Emma Thompson calls out ageism and sexism in film industry

Emma Thompson, 67, has joined a campaign demanding better representation of older women in cinema after a new study found only five of the 100 highest‑grossing films in the past three years featured a woman over 60, compared with multiple male leads named Chris and even talking animals [1]. She described the disparity as “absolutely ludicrous” and urged filmmakers to create more stories about ageing women [3].

Key takeaways

• Only five of the top‑grossing 100 films from 2023‑2025 starred a woman over 60, versus six films led by actors named Chris [1].
• Films with older women were four times less likely to be the lead than movies featuring talking animal protagonists [3].
• The Age Without Limits campaign, backed by the Centre for Ageing Better, found that one in three speaking characters in films are aged 50+ despite older adults making up nearly half of the UK adult population [1].
• Thompson and campaign leaders argue the lack of representation is both insulting and a symptom of broader age‑and‑sex discrimination in media [1][3].
• Public polling shows one in six respondents would be more likely to see a film with an older female lead, yet only 33% feel enough such films are made [3].

Study reveals stark gender and age gap in blockbuster leads

The Age Without Limits campaign, run by the charity Centre for Ageing Better, analysed the 100 highest‑grossing UK releases from 2023, 2024 and 2025. Their findings showed five films with older women leads—Allelujah, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Book Club: The Next Chapter, The Substance and Freakier Friday—while six films featured a male actor named Chris, including blockbusters starring Chris Pratt and Chris Pine [1][3]. Additionally, the study noted that talking animal protagonists appeared in roughly 20 of the top‑grossing titles, making them four times more likely to lead than an older woman [3].

Academics from the University of West London who conducted the research observed that when older women do appear on screen they are often portrayed as passive, pitiable, or irrelevant to the plot [1]. The campaign’s chief executive, Dr Carole Easton, emphasized that older women constitute a significant portion of cinema audiences—up to one in five UK attendees are aged 55 and above—and that their under‑representation is “insulting” [1][3].

Thompson’s response and industry reaction

Thompson’s remarks, echoed in both The Independent and The Guardian, called for more films that centre ageing women, arguing that “the older we get, the more interesting we are” [1][3]. She highlighted the broader cultural issue, noting that ageism intersects with sexism across media and other sectors, and urged cultural gatekeepers to broaden storytelling [1]. In an interview with the Radio Times, she described the current climate as “completely s***” and said opportunities for women have not improved, if anything have worsened, since she began her career [2].

The campaign also surveyed 4,000 members of the public, finding that a notable portion would be more inclined to watch a film featuring an older female lead, though many still feel the market is saturated with younger male protagonists [3]. The data suggests a gap between audience appetite and industry supply, reinforcing the call for change.

Why it matters

The study underscores a systemic bias that limits the visibility of older women on screen, despite their significant presence in the movie‑going public. Thompson’s high‑profile advocacy brings attention to the issue, potentially influencing producers and studios to reconsider casting decisions and story development. As the campaign continues to gather public support, future research and industry monitoring will be key to measuring progress toward more inclusive representation.