: Actresses like Jean Smart (73) have become the "queens of television," reaching new heights of fame and critical acclaim later in their careers. Statistics and the "Invisible" Gap
Despite the progress, we must not throw a parade quite yet.
For decades, mature women in entertainment and cinema were relegated to playing stereotypical roles such as the "older woman" or the "doting mother." These roles often portrayed women as being dependent on men, subservient, and lacking in agency. The limited opportunities available to mature women led to many talented actresses being forced into early retirement or relegated to secondary roles.
The renaissance is predominantly benefiting white, cisgender, straight actresses. Viola Davis (59) and Angela Bassett (66) are titans, but they are often the only titans of color in their age bracket. Native, Latina, and Asian mature actresses still face a desert of representation.
While television has led the charge, cinema is catching up with a vengeance. The last five years have produced a canon of films starring mature women that refuse to be categorized as "feel-good retirement stories."
To ensure that mature women continue to thrive in entertainment and cinema, we recommend the following: