Actress Joely Richardson has addressed the prevalent issue of ageism within the entertainment industry, shedding light on her own experiences and the necessity of adapting to sustain her career momentum.
In a recent interview, Richardson candidly discussed her ongoing projects, notably Netflix’s ‘The Gentlemen’ and ‘One Day’, as well as her involvement in Disney+’s ‘Renegade Nell’.
Reflecting on her journey, she revealed a noticeable shift in opportunities following her 50th birthday.
Recalling the challenge of securing representation after her previous agent’s departure, Richardson lamented,
“I went to get another agent, and it was like no one wanted me.”
Her testimony underscores the systemic barriers faced by seasoned actresses detailing Hollywood’s competitive landscape.
“And so, even though I had Golden Globe nominations, and blah, blah, blah, zero people wanted a woman over 50.”
The actress then got new agents and said they
“Started finding little ins wherever we could, doing The Sandman (also Netflix), Lady Chatterley’s (Lover) playing the northern housekeeper Mrs Bolton, just like trying to sort of get through the door so people would consider me for roles. And then, they started to come.”
Richardson described her experience on the Ryan Murphy show as a “dream.” However, upon the conclusion of the series, she expressed a desire for a change of pace, opting to delve back into theater. She notably engaged in numerous Off-Broadway productions during this period.
“I needed that,” she added about doing theater after the FX series. “It was like a lovely bridge.”
