In 2025, not a single top-100 grossing film featured a woman of color aged 45 or older in a leading or co-leading role. 2. The Television "Sanctuary"
(62): Experienced a major career comeback and a 2025 Golden Globe win for her role in The Substance , a film that explores the industry's obsession with youth. Meryl Streep
— Encouraging, but not yet equal.
However, as Hollywood entered its Golden Age, the roles for women—especially those over 40—narrowed. Actresses were frequently relegated to supporting archetypes such as: