: At the 2025 and 2026 ceremonies, veterans like Jean Smart (74) for Hacks , Demi Moore (62) for The Substance , and Jodie Foster (63) swept major categories.
: New projects are moving away from domestic stereotypes, featuring women over 40 in raw, multi-dimensional roles—such as Rose Byrne (46) in If I Had Legs I Would Kick You and Kate Hudson (46) in Song Sung Blue . milf daughter action
: In 2024 and 2025, eight of the top-grossing films were led or co-led by women 45+, including Nicole Kidman ( Babygirl ), Winona Ryder ( Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ), and June Squibb ( Thelma ). The Power Shift on Television : At the 2025 and 2026 ceremonies, veterans
The landscape of 2024–2026 has seen a record-breaking surge in leading roles for women over 45. The Power Shift on Television The landscape of
Television continues to be a fertile ground for mature talent, often offering more consistent leading opportunities than traditional film.
In 2026, the narrative surrounding mature women in entertainment is shifting from a "story of decline" to one of complex, nuanced agency. While significant gaps in representation still exist, veteran actresses are increasingly taking center stage in high-profile projects that redefine midlife on screen.