In 2024, the entertainment industry finally reached gender equality in leading roles, though this was largely driven by younger women. However, for women 45 or older, leading roles remain limited—only 8 of the top films in 2024 featured a woman in this age bracket as a lead.

A "steep drop-off" persists for women after age 40. While 41% of major female characters are in their 30s, that number plummets to just 16% for women in their 40s. In contrast, more than half of major male characters on TV are older than 40. Economic Power vs. Industry Investment

There is a massive disconnect between the economic influence of mature women and how the industry treats them. Older Adults Want Real Representation from Hollywood - AARP

Mature women (ages 40+) are increasingly taking center stage, though their stories are often still constrained by their age.