Older actors are also gettingsupporting roles that show rangeaudiences may not have realized they were capable of.
Bates has four Oscar nominations and one win.
Her most recent nomination was only five years ago forRichard Jewell.
Custom Image by Nimesh Niyomal
She is widely considered to be one of the best actors alive.
She toldHollywood Reporter, “Quite frankly, I was thinking about going into semi-retirement.”
Bates added, “I really can’t believe all this, especially at my age.”
Image via CBS
These kinds of great roles for actors over 70 arepart of an overall pattern on TV right now.
Harrison Ford gives fellow ‘Shrinking’ co-star Jason Segel the biggest compliment.
But, it’s not only that Ford’s role onShrinkingis non-IP.
It’s also justa great role for him.
Paul fits the archetypal sarcastic authority figure that series creatorBill Lawrenceloves.
He’s definitely similar toJohn C. McGinley’s Dr. Cox onScrubs.
Image via Apple TV+
His romantic storyline with Dr. Julie Baram, played byWendie Malick, is a highlight of the show.
The two have electric chemistry.
Ford expressed toVarietyhow fulfilling his role onShrinkingis to him.
Image via Paramount
I say this with tongue in cheek, butEvitaruined my career.
He was just 15 years older than co-starKelsey Grammar.
This is partially becausehow TV is produced has changed so much.
Making a television show shot in front of a live audience is physically demanding work.
Filming a season of a modern sitcom likeShrinkingis more comparable to filming a movie.
Older actors are more likely to have the name recognition executives are looking for.
Something likeTulsa Kingmay have never been made without a bankable star like Sylvester Stallone at its center.
This year,the indie comedyThelmagave 94-year-oldJune Squibbher first lead role.Anthony Hopkinsrecently won an Oscar forThe Father.
But, these are smaller movies that audiences have to seek out.
In popular movies, older actors are prevalent because of franchises and non-stop sequels.
By contrast, the most popular shows on TV right now are full ofolder actors in original roles.
Television is a medium older actors are turning to more and more for complex and original roles.
