Emma Thompson has criticised the film industry for its lack of representation of older women, following research showing that more films feature male leads named Chris than women over 60 in leading roles.
The study, conducted by the Centre for Ageing Better, analysed the top 100 films from 2023, 2024, and 2025. It found six films led by a man named Chris, compared to just five with a woman over 60 as the lead. Talking animals were four times more likely to be the lead than older women.
Thompson, who supports the charity's Age Without Limits campaign, said: 'Women are half the population and we get older. So where are the stories about us? The older we get, the more interesting we are. I want to see more films centre ageing women, we are compelling, relatable, and overdue for centre stage.'
The five films with older women leads include 'Allelujah' (Jennifer Saunders), 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' (Nia Vardalos), 'Book Club: The Next Chapter' (Diane Keaton), 'The Substance' (Demi Moore), and 'Freakier Friday' (Jamie Lee Curtis). The Chris-led films feature actors such as Chris Pratt, Chris Pine, and Chris Hemsworth.
Dr Carole Easton OBE, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, called the findings 'absolutely ludicrous'. She noted that up to one in five UK cinema attendees are aged 55 and above, spending hundreds of millions annually. 'The lack of representation is insulting,' she added. A poll commissioned by the charity found one in three participants wanted more films led by women over 60.
