Celebrating Olivia Colman

One of Britain’s best-loved actresses, Olivia Colman’s career really took off after she turned 40, and she’s very happy with that. “To be the ingenue and to keep working is rare because once people see you as that, they don’t like the process of aging… Which is fucking ridiculous!... I grew to my place..” Colman recently explained in an interview with Vogue.

And at 45, having had an incredible year with both a BAFTA and Oscar win for her performance as Queen Anne in The Favourites, she is joining a host of other stars proving that the days of an actresses career being over by 29 are (slowly) being put behind us.

With Netflix having FINALLY released the new series of The Crown we can now enjoy Colman as Queen Elizabeth II tackling various dramas as well as addressing the issue of ageing. To celebrate, here are six of Colman’s best down-to-earth quotes about getting older and being a woman.

‘The older you get, the more you have to say.’

‘I did a forward roll for the kids the other day, thinking it'd be a breeze like it was when I was six, and I had to lie flat for about 20 minutes afterwards - 'Leave mummy alone; she's feeling a bit dizzy.'‘

‘As a child, I thought, 'Once I am a grown-up, there will be no more fear, no more worries,' and it turns out that's not true.’

‘I've always wanted to play a Marvel baddie. I'm not sure I fit the mold, though. Like a powerful, extraordinary woman. Somebody with superpowers would be really fun, but I'm not sure how many middle-aged women they have in Marvel.’

‘I've been working a long time; it was a slow burn. But I'm grateful it's been like that.’

‘I'm not a pin-up, thankfully. I'm not suggesting I feel unconfident. I am beautiful to my husband. I am beautiful to my friends. I feel sexy and all those things with the people I love.’