"Let me know when we're done dick measuring" An analysis of the entanglement of gender, race, and class in the representation of power in Lioness

This paper explores the entanglement of gender, race, and class in the representation of power in Lioness, a contemporary military fiction television series centred on three female protagonists. Unlike shows set in the military fiction genre, Lioness foregrounds women in leading operational and decision-making roles, offering a compelling case for analysing intersectional power dynamics in media. Despite its apparent progressive premise, the series often reinforces traditional hierarchies and stereotypes. Through a qualitative thematic content analysis of all episodes from both seasons, this study examines how power is depicted and negotiated by four central female characters: Joe, Kaitlyn, Cruz, and Aaliyah. Each is situated differently across axes of gender, race, and class. The findings identify three overarching themes: gendered power, strategic whiteness, and social hierarchy. While the show offers portrayals of physically capable, professionally competent, and politically and economically influential women, their power is frequently undermined by male-dominated institutional structures, cultural expectations, and narrative mechanisms requiring them to justify their authority through personal sacrifice or trauma. Race is largely rendered invisible or stereotyped, despite the presence of three women of colour in lead roles. Meanwhile, class dynamics reinforce elitist ideals, with affluence portrayed as a prerequisite for influence, and working-class characters positioned within narratives of suffering or victimhood. By applying an intersectional lens to the analysis, this research reveals how Lioness both challenges and perpetuates dominant power structures in subtle but significant ways. The series illustrates the limitations of representational progress when systemic hierarchies remain unexamined. This study contributes to broader discussions in media and gender studies by demonstrating how intersectional power dynamics are encoded in contemporary television, shaping both narrative meaning and audience perception.