Research shows that older viewers stop watching content that portrays midlife characters as "frail or frumpy," leading studios to embrace "richer, more realistic portrayals" of women with agency and financial power.

Women over 60 remain the most underrepresented, comprising only about 3% of major female characters across both broadcast and streaming platforms. Leading Figures and Major 2025-2026 Projects

The entertainment landscape in 2026 presents a paradoxical reality for mature women: while icons like Nicole Kidman and Viola Davis are leading historic projects, broader industry data reveals a "period of stagnation" and a sharp decline in overall leading roles for women after a 2024 peak. The Current State of Representation

Mature women are increasingly "taking matters into their own hands" by producing their own art and shaping the conversation around aging.

Despite 2024 reaching a historic high for women in film, 2025 and early 2026 have seen leading roles for women drop to approximately 39%, levels not seen since 2018.