: Women aged 60 and older represent only 2% of all major female characters , compared to 8% for men in the same age bracket.
The landscape for mature women in entertainment as of April 2026 is characterized by a "reversal of progress". Despite high-profile awards for veteran actresses, recent data shows a significant drop in both on-screen visibility and behind-the-scenes leadership for women over 40.
In 2025, the percentage of female protagonists in top-grossing films plummeted from 42% in 2024 to just . For mature women specifically:
: While 41% of female characters on television are in their 30s, that figure drops to 16% for women in their 40s .
Geena Davis Institute New Study Shows How Film ... - Variety
: Women aged 60 and older represent only 2% of all major female characters , compared to 8% for men in the same age bracket.
The landscape for mature women in entertainment as of April 2026 is characterized by a "reversal of progress". Despite high-profile awards for veteran actresses, recent data shows a significant drop in both on-screen visibility and behind-the-scenes leadership for women over 40.
In 2025, the percentage of female protagonists in top-grossing films plummeted from 42% in 2024 to just . For mature women specifically:
: While 41% of female characters on television are in their 30s, that figure drops to 16% for women in their 40s .
Geena Davis Institute New Study Shows How Film ... - Variety
