A viewer sits in a darkened theater in Vancouver, watching the opening credits roll across a massive screen. They look closely at the background crowds, the heroic leads, and the supporting cast, searching for someone who reflects their lived experience. For millions of viewers, screen stories shape how we understand our neighbors, our communities, and ourselves. However, on-screen worlds often lag behind real-world demographics. Produced in partnership with UBCP/ACTRA, this Geena Davis Institute landmark study, From Real to Reel: Representation and Inclusion in Film and Television Produced in British Columbia, examines equity and diversity across feature films, TV series, and TV movies shot in the northwestern Canadian province.
Entertainment media possesses an extraordinary capacity to shape public attitudes. Consequently, when regional production centers broaden who gets seen, the ripple effects touch audiences worldwide. By tracking character prominence, billing, and narrative traits, our research provides entertainment professionals with clear benchmarks to foster genuine inclusion on screen.
Key Findings: Demographics and Prominence Across B.C. Productions
Our analysis of productions shot in 2018, 2019, and 2021 highlights clear areas of progress alongside persistent industry gaps:
- Gender Representation Shifts Toward Parity: Male characters outnumbered female characters overall (55.0% vs. 44.9%). However, the gender gap narrowed over time across all production types, moving from 58.3% male in 2018 to 49.9% male in 2021.
- Racial Inclusion Increases Over Time: White characters comprised over two-thirds of all roles across the studied years, peaking in TV movies at 74.2%. Meanwhile, overall white character representation dropped from 69.5% in 2018 to 58.6% in 2021.
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Visibility Skews Young and Female: Less than 5% of all characters were identified as 2SLGBTQIA+. Representation rose from 2.8% in 2018 to 6.2% in 2021, driven primarily by TV shows (7.9% in 2021). These characters were predominantly female (66.3%) rather than male (30.3%) or gender-diverse (3.4%).
- Disability Representation Declines: Characters with physical, cognitive, communication, or mental health disabilities made up just 3.3% of total roles, decreasing from 4.0% in 2018 to 2.1% in 2021. Furthermore, characters with disabilities were twice as likely to receive put-downs (12.2% vs. 5.9%) and far more likely to face story framing as unattractive or unintelligent.
- Fat Characters Face Narrative Marginalization: Fat characters accounted for slightly over 5% of all roles. However, they were rarely cast as protagonists (2.6% vs. 8.2% for nonfat characters) or fellowship members (15.7% vs. 23.3%), limiting their narrative importance.
- Older Characters Suffer Anti-Aging Tropes: Characters aged 50 and older represented under one-fifth of all roles (19.8%). Additionally, older characters faced higher rates of villainy (4.5% vs. 3.0%) and lower placement as protagonists (2.0% vs. 9.3%).
Examining Stereotypes in Character Tropes and Narrative Roles
The data reveals that presence alone does not guarantee fair portrayal. For instance, when stories relegate fat characters or people with disabilities to minor roles, audiences absorb subtle messages about who deserves agency. Similarly, depicting older adults primarily as antagonistic tropes robs screen narratives of rich elder perspectives.
Furthermore, storytellers often struggle with female character complexity. While female roles approached numerical parity in recent years, writers frequently overcompensated by presenting women as unrealistically flawless. True equity requires giving characters of all genders equal permission to be flawed, funny, heroic, or human.
Actionable Practices for Studios, Directors, and Writers
Content creators can implement several concrete steps to build nuanced, reflective screen stories:
- Avoid the “Flawless Female” Trap: Write dynamic female characters with realistic vulnerabilities, avoiding tropes that demand perfection.
- Expand Racial Diversity in TV Movies: Increase casting of actors of color across all genres, particularly within TV movies where white characters remain disproportionately represented.
- Depict 2SLGBTQIA+ Elders: Include older queer characters to dismantle the misconception that 2SLGBTQIA+ identity belongs solely to younger generations.
- Normalize Size Diversity: Feature unapologetically fat characters across all genders in heroic, romantic, and dynamic roles without making size a plot device.
- Integrate Disabled Characters at Every Role Level: Increase the visibility of disabled actors in background, supporting, and lead roles alike.
- Subvert Antagonistic Aging Tropes: Craft progressive, complex roles for characters aged 50 and older rather than default villainy.
Advancing Equity and Diversity in the Film Industry
Empirical data equips storytellers with the insight needed to move beyond outdated industry formulas. At the Geena Davis Institute, we collaborate directly with production companies, unions, and creative leaders to turn research into meaningful representation.
Support evidence-based media research to ensure every viewer sees themselves reflected authentically on screen. Donate to the Geena Davis Institute today to drive systemic change across film and television.