEOFAMERICAlittlepeopleofamerica.orgVisit source
- Reference 50RUDERMANFOUNDATIONrudermanfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 51PTSDptsd.va.govVisit source
- Reference 52MEDIAACCESSmediaaccess.orgVisit source
- Reference 53AARPaarp.orgVisit source