TV Projects Provide Opportunities for Women Over 50 to Shine

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Last spring also saw the premiere of the Apple TV+ comedy series “Palm Royale” led by Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Allison Janney and the 91-year-old Carol Burnett. Additionally, FX aired the second season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series “Feud: Capote Vs the Swans,” featuring Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, Molly Ringwald and Demi Moore, all over 50. More recently, Disney+ had an early fall season hit with “Agatha All Along” starring Kathryn Hahn, Patty LuPone, and Debra Jo Rupp.
Another age-defying force is the Golden Globe-winning Jean Smart, who at 73 is in the midst of shooting the fourth season of the Max comedy “Hacks.” And at 66, Angela Bassett reigns as the highest paid Black actress in broadcast TV history for her starring role on procedural drama “9-1-1,” now in its eighth season on ABC. All the while, Bassett continues to act in films, including 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which won her a second Golden Globe almost two years ago.
Michelle Yeoh, who also won a Golden Globe that night for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and followed with TV projects like “American Born Chinese” and “The Brothers Sun,” echoed a similar sentiment in her speech.
“I turned 60 last year, and I think all of you women understand this, as the days, the years, and the numbers get bigger, it seems like opportunities start to get smaller as well,” said Yeoh, “This is for all the shoulders that I stand on, all who came before me who look like me, and all who are going on this journey with me forward.”
The experience and wisdom that comes with age make established actresses shine brighter and pay it forward, according to 62-year-old Jodie Foster, who reflected on her career in a press conference promoting HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” back in January.
“I’ve worked for 58 years in the film business and there are things I don’t want to repeat that I already did, stories I’ve already told, and I’m really surprised that at 60 I think I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” said the three-time Golden Globe winner and Cecil B. DeMille Award honoree. “Being there to support a team and bringing whatever knowledge, wisdom that I’ve accrued over the years, being able to apply that and help a team – it’s just so much more fun to be supportive and have something to give.”