For many actresses, ageism is a big issue in the TV and film industry, seeing roles dry up as they get older.
However, production companies are “starting to turn things around”, according to actress Alex Fletcher.
Alex, who has played Diane Hutchinson on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks since 2010, is celebrating 30 years on our television screens.
She also played the role of Jacqui Dixon in Brookside from 1990, joining the soap at the age of 12, until the series ended in 2003.
Appearing on The Menopod podcast , she argues that actors over the age of 40 can “bring so much more” to a role.
The Menopod is the award-winning podcast that answers the crucial questions for women over-45, tackling the menopause “one G&T at a time”.
Speaking to host Dawn Collinson, Alex is full of admiration for other female actors on TV, picking out Suranne Jones, Victoria Hamilton, and Alison Steadman for praise.
“There are so many women absolutely smashing it,” Alex told the podcast.
“I think the acting industry as a whole, never mind how old you are, is so precarious.
“You can be the most talented person on this planet, and not have worked for a couple of years. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
“I don’t think that’s just an age thing. Times have changed. There’s different opportunities out there.”
She added: “It’s turning a little bit. I think, at the minute, [older actors are] being championed, really. And it’s been lovely to see. Production companies are starting to turn things around.”
“I am, fingers crossed, [hoping that] being in your 40s doesn’t matter. We can bring so much more to a role.”
Alex also tells Dawn about how she has coped with the menopause recently.
“I am going through the change of life. That’s been really, really quite difficult for me, because I think I hadn’t really addressed it properly,” she said.
“I was so busy with work that I didn’t have time to really focus on myself, because I’ve got the kids and you think it’s more important to go for a walk with them, rather than I’ll go for a half-hour run for me.
“I realise how important that is: the exercise, getting out for a run. I got the bug back.
“I’ve probably lost a little bit of weight, and I’ve lost that bloatiness, which when you’re going through the change, that’s how you feel - because you’re holding a lot of water.”
She also discusses her own perception of the menopause, and how she is starting to feel more like herself after experiencing it.
“It’s a funny one. Your body is going through a massive change,” Alex said.
“And someone mentioned HRT to me yesterday in work, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, is that a conversation I need to have with my doctor?’
“Maybe I need to have a little talk about this HRT because apparently you feel marvellous on it.
“I’ve not gone down that road, because I associate that - and this is awful - with being old, and it’s not.”
Alex added: “I think I’m through the hard bit. I feel like I’ve got through that myself.
“It was 18 months ago when I was in the thick of it, but I now do feel a bit more like me again.”
You can listen to the full interview with Alex Fletcher on The Menopod podcast. It is presented by Sue Lee and Dawn Collinson, and it is produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin.
The Menopod is an award-winning Laudable production for Reach, and it is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
Laudable is a Google-funded audio project for local news, run in partnership by Reach and JPI Media.
