Women Off-Screen: A Data-Driven Analysis of Gender Inequalities in Italian TV Serial Production (2000–2023)

Cultural and creative industries are often perceived as progressive, yet gender inequalities persist across various sectors. Using data from IMDb on 12,820 episodes and 524,406 credits, this study investigates gender disparities in Italian TV serial production from 2000 to 2023, focusing on women’s involvement and employment trends across various professional roles. Our findings reveal a significant gender gap, with women constituting only about one-third of the workforce. Despite a slight increase in female employment over the years, particularly in below-the-line roles, the overall trend remains marginal. Comparisons with broader Italian audiovisual and economic sectors show that TV serial production is less inclusive. This study highlights the persistence of gender disparities and calls for a reevaluation of cultural labor practices to increase women’s meaningful participation. As part of ongoing research, we aim to explore additional factors influencing the gender gap, offering insights for fostering equality in media production and guiding policy interventions.