4 female-centric series awarded the ReFrame Stamp for TV

From Insecure to The Bold Type, there are a number of shows on streaming services that were made by and for women. To recognise these and other series,  a coalition of industry professionals founded by Women in Film and the Sundance Institute, known as ReFrame, created the ReFrame Stamp, and, together with IMDbPro, awarded the stamp to 62 shows that reflect gender diversity in television.

Variety says that the goal of the ReFrame Stamp is to “recognise projects that have demonstrated success in gender-balanced hiring”.

In four out of eight critical areas of production, women or female-identifying people would have to have been hired for the show to be given the stamp. These areas include writing, directing, showrunning, producing, lead acting, season regular acting, department heads and crew members. And the series had to reflect this gender diversity across all seasons, not only in specific episodes.

Here are four of the shows that were awarded the stamp, all available to stream on Showmax.

1. The Girlfriend Experience, S1-2 | First on Showmax

https://youtu.be/i31ltr_vWH0

Called “utterly bingeworthy” by critics, this captivating drama follows several women who lead double lives as professional escorts. But it’s not just about the sex – they provide much more. Season 1 follows law intern turned high-end escort Christine aka Chelsea, played by Riley Keough, and Season 2 introduces us to two other women in a similar position. Half of Season 2 is all about Bria, a former escort who goes into witness protection after exposing her arms-dealer husband. The Bria episodes are the ones that were awarded with the ReFrame Stamp. Strictly no under-18s. Watch now »

2. HBO’s Insecure

Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of this brilliantly real series, created, written by and starring the inimitable Issa Rae, are on Showmax. Season 1 follows Issa, who is trying to figure out her life. Should she stay with her boring boyfriend Lawrence or throw herself into the frightening world of dating in her late 20s? In Season 2, she tries on the single life for size,  yet longs for Lawrence, who is keeping things relaxed with a new fling. Watch now »

3. The Handmaid’s Tale

Based on the dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood, starring Elisabeth Moss, and produced by both women, The Handmaid’s Tale is about June, a woman who had an ordinary life in modern-day Boston until a coup turned part of the United States into the Republic of Gilead. Once women have been subjugated by the state, they are forced into roles depending on their reproductive value. June becomes Offred, the property of Colonel Fred Waterford and his wife Selina. Offred’s sole purpose is to fall pregnant with their child. But she’s not taking any of it lying down. Watch now »

4. The Bold Type

Created by Sarah Watson, inspired by the life of real-life women’s magazine editor Joanna Coles, and starring Aisha Dee, Katie Stevens and Meghann Fahy, this series is full of female powerhouses. Three friends fought their way up through the magazine world and are now finally making their mark. But that is just the start of a lot of drama, excitement and romance in this edgy, funny, intense and heartwarming comedy drama series. Watch now »