Women still lag behind men in behind-the-scenes categories for the 2017 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, according to a new analysis by the Women’s Media Center.
There was no change in the percentage of women nominated in all 89 non-acting categories for the 69th Emmys. In the combined categories of writing, directing, editing and producing, women gained only one percentage point — from 25 percent last year to 26 percent this year. In all non-acting categories, women represented only 28 percent of nominees.
The research also found that women lost ground in writing and editing but improved in directing and producing. Female writers dropped from 23 percent to 21 percent, while editors dropped from 21 percent to 20 percent, female producers rose from 29 percent to 31 percent. The reason for this remains unclear, but the study mentions that the increase could be due to actresses producing their own material.
For example, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are nominated for “Big Little Lies,” which they produced and starred in. Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon are nominated for “Feud: Bette and Joan.”
“Women still lag behind their male counterparts in these influential behind-the-scenes roles,” said Julie Burton, WMC president. “Women represent only 28 percent of all non-acting nominations, and there are no women nominees in 18 of the non-acting categories. This is unacceptable. These numbers do not reflect the tremendous talent, experience, and impact of female writers, producers, editors and directors. While the slight uptick in some categories is encouraging, women still are nowhere near parity and men continue their dominance. Executives must do better in addressing the disparity of women behind the camera.”
Ava DuVernay was nominated in the Outstanding Directing for a Nonfiction Program category for “13th,” which earned eight nominations overall. “13th” was also nominated for an Oscar. Samantha Bee received seven nominations for “Full Frontal with Samanta Bee.” “The Crown,” “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” also received several nominations.
The Emmys do not have a producer category. The Report includes 21 categories in which producers are nominated.
The 69th Emmys hosted by Stephen Colbert will broadcast live from Los Angeles on CBS on Sept. 17.