Julia Sawalha has blasted "sexist" TV bosses.
Julia Sawalha blasts sexist TV bosses
The 55-year-old actress - who is best known for her role as Saffy in 'Absolutely Fabulous' - has hit out at TV executives for their old-fashioned views on women and claimed that she is always cast as "bitter, twisted old" women.
She told the 'RHLSTP with Richard Herring' podcast: "They’re still writing for women like we’re in the 1940s. Younger actresses are always cast against older actors to play husband and wife, that still hasn’t changed.
"Actresses in their fifties, you get roles sent to you and you’re some bitter old, twisted old [woman] that the husband doesn’t want. You never get the glamorous."
Speaking about her 'Ab Fab' co-star Jennifer Saunders, she went on: "Jennifer said ‘It wouldn’t be accepted in this day and age’. I think the opposite.
"It wasn’t what we called ‘politically correct’ then, and that’s why everyone was like ‘You’re saying everything we can’t’.
"Jennifer is intelligent enough to write it in a way where we can say things that need to be said, because of the cancel culture and the wokeness."
Julia previously claimed her voice role as Ginger in the first 'Chicken Run' movie in 2000 was recast for the sequel because she sounded "too old".
She wrote on X (previously Twitter) in 2020: "Chicken Run 2 announcement! I have officially been plucked, stuffed roasted #ageism'.
"Last week I was informed out of the blue, via email, through my agent that I would not be cast as Ginger in the Chicken Run sequel. The reason they gave is that my voice now sounds 'too old' and they want a younger actress to reprise the role.
"Usually in these circumstances, an actress would be given the chance to do a voice test in order to determine the suitability of their pitch and tone, I however was not given this opportunity.'
"I received my letter of dismissal the day before it was announced that the 'Lone Free Ranger' had been axed from the sequel and that the character of Rocky was to be re-voiced.
"The reason given was that his voice is now too old. I feel I have been fobbed off with the same excuse.
"I went to great lengths to prove to the production that my voice is nigh on the same as it was in the original film. If they will be using some of the original cast members… let's be frank, I feel I have been unfairly dismissed.'
"To say I am devastated and furious would be an understatement. I feel totally powerless, something in all of this doesn't quite ring true. I trust my instincts and they are waving red flags.
"I am saddened that I have lost the chance to work with Nick Park and Peter Lord from whom I learnt so much. The three of us, together, created Ginger.
"Today I responded by wishing the production the best of luck and the greatest success with the sequel."