: Remaining a box office and critical force with leading roles in 1923 and returns to cinema through National Theatre Live productions. Cinema and the "Complexity" Movement

: As of 2025, only 12% of US feature films were written by women over 40, which limits the volume of complex roles available for mature actresses.

: A marked increase in nominations for actresses over 40, such as Rose Byrne (46) in If I Had Legs I Would Kick You and Kate Hudson (46) in Song Sung Blue , who portray nuanced stories of addiction, recovery, and professional struggle.

: Mature women of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in leading roles.

The landscape for mature women in entertainment has shifted dramatically as of 2026, moving away from traditional "grandma" tropes toward complex, leading roles that embrace the reality of midlife. While the industry still faces structural ageism, a "second act" revolution is currently visible across major film and television projects.

Despite the visibility of A-list icons, structural barriers remain for the broader demographic:

: Starring in and producing the crime-thriller Scarpetta alongside Jamie Lee Curtis (67) , while also preparing for the return of Big Little Lies .