Book review

... Violaine Roussel; Princeton University Press; 320pp; June 2026; ISBN: 9780691251424 Violaine Roussel brings a sociologist's mind to the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood and streaming, and particularly the data scientist's evolving role in the field. Data-Driven Hollywood is divided into five sections, examining the background of entertainment practices, the transformation of Hollywood and streaming over time, data specialists’ niche role in this industry, how data science is used from day to day in the field, and how data shapes and predicts the future of film and content. You feel you are getting a forbidden look into the workings behind studio decisions Roussel intersperses this narrative with quotes and takeaways from 75 in.depth interviews with professionals in the industry that she conducted, in a way that resonates, as you feel you are getting a forbidden look into the workings behind studio decisions. You might, for instance, still be salty about one or two of your favourite “Netflix Originals” being cancelled after one season, but it is still fascinating to hear from interviewees who worked at Netflix around that time discussing what was considered a success and how those decisions were made.