The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has released data that sheds light on the hiring trends in episodic television during the 2023-2024 season. The findings reveal a steady increase in the employment of women and directors of color over the past decade, even amidst the challenges posed by the recent industry disruptions.

Unlocking Opportunities: Diversity Trends in Episodic TV Directing

Steady Progress, Persistent Gaps

The data analyzed 1,430 DGA-covered television episodes produced during the 2023-2024 season, revealing that 37% of all episodes were directed by women, a 16% increase from the previous decade. Similarly, 39% of episodes were directed by people of color, the same percentage as the two previous seasons and an 18% increase from the decade prior.While these gains are encouraging, the data also highlights the persistent gaps in representation. The DGA's Television Diversity Task Force co-chair, Edward Ornelas, emphasized the need to focus on increasing behind-the-camera representation for the Latino community, which continues to lag despite its status as a large historically marginalized group.

Diversifying Directorial Teams

The data also sheds light on the diversity of directorial teams working in episodic television. During the 2023-2024 season, hiring rates for female members of directorial teams were listed at 41%, while for directors of color, the rate was 21%.Heidi McGowen, a UPM member who serves on the Television Diversity Task Force, noted that the diversity of directorial teams remains low compared to the hiring gains for episodic directors. She emphasized the need for studios to prioritize increasing inclusion at every level to foster a profession that truly reflects a wide range of perspectives.

Navigating Industry Disruptions

Despite the challenges posed by the recent industry disruptions, including the strikes, the data shows that the industry has maintained a steady course in its efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in episodic television directing.DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter acknowledged the progress made, stating, "The good news is that the industry has made measurable gains in the employment of women directors and directors of color in episodic television over the past ten seasons." However, she cautioned against complacency, urging the industry to remain vigilant and continue to advocate for an equal playing field for all.

Expanding Representation: LGBTQ+ and Disabled Communities

The DGA's data collection efforts have expanded to include trends for the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities. The data for the 2023 television episodes indicates that 8.6% of content was directed by members of the LGBTQ+ community, and 0.6% by members of the disabled community.This expansion of data collection reflects the DGA's commitment to advocating for the inclusion of historically marginalized communities in the industry. By shining a light on these underrepresented groups, the Guild aims to drive further progress and create more opportunities for diverse voices in the world of episodic television directing.

Charting a Path Forward

As the industry navigates the aftermath of various disruptions, the DGA's data serves as a critical tool for holding the industry accountable and driving continued progress. The Guild's unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, as evidenced by its expanded data collection and advocacy efforts, underscores the importance of maintaining momentum and building upon the gains made over the past decade.By remaining vigilant and continuing to push for meaningful change, the industry can ensure that the directorial ranks in episodic television truly reflect the diverse perspectives and experiences of the audiences they serve. The path forward may not be without challenges, but the DGA's data-driven approach and the industry's collective resolve to foster a more inclusive landscape offer hope for a future where representation and equity are the norm, not the exception.