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: Despite growth, older women remain underrepresented compared to older men. One study found that characters over 60 in romantic comedies are overwhelmingly white, middle-class, and heterosexual, with almost no representation of ethnic or sexual minorities ResearchGate 2. The "Double Standard" of Aging

: Women over 50 account for only about 25.3% of all characters in that age bracket in film.

Streaming services have liberated mature sexuality from the "cougar" joke. Helen Mirren has long been the standard-bearer, but she is no longer alone. Shows like Grace and Frankie (starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in their 80s) normalized older women discussing vibrators, dating, and desire without shame. In The White Lotus season two, Jennifer Coolidge (61) delivered a masterclass in tragicomic desire, turning her character’s longing for connection into one of the most talked-about performances on television.

Beyond the Ingénue: The Evolving Portrayal and Industry Role of Mature Women in Entertainment and Cinema