Women and Sport in Television Fiction Series: The Case of Home Ground

Abstract

This article analyses the representation of women in sport in contemporary international TV fiction, based on a case study of the Norwegian series Home Ground (Heimebane, Johan Fasting, NRK: 2018-), about a woman working as a coach at the top level of men’s professional football. The study also aims to examine the specific contributions the series makes to sports-related fiction, to identify the gender issues explored in it, and to consider the gender stereotypes evident in the depiction of the protagonist. The methodology used combines a case study with critical discourse analysis, taking the first season of the series as the study sample. The findings reflect the unexpected changes to the traditional structures of men’s professional football resulting from the entry of a woman into this male-dominated world. The gender inequality faced by the protagonist, in a context of limited opportunities for her professional development, is also an important issue in the series. Another notable element identified is the defiance of traditional gender stereotypes, as the coach depicted in the series challenges traditional norms for women. Finally, female empowerment is reflected in the visibility given to a woman in a leadership position in a context characterised by male dominance.