The impact of this shift is being felt across the industry, with more women over 40 taking on leading roles in film and television. The success of shows like "The Crown," "Big Little Lies," and "Shrill" has demonstrated that mature women can be compelling and complex characters, rather than simply background figures.
Historically, women over 40 have been largely absent from leading roles in film and television. According to a 2020 report by the Sundance Institute, women over 40 made up only 2% of leading roles in the top 100 films of 2019. When they did appear, they were often relegated to stereotypical roles such as the "doting mother," "caring wife," or "wise old crone." These roles reinforced the notion that women over 40 were no longer relevant, attractive, or desirable. missaxmilfnut
The 1960s and 1970s saw a brief emergence of more complex female characters, thanks in part to the feminist movement and the rise of women like Katharine Hepburn, who defied convention with her strong, intelligent, and independent on-screen presence. However, as the decades passed, the opportunities for mature women in leading roles began to dwindle once again. The impact of this shift is being felt