The public wants more movies with older female leads. Will the film industry take note?
From the conversations we hear, to the headlines we see in the media, to our experiences at work, ageism is widespread and affects many areas of life. But when the film industry is one of the drivers of culture, isn’t it time it stepped up to the mark in challenging ageism?
Our latest research has uncovered an absurd but eye-catching detail about the lack of representation of older women on the big screen: more films have been released in the past three years featuring a lead actor called Chris, than films with a female lead actor over the age of 60.
It sounds ridiculous, but it is no laughing matter. To me, the disparity speaks volumes about the value that older people, and older women in particular, are given in society.
The film industry, along with the media, advertising and TV, has enormous influence over how we perceive certain groups of people and often perpetuate stereotypes that fuel our prejudices. When the language and imagery used about ageing and older people across society is overwhelmingly negative, then how we show up in film absolutely matters.
Of course, for many of us, these findings may come as no surprise. We know that older women experience a ‘double whammy’ of negative treatment because of a combination of both age and gender, with women’s ageing often seen more negatively than men’s ageing.
The fact many women say they increasingly feel ‘invisible’ as they age* is perhaps not surprising given the lack of representation of older women in popular culture.
That’s why we’re calling on the film industry to have better representation of older women in film. Here’s five fantastic reasons for the industry to sit up and take note:
1. Representation reflects and shapes how society values older people
When older people are invisible on screen or in the media it reinforces the idea that our lives and experiences matter less. Meanwhile repeated negative stereotypes about older people help to feed and perpetuate ageism.
You only need to look at the Oscars this March for further evidence of this lack of balanced representation in the world of film.
Reflecting on the ten Best Actor/Best Actress nominations combined, only two were over 50 (both men). Interestingly, for the ten Best Supporting Actor/Actress nominations, the ratio was better, with half over 50 (but just one of those five was a woman). So older people were better represented in non-lead film roles rather than leading roles this year. But older women? Still not so much, across the board.
Wouldn’t it be great to see more equitable representation of older actors, especially women, in leading roles – on screen and on tv?
Crucially, this means portraying people over 50 as well-rounded individuals with varied interests and lives rather than relying on clichés or reinforcing negative stereotypes. Too often, as our previous Cast Aside research found, older characters are reduced to extremes or even ‘grotesque’ portrayals, such as Amy Madigan’s award-winning role at 75 - for playing a ‘parasitic witch’!
If older people’s experiences are not valued enough to reflect on screen, then their real stories are left untold, and that says that we’re okay with pushing a huge part of the population into the margins.
2. How we see ourselves reflected affects our personal confidence and wellbeing
We know that repeated negative portrayals of older people in the media, advertising and popular culture, or in this case the absence of positive portrayals, can lead to poor body image or increased pessimism and anxiety about getting older.
When we internalise repeated negative messaging about older age, we can start to limit ourselves and our behaviour. We might tell ourselves we’re too old to carry on with or try a hobby, or too old to socialise or exercise, when we know that these things are vital to our good health and wellbeing.
Ageism shows up all around us but shouldn't be dismissed as harmless. It can chip away at our confidence, influence decisions, and limit opportunities in work, health, relationships and community life.
Meanwhile, more balanced and realistic portrayals of older age in popular culture can help support self‑esteem and belonging, for all our futures as we age.
3. Older audiences are a significant part of cinema culture
People over 55 account for around one in five of all cinema admissions, according to the British Film Institute, contributing hundreds of millions of pounds to the UK economy.**
So why don’t we see ourselves reflected in the films that we go to see? Does the industry think we don’t want to look at older faces or hear what someone aged over 50 has to say?
Our research suggests they are wrong to think so if they do. One in three people (33%) told us that there are not enough films featuring female actors over 60 as a lead character being made – this compares to around one in 30 people (3%) who say there are too many films featuring female actors over 60 as a lead character being made.
The proportion of people who think there are not enough films featuring female actors over 60 as a lead character being made rises to almost two in five (39%) when surveying just women.
So the appetite for older leading stars is there, if only big film studios had the vision to tap into it.
4. Representation matters for a good story – show us the rich tapestry of life
Women aged 60 and over comprise 13.4% of the UK population; that’s right, more than one in ten! So, let’s see them!
Richer stories come from fuller, more realistic characters. And older people are as quirky, angry, in love, ambitious, relevant, funny and diverse as anyone of any other age. Portraying older people as complex, interesting individuals rather than as background characters or the feeble punchline to a joke means better storytelling and helps to challenge outdated stereotypes.
Think of Evelyn Wang’s complex character played by Michelle Yeoh in the genre-defying film Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022). Or Annette Bening’s fabulous portrayal of a long-distance swimmer in Nyad (2023). Or Meryl Streep who is likely to help smash box office records with her appearance as Miranda Priestly in the highly anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026).
Not to mention numerous roles played by esteemed actors like Dame Helen Mirren, Lesley Manville or Viola Davies.
These commercially successful actors and their films are beloved by filmgoers and critics. So, it’s not that the talent is absent, just the opportunity for fantastic leading roles that reflect the diversity and complexity of real life.
5. And the last word goes to…Dame Emma Thompson
Finally, the last word in this debate must go to Oscar-winning British actor Dame Emma Thompson. When we contacted Dame Emma, who has played more than 100 roles in a stellar 40-year career, about our research, she was quick to offer her support, saying:
Women are half the population and we get older. So where are the stories about us? The older we get, the more interesting we are.
“I want to see more films centre ageing women, we are compelling, relatable, and overdue for centre stage. Older women don’t need permission to exist on screen. They already exist in the world, cinema just needs to catch up.
Well said, Emma!
Repeated clichés or the absence of realistic and well-rounded older characters don’t stay in films, they spill into real life and influence attitudes. It’s time to change.
Older women deserve to be seen in leading roles on screen, and in greater numbers, reflecting how present we are in society. And more than people called Chris (no offence).
When we question ageism, we challenge it. And the more we challenge it, the more we start to change it.
Facts
*From our Effects of Ageism research November 2024. Females are more likely to report feeling not valued (57% vs 49% males), patronised (55% vs 39% males), unimportant (52% vs 38% males), low self-confidence (52% vs 30%), sad 43% vs 30%) and invisible (44% vs 21%). Find out more.
**55+ share of UK cinema attendance typically sits around 15–20% of all admissions (British Film Institute). A conservative GDP contribution from over‑60 cinema activity is £250m–£340m per year (direct + indirect) (IBISWorld)
