Main content

The Older Woman

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore the older woman and age gap romances on screen. With guests Anne Reid and Anne Billson.

From Norma Desmond to Mrs Robinson, the older woman has long been a provocative icon of cinema. And older woman-younger man relationships are still raising eyebrows and garnering headlines, thanks to recent films like Babygirl, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy and Marty Supreme.

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode look at what happens when the woman is older in an age gap relationship, and ask - why is the older woman still such a provocative proposition?

Ellen speaks to critic and cosmopolitan older woman Anne Billson about the evolution of the older woman through film history, from Sunset Boulevard to Something's Gotta Give.

Mark talks to actor Anne Reid about her controversial first lead film role, in 2003's The Mother - about a sexagenarian grandmother who starts a relationship with her daughter's boyfriend, played by Daniel Craig.

And Mark also talks to Matt Greenhalgh, the screenwriter behind Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool, which told the story of Hollywood star Gloria Grahame's real late-in-life romance with the 28-year-old Liverpudlian actor Peter Turner.

Producer: Jane Long
A Prospect Street production for Âé¶¹Éç Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Tue 27 Jan 2026 11:00

Broadcasts

  • Fri 23 Jan 2026 19:15
  • Tue 27 Jan 2026 11:00

Which films and TV inspired Netflix hits Bridgerton and Squid Game?

Which films and TV inspired Netflix hits Bridgerton and Squid Game?

Screenshot explores the connections between today’s streaming hits.

Why did the erotic thriller run out of steam?

Why did the erotic thriller run out of steam?

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore cinema's steamiest genre.

How did method acting become so extreme?

How did method acting become so extreme?

A historical timeline of the sometimes bizarre technique.

Why going to the cinema is good for you

Why going to the cinema is good for you

Going to the movies isn’t just for fun – it benefits your mind, body and soul. Here’s why

Podcast