Women creators in fiction series: The case of Netflix Spain

This paper explores the difficulties women face in reaching leadership positions in the audiovisual sector. We focus on Spanish fiction series produced for Netflix between 2017 and 2023, obtaining a sample of only eight productions created exclusively by women and with a female presence in directing, screenwriting and executive production. We observed a diversity of genres and plots, most of them for people over the age of sixteen, and a predominance of miniseries. The research is complemented by interviews with professionals who lead these creations. The results show that the industry is improving, but that significant changes are still needed. Progress has been made in terms of gender and quota policies, the arrival of international platforms with more sensitive mentalities, and the increase in productions. Rising to leadership positions is complicated by issues of work-life balance and educational values: too much modesty, a sense of imposture or guilt.