Olivia Colman the actress leading the way for women at their peak on our tv screens

For the first time, we are seeing more women like us on our screens and picking up awards – and it really matters, says Louise Court

Seeing Olivia Colman’s beaming face as she picked up her Oscar was a wonderful moment. Ultra-glamorous in her Prada gown, and basking in multiple awards successes, it felt like watching one of our own, laughing and fooling around with the A-list.

we’ve witnessed this much-loved, home-grown star progress from tv shows like Peep Show and Broadchurch to justifiably rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in showbusiness. But it wasn’t just the recognition of the phenomenal talent of this daughter of a norfolk nurse and chartered surveyor that made it so uplifting. it was the fact that here was a breath of fresh air. the real deal. a 45-year-old woman whose face moves as nature intended, and who embraced the cake as she piled on two stone for her acclaimed role as Queen anne in The Favourite. Forget the hollywood cliché of tiny, gym-pummelled bodies and frozen,

nipped and tucked visages robbed of natural expression, here was a woman at her peak and enjoying every moment.

she acknowledges her midlife success, saying, “i’m lucky that i’m working more than i’ve ever worked, having hit 44. i’ve done more than i did when i was in my twenties. i’m more interesting now.” to make matters even better, she’s not alone. two of her fellow nominees for the Best actress oscar were Glenn Close, 72, rocking not just a silver crop but having on-screen sex scenes at an age when most women are assumed to be prioritising orthopaedics over orgasms; and melissa mcCarthy, who at 48 has permanently had to defend the fact that she is not the same dress size as her shoes.

does it mean that change has finally come? are we at last seeing strong, empowered women on the world stage who look and behave like us? when encouraging young women to aspire to

“We need visible role models who prove your value doesn’t diminish as the tally of candles on your birthday cake grows”

the top jobs, it is very much part of the millennial conversation – they say that “you have to see it in order to be it”. it is equally true for our generation. we need visible role models who prove your value doesn’t diminish as the tally of candles on your birthday cake grows.

while, undoubtedly, there are still whole tranches of politics and business that are “stale, male and pale”, there’s also a growing number of women who are making change happen. the importance of seeing strong women take the lead on our tv screens cannot be ignored. From presenter Zoe Ball landing the coveted Radio 2 Breakfast Show role to Fiona Bruce balancing the politesse of the Antiques Roadshow with the bear pit of Question Time, and 58-yearold shirley Ballas owning the judging panel of Strictly, the message is that women over 40 won’t just disappear any more. Let’s not be fooled – there is still a long way to go, but it does feel like we are reaching a tipping point.

Psychologist dr nicky hogan, who is researching midlife experiences, said she was impressed by the women she had met in their sixties who say they are only just beginning. “i think men often age more than women, mentally and physically. men adapt more of a ‘that’s it now i am going to put my feet up’ attitude, whereas women seem to get a second and third wind. there is a sense of ‘we are here. we are not invisible’.” terri white, editor of film magazine Empire, agrees: “it does feel like there is something of a movement and there has been for the last three or four years. in last year’s Best supporting actress category at the oscars, everyone was over 40. the hollywood system is still dominated by men, but there has been a recognition that 50% of cinemagoers are women, and they want to see themselves reflected in interesting and relatable ways.”

Forthcoming big releases for 2019 still feature mainly male comic book and sci-fi heroes, but the growing number of strong roles for women is set to continue. it is important not just for us but for our daughters and granddaughters too. “i have interviewed a lot of women,” said dr hogan, “and the one thing they keep saying is: ‘it is my time now’.” w&h