A recent comprehensive study, "Boxed In," has delivered a stark assessment of gender parity in U.S. television production, revealing a significant downturn in the number of women serving as creators and directors for original streaming shows during the 2025-26 television year. This decline is mirrored by a reduction in female characters occupying major roles on screen. The findings, released Tuesday, paint a concerning picture of stalled progress, with key metrics now falling below levels seen nearly a decade ago.
The report, meticulously compiled by Dr. Martha Lauzen, executive director of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, analyzed over 2,500 characters and more than 3,600 behind-the-scenes credits across original programming. This marks the 27th consecutive year of the "Boxed In" study, which has been a vital resource for tracking the representation and employment of women in the television industry since the 1997-98 season. The study’s extensive historical data, encompassing over 65,000 characters and 80,000 behind-the-scenes credits, provides a crucial benchmark for understanding long-term trends.
Steep Decline in Women Creators on Streaming Platforms
The most significant drop observed in the "Boxed In" report is the sharp decrease in women serving as creators of original U.S. shows on streaming services. The percentage plummeted from 36 percent in the 2024-25 television year to a mere 24 percent in 2025-26. This represents a substantial regression, especially when contrasted with the preceding year’s modest gains, which saw an increase from 27 percent in 2023-24 to 36 percent in 2024-25. Dr. Lauzen highlighted the sobering reality of these figures, stating, "The numbers of women creating shows on both platforms are now lower than they were almost a decade ago in 2017-18."
This recent downturn suggests that the positive surge witnessed in the 2024-25 season was an anomaly rather than the harbinger of a sustained upward trend. The report also noted a slight decrease in women creators on broadcast television, falling from 20 percent in 2024-25 to 19 percent in 2025-26. While the numbers for broadcast are consistently lower than streaming, the continued decline further underscores the pervasive challenges faced by women in leadership roles within the industry.
Directors’ Chairs Remain Largely Occupied by Men
The data also reveals a concerning trend for women in directing roles on streaming projects. The percentage of women directors dropped from 32 percent in 2024-25 to 22 percent in 2025-26. This follows a similar pattern of a temporary increase after the 2023-24 season, where women accounted for 23 percent of directors. On broadcast television, the figures for women directors also saw a dip, declining from 18 percent in 2024-25 to 16 percent in 2025-26.
The cyclical nature of these statistics—a brief period of improvement followed by a significant rollback—raises questions about the industry’s commitment to fostering an equitable environment for women behind the camera. The "Boxed In" study has consistently documented these fluctuations, providing a longitudinal view of the challenges in achieving gender balance.
On-Screen Representation Also Sees a Dip
Beyond the behind-the-scenes roles, the study also tracked the representation of female characters in major roles on screen. For streaming platforms, women comprised 44 percent of major characters in the 2025-26 television year, a decrease from 49 percent in the previous year. Broadcast television also experienced a slight decline, with females accounting for 46 percent of major characters, down from 47 percent in 2024-25.
While the figures for on-screen representation remain higher than those for creators and directors, the downward trend is still a cause for concern. It suggests a potential narrowing of opportunities for women to be cast in prominent and complex roles, which can influence audience perceptions and societal narratives.
The Ageism Barrier Persists for Female Characters
A particularly persistent issue highlighted by the "Boxed In" report is the stark difference in how male and female characters are allowed to age on television. The study found that on both streaming and broadcast shows, the majority of women in speaking roles were concentrated in their 20s and 30s. In contrast, the majority of men were found in their 30s and 40s.
Furthermore, the report observed a significant drop-off in the number of female characters as they transitioned from their 30s into their 40s. Male characters, however, did not experience a substantial decline in representation until their 50s. This disparity suggests an industry-wide bias that prioritizes youth for women on screen, while allowing men to credibly occupy roles of increasing influence and experience as they age.
Dr. Lauzen elaborated on the implications of this age-related disparity, stating, "The emphasis on youth for the majority of female characters foregrounds their appearance, whereas males are able to credibly age into positions of personal and public power, normalizing the perception that men are naturally more powerful than women." She further emphasized that "The fully-realized characters played by Kathy Bates on Matlock or Jean Smart on Hacks remain the exception, not the rule, for women on television." This observation points to a systemic issue where age and experience are valued differently for men and women in the context of storytelling.
Contextualizing the Findings: A History of Stalled Progress
The "Boxed In" study’s latest findings arrive at a time when conversations about diversity and inclusion in Hollywood have been amplified. In June, The Hollywood Reporter published an article that drew attention to the lack of progress in women-held below-the-line positions. This discussion was partly sparked by a behind-the-scenes video of Sydney Sweeney on the set of Euphoria season three, which circulated widely on social media. The clip drew criticism for the apparent male dominance of the crew visible, with many social media users pointing out the disparity.
While the "Boxed In" study focuses on creators, directors, and lead characters, its findings align with broader concerns about gender representation across various facets of television production. The current report suggests that the industry may be experiencing a period of regression, moving away from the incremental gains previously achieved.
Potential Industry Responses and Implications
The implications of these declining numbers are far-reaching. A lack of female creators and directors can lead to stories that lack diverse perspectives and fail to resonate with a broader audience. When women are underrepresented in key creative and leadership roles, the narratives and characters that are brought to life on screen may perpetuate existing gender stereotypes and limit the scope of storytelling.
The persistent ageism faced by female characters also sends a subtle but powerful message about the perceived value of women as they mature. This can impact not only the types of roles available but also how women are viewed and perceived in society at large.
While the "Boxed In" study presents data, it does not offer prescriptive solutions. However, the findings strongly suggest a need for renewed and more robust initiatives from streaming services and broadcast networks. These could include:
- Targeted recruitment and mentorship programs: Actively seeking out and supporting female talent for creator and director roles.
- Blind submission processes: Implementing processes that reduce unconscious bias in the initial stages of project selection.
- Incentives for diversity: Creating financial or promotional incentives for shows that demonstrate a commitment to gender parity in key creative positions.
- Accountability measures: Holding networks and studios accountable for meeting diversity goals.
- Continued research and advocacy: Ongoing studies like "Boxed In" are crucial for monitoring progress and highlighting areas needing attention.
The television industry has long grappled with the challenge of achieving true gender equality. The "Boxed In" study’s latest findings serve as a critical reminder that progress is not linear and that sustained effort and intentionality are required to ensure that women are equitably represented both behind and in front of the camera. The industry’s ability to reflect the diversity of its audience hinges on its commitment to creating opportunities for all voices to be heard and seen.
