Narrating Single Lives: The Representation of Single Female Characters in Dutch Fiction Films and TV Series (2019-2023)

Abstract

Singledom is on the rise in Western countries, including the Netherlands. As representation in popular media is paramount for the way audiences imagine the world and people around them, this article addresses the question: how are single women represented in recent Dutch fiction films and TV series? Existing studies on English-language popular culture from the US and the UK indicate that representation of singledom, and particularly single women in popular media often revolves around a small set of persisting patterns. Singledom usually remains an obstacle to be overcome, following the neoliberal, postfeminist ideals of self-improvement and choice (Taylor, 2012). This article gives an insight into the representation of 36 women, all introduced as singles and aged 16 to 60+, in Dutch fiction films and TV series from 2019-2023. Using an intersectional approach, we analysed the representation of these 36 female characters, regarding their relationship status, age, social class, colour and roots, profession, sexual orientation, and parental status. The results show that there is a lack in diversity, complexity, and potential of these single female characters, who are mainly young, middle class, white, and heterosexual and work in traditional female sectors like Arts and Culture and Health Care. While overall in line with findings in previous research, the results suggest that motherhood is a less prevalent theme than in these previous studies.