The Where We Are on TV report analyzes the overall diversity of primetime scripted series regulars on broadcast networks and looks at the number of LGBTQ characters on cable networks and streaming services for the 2020-2021 TV season.
Below are some of the most remarkable points GLAAD found in its research this year, download the full report now to read more.
- Of the 773 series regular characters scheduled to appear on broadcast scripted primetime television this season, 70 (9.1 percent) are LGBTQ. This is a decrease from the previous year’s record high percentage of 10.2 percent, and the first season to see a decrease since the 2013-14 report. This number was expected to drop due to the COVID-19 pandemic halting production on several shows and impacting the green-lighting of new series. There are an additional 31 LGBTQ recurring characters on broadcast, for a total of 101 LGBTQ characters.
- On scripted primetime cable series, the number of series regulars has decreased to 81 characters, with 37 recurring characters, bringing the total number of LGBTQ characters to 118.
- On the streaming services Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, there are 95 regular LGBTQ characters on original scripted series, a decrease from last year, as well as 46 LGBTQ recurring characters. This brings the total to 141 LGBTQ characters.
- In the 2020-21 season, bisexual+ characters make up 28 percent of all LGBTQ characters on all three platforms, a two-percentage increase from last year. These numbers still lean toward women, with 65 women and 33 men, and one character who is non-binary.
- Across all three platforms, there are 29 regular and recurring transgender characters. These characters include 15 trans women, 12 trans men, and two trans characters who are non-binary. Twenty-six of the 29 characters are played or voiced by transgender actors.
- This is the fourth year where GLAAD has counted asexual characters in our report. Last year there was a single asexual character on Netflix’s BoJack Horseman. That show has since been cancelled. There will be one asexual character on a cable series airing in spring of 2021, but the character’s identity is under embargo at time of printing.
- On all primetime broadcast scripted series, 46 percent of series regulars are women, consistent with last year’s record high.
- Of the 773 series regulars counted on broadcast television, 46 percent (354) of characters are people of color, a one percentage-point decrease from the previous year’s record high of 47 percent. The racial diversity of LGBTQ characters on all platforms increased.
- The number of series regular characters with a disability has once again had a slight increase, slightly up to 3.5 percent from last year’s 3.1 percent. This number continues to severely underrepresent the actual U.S. population living with disabilities. The number of characters with HIV and AIDS has significantly decreased from nine to three, all characters counted appear on FX’s Pose.
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About the Where We Are On TV Report
GLAAD’s annual Where We Are On TV report not only propels national conversations about LGBTQ representation, but informs GLAAD’s own advocacy within the television industry. GLAAD uses this yearly data to create a clearer picture of the stories and images being presented by television networks, and to work alongside the networks and content creators to tell fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBTQ stories on screen.
Read about GLAAD’s annual film report, the Studio Responsibility Index, at glaad.org/sri.
Where We Are on TV Archive:
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2022 – 2023 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2021 – 2022 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2020 – 2021 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2019 – 2020 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2018 – 2019 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2017 – 2018 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2016 – 2017 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2015 – 2016 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2014 – 2015 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2013 – 2014 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2012 – 2013 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2011 – 2012 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2010 – 2011 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2009 – 2010 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2008 – 2009 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2007 – 2008 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2006 – 2007 Season