Data from the and USC Annenberg highlight sharp disparities in how aging is treated on screen. Metric (2025-2026) Mature Women (40+) Mature Men (40+) Share of Major TV Roles 16% (for those in 40s) Majority in 30s/40s Aging as a Plot Point 15% of storylines 7% of storylines Over 60 in Major Roles 4% of characters 9% of characters Diversity Lead Deficit 0 films featured a woman of color 45+ as a lead 6 films featured an underrepresented male 45+ 3. Key Trends and "Comeback" Narratives

: Despite these wins, the percentage of top-grossing films featuring female protagonists plummeted from 42% in 2024 to 29% in 2025.

: Women over 40 are twice as likely as men to have storylines focused specifically on physical aging (15% vs. 7%). 2. Current Representation Statistics

Mature women are experiencing a "gold rush" of award-winning performances, yet their overall representation in top-grossing films remains volatile.

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