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Demi, Jodie and Nicole: is Hollywood finally ready to recognise complex female characters over 40? | Natasha Ginnivan

At the Golden Globes, the spotlight was on women playing multilayered, courageous and middle-aged lead roles

Take 50-year-old Hannah Waddingham of Ted Lasso fame who plays Rebecca Welton, an embittered divorcee who manages to transform her disappointment and shame into becoming an amazingly strong support to the coach she has hired. Must-see moments from the 2025 Golden Globe awards – videoFor a long time the things that we feel are important to see in older female characters – their depth and intuition, their strength and courage and more often than not an ordinary and ageing appearance – were not being reflected back to us in most of the shows or films we watched. Michelle Yeoh, 62, who won 2023’s best actress Oscar for Everything, Everywhere all at Once said in her acceptance speech: “Ladies, don’t let anyone ever tell you that you are past your prime.” It might just be that entertainment executives, producers, writers and directors are beginning to take note.

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