It's an age-old story for actress Zoë Wanamaker
ZOË WANAMAKER has said that she finds getting acting work more difficult as she gets older.
The 64-year-old says even William Shakespeare was guilty of not writing enough parts for the more mature lady - even though they're far more interesting than their younger counterparts.
"It's difficult to get work as I age but it is always thus," she tells Radio Times.
"Even Shakespeare stopped writing about women while his men aged. The young look nicer but older women are more interesting with more to offer and better stories to tell.
"It's similar in politics; there aren't many women because they find the fighting a bit galling and give up. It's a man's club and that must be difficult. I hope it will change because women's voices are very important and they are - sweeping generalisation - better at judging people as human beings."
Zoë, who was in the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1976 to 1984, has also starred in a string of successful films, including the Harry Potter franchise, and television shows such as the BBC's My Family.
She says becoming famous is sometimes a bit overwhelming: "People would nudge and point. I didn't go into acting for fame and I have a love-hate relationship with it. I feel actors should be anonymous to some extent.
"If you're not your life becomes restricted."