Where are the Black women in Gen Z’s favorite YA TV shows? Gen Z is in the middle of a major coming-of-age TV boom as Heated Rivalry, Off Campus, Adults, and most recently Sterling Point have become streaming hits. But while this new wave of YA shows is bringing more diverse storylines to TV—like queer romances and Adults’ multicultural cast—viewers have noticed one group still missing: Black women. UCLA’s 2026 Hollywood Diversity report found Black women held just 3.7% of lead roles in 2025’s top theatrical films. The conversation around the lack of Black actresses in film and TV is hardly new. It’s been a topic of discussion on socials for years, which is why YPulse knows this is a huge miss on the film industry’s part. Plus, our data shows 74% of 13-39-year-olds want the entertainment they watch to feature diverse casts and individuals—and that includes Black women! (Dazed)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Why Gen Z and Millennials Say Representation in Entertainment is Still Lacking
