Female Representation in the Contemporary Television Western. The Examples of Godless (Netflix, 2017) and The English (BBC, 2022)

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of two significant television fictions on female representation in the contemporary television western: Godless (Netflix, 2017) and The English (BBC, 2022), broadcast on streaming platforms. For this research, a qualitative methodology is employed that applies an analysis of gender studies in order to analyze the narrative, characters and verbal stereotypes, and identify the processes of signification associated with the female model. The findings reflect the rise and modernization of the television western. These current works share languages, plots and iconographies with the classic genre, but, at the same time, they propose variations that reach their protagonists and themes. Women increase their presence and importance in these stories and this causes new topics to filter through, such as motherhood, sisterhood or non-normative relationship models. The new female protagonists balance the patriarchal structure and establish more modern, diverse and inclusive narratives.