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
- 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
- Seniors in ads 2023: 12% of models over 65
- Teens in news coverage 2022: 3.4% of youth stories protagonists
- Over-70 actors in films 2022: 2.8%
- Gen Z influencers 2023: 22% of top TikTok over 18 under 25
- Middle-aged women 40-49: 14% of female roles 2022 films
- Kids in video games 2023: 6.5% child protagonists
- Boomers in podcasts 2022: 9% hosts over 60
- Young adults 18-24 leads TV 2023: 32%
- Elderly villains trope 2022: 41% antagonists over 70
- Under-18 in music videos 2023: 11% featured artists
- 50+ directors films 2022: 18%
- Teens with depth 2022 YA films: 27% stereotypical
- Seniors in sports commentary 2023: 7.2% over 65
- Childfree elders rep 2022: 1.5% non-parent seniors
- Gen Alpha in ads 2023: 5.8% under 10 diverse
- 30-39 peak roles: 25% for men, 19% women 2022
- Over-80 actors 2023 TV: 0.9%
- Youth activists in news 2022: 4.1% under 18 quoted
Age 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
- 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%
- Blind characters in ads 2022: 0.3%
- Deaf representation in TV 2023: 0.8% with sign language
- Mental health depicted: 5.4% characters with conditions 2022 films
- Disabled women: 1.1% of female roles 2023 TV
- Little people in Hollywood 2022: 0.2%
- Chronic illness chars in books 2023: 2.7%
- Disabled POC: 25% of disabled roles 2022
- Amputee athletes in sports media 2023: 0.9%
- Neurodiverse in video games 2022: 1.5% characters
- Invisible disabilities TV 2023: 3.2%
- Disabled directors 2022: 1.4% of films
- Dwarfism in animation 2023: 0.1%
- PTSD depictions accurate in 28% of war films 2022
- Disabled kids in children's media 2023: 1.9%
- Hearing impaired leads 2022: 0.5%
- Intellectual disability in news 2023: 0.6% experts
- Prosthetic users in action films 2022: 0.7%
- Dyslexia rep in YA lit 2023: 1.3%
- Disabled LGBTQ+ intersection 2022: 8% of disabled roles queer
- Mobility aids in ads 2023: 0.4%
Disability 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
- 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
- Video games released in 2022 featured female protagonists in only 18% of titles analyzed by Geena Davis Institute
- News media anchors: Women held 39% of prime-time anchor positions across major US networks in 2023
- In advertising, 2022 Super Bowl ads showed women in 29% of speaking roles despite comprising 50% of viewers
- Streaming platforms in 2023: Netflix original films had women as 37% of directors
- Children's TV shows (2021-2023) depicted girls as leads in 35% of episodes
- Hollywood films 2022: Underrepresented female characters of color were 12.5% of all female roles
- Sports media coverage: Women's sports received 16% of airtime on ESPN in 2022
- In top 200 songs of 2022 Billboard charts, female artists were 28% of performers
- Print media magazines 2023: Women on covers of major fashion mags: 55%, but only 22% for business mags
- Tech ads 2022: Women depicted in STEM roles in 14% of Apple/Google ads
- Reality TV 2023: Female contestants outnumbered males 52-48% but won 38% of seasons
- Film critics: Women authored 32% of reviews in top publications 2022
- In 2022 top-grossing films, female characters aged 0-39 were 72% of all females
- Podcast hosts: Women solo-hosted 25% of top 100 podcasts in 2023
- Comic books 2022: Female leads in 29% of Marvel/DC issues
- Social media influencers in beauty niche: 88% female, but only 12% in gaming
- Board games 2023: Female characters on covers: 41%
- In top 100 films 2022, women directors: 16.3%
- TV writers rooms 2023: Women 34% of staff writers
- Music videos 2022: Women objectified in 61% featuring females
- Book covers 2023: Female authors' books 45% with women on covers
- Online streaming news: Female reporters 28% in international coverage 2022
- Fashion week runway 2023: Female models 92%, male 8%
- E-sports commentary 2022: Female casters 11%
- YA literature 2023: Female protagonists 62% of titles
- Corporate ads 2022: Women in leadership roles 19%
- Late-night TV hosts: All 5 major shows male-hosted in 2023
Gender 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+
- 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
- Gay male characters outnumber lesbians 2:1 in TV 2023
- Non-binary representation in ads 2022: 1.1% of diverse characters
- Queer characters of color: 45% of LGBTQ+ roles in 2023 TV
- Lesbian leads in YA books 2023: 3.8% of protagonists
- Trans visibility in news 2022: 0.4% of opinion pieces by trans authors
- Asexual characters in comics 2023: 0.9% of major titles
- Queer video game characters 2022: 2.5% playable
- Pansexual rep in music videos 2023: 0.7%
- LGBTQ+ directors in film 2022: 5.1%
- Intersex characters in TV 2023: 0.1%
- Queer elders in media 2022: 1.2% of LGBTQ+ roles over 50
- Bi+ women 68% of bi characters in TV 2023
- Gay parenting in kids shows 2022: 2.3% of families
- Trans Black characters 2023: 12% of trans roles
- Lesbian villains trope: 22% of lesbian chars antagonistic 2022
- Queer podcasts 2023: 8% of top 100 charts
- Non-binary actors cast 2022: 1.8% of roles written for them
- Ace/aro rep in animation 2023: 0.5%
- LGBTQ+ in sports media 2022: 3.4% athlete profiles
- Queer influencers on TikTok 2023: 15% of top creators
- Gay Asian characters 2022: 6% of gay roles
LGBTQ+ 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
- 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
- Native American representation in Hollywood films 2022: 0.7% of speaking characters
- Middle Eastern/North African characters in TV 2023: 1.2% across networks
- Black women directors in top films 2022: 4% of all directors
- Hispanic leads in broadcast primetime 2023: 6.2%
- AAPI characters in animation 2022: 7% of Disney/Pixar roles
- Indigenous actors in Australian media 2023: 3.1% of screen roles
- Black-owned media companies: 2% of top 100 US outlets 2023
- Latinx in video games 2022: 4.5% of playable characters
- South Asian representation in UK TV 2023: 7.8% of roles
- Multiracial characters in films 2022: 2.3% of total
- Pacific Islander leads in Hollywood 2007-2022: 0.4%
- Black characters in advertising 2023: 15% of diverse roles
- Arab characters in news media 2022: 0.9% of expert guests
- Latino music artists in top charts 2023: 9.2% of Billboard Hot 100
- Native Hawaiian in TV casting 2023: 0.6%
- African immigrant characters in films 2022: 1.1%
- East Asian vs South Asian split: East Asians 4.2%, South 1.7% in media 2022
- Black LGBTQ+ characters in TV 2023: 18% of Black roles queer-coded
- Hispanic-owned TV networks: 1.5% market share 2023
- Mixed race Asian leads 2022: 0.8%
Racial/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.
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