Fleabag's Decade: How TV Went From Feminist Drought to Abundance

Ten years ago, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's "Fleabag" debuted, breaking the fourth wall and announcing a new voice in British television. Its success, particularly the second season, spurred discussions about female showrunners and feminist narratives. This wave of groundbreaking content challenged the status quo, where a report from 2016 indicated only 14% of primetime TV was written by women.

The series became part of a broader movement of female-authored comedies, including Lena Dunham's "Girls," that explored vulnerability and awkwardness. "Fleabag" cut through this wave, influencing commissioners and boosting confidence among female comedy writers to own their shows.

Further innovation arrived with Michaela Coel's "I May Destroy You" in 2020, a co-production with HBO. This series visually ambitious, tackled complex themes of sex, gender, and power with formal innovation. The rise of streamers like Netflix and HBO, providing crucial co-production funding, has become the norm as in-house budgets stagnate.

Shows like "We Are Lady Parts" and "Such Brave Girls" now benefit from this international investment. While "Fleabag" set a high bar, leading to comparisons with newer shows, the depiction of female characters has evolved beyond the "messy millennial" trope.

Shows now explore diverse experiences, from menopause to mental health, with nuance. The success of "Fleabag," which began as a low-budget fringe play, highlights how experimental beginnings can lead to massive impact, though current industry pressures on original ideas are a concern.