A Nielsen study noted that while women over 50 make up 20% of the population, they receive only 8% of total screen time.

Cinema is increasingly challenging the "frail and frumpy" stereotype in favour of characters who are in control of their own destinies.

Research from San Diego State University found that while 33% of female characters are in their 30s, that number drops to just 15% for those in their 40s.

Recent studies highlight a stark "age-gender gap" in Hollywood where visibility declines for women much earlier than for men.