According to Phoebe Dynevor, there’s not just a sexist double standard in Hollywood; there’s an ageist one, too. In a new interview with The Evening Standard, the “Bridgerton” alum and “Fair Play” star talked about how she feels there are more roles in the film industry for “young men” and “older women,” but not as many for actresses her age. To hel solve the situation, the 28-year-old plans to produce in the future and create roles for herself and other young female stars.
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“I have read some great scripts recently. And yeah, I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but there is still, like, not that many parts going,” Dynevor told the oulet. “There is such a space for male actors…There are so many of them. And they’re all great. They’re all very talented young men, and they do not stop working, and good for them. But you know, when I think about the girls my age…There’s way more room for them and there is still not enough room for us.” The actress added, “It’s a really good time for older women, which is amazing and there’s a lot for these young men, but not a lot for actresses that I know in my age bracket.”
To help herself and other actresses her age, Dynevor plans to produce projects in the future. “I eventually want to produce,” the actress continued. “I would like to create the material that I feel is missing. I don’t know when that will be, but it’s a dream of mine.” So is Dynever’s assessment of Hollywood’s lack of roles for women her age correct? The up-and-comer landed a starring role in “Fair Play” last year, Chloe Domont‘s erotic finance thriller that hit Netflix after its buzzy Sundance premiere. And while she won’t return to the next season of “Bridgerton,” she stars in upcoming films like “The Inheritance” and “Anniversary,” which will likely both receive 2024 releases. So it’s not as if the actress isn’t getting work.
But Dynevor may have in mind A-list, marquee roles for young women in big studio productions, like, for instance, Lois Lane in “Superman: Legacy,” for which she auditioned last year. Dynevor lost out on the role to Rachel Brosnahan, but a part like Lane is what the actress craves there was more of in Hollywood. “It was a whirlwind and then I realized that it was over, but it was great,” Dynevor told Variety about her audition. “She saves Superman. She’s the brains; she’s actually the fearless one.” But with female-centric movies like “Madame Web” and “Drive-Away Dolls” in theaters this month, maybe now isn’t the optimum time for Dynevor to make these comments.
Still, Dynevor’s comments about more roles for older actresses may hold more truth than she realizes. Naomi Watts commented on the sea change for actresses over 40 being more able to find steady roles to EW in October 2022. “I was told, ‘You better get a lot done because it’s all over at 40 when you become unfuckable,’” Watts said about her earlier career. “And I’m like, ‘What? What does that mean exactly?’ Then you think about it, and you go, ‘Oh, right. When you are no longer reproductive, when those organs are no longer functioning, you are not sexy, so, therefore, you are not hirable.’ That just made me so mad.” And, of course, Watts is still getting roles, including the latest adaptation of the French erotic story “Emmanuelle” and the new season of “Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans,” which she also executive produces.
So maybe there’s something to Dynevor’s vision after all: if you can’t find the role you want, make it yourself.