
: They are frequently relegated to supporting roles like "mothers," "grandmothers," or "bitchy businesswomen" rather than leads with complex humanity. π Signs of Progress
: Major female characters plummet from 42% in their 30s to just 15% in their 40s on broadcast TV.
: In 2019, none of the top-grossing films in the US, UK, France, or Germany featured a female lead over age 50. π Common Stereotypes & Archetypes
: Meryl Streep noted she was offered three witch roles the year after she turned 40.
: Older female characters are 4x more likely to be shown as "senile" or "frumpy" and 2x more likely to be portrayed as unattractive compared to men.