EASTENDERS star Annette Badland has hit back against being given "old granny roles" because of her age.
The actress admits that while has no plans of slowing down her acting career – TV bosses have had other ideas.
The star – who portrayed Aunt Babe in the BBC One soap – has been left feeling "not wanted any more" thanks to the new types of role she's being cast in due to her age.
Annette, 72, who recently let her white hair grow out – says she's been offered countless "old lady" roles instead of the leading lady ones she still hopes for.
She told the Soap From the Box podcast: "I think it’s terrible, when a woman hits 40, for those actresses aged between 40 and 60 who have been leads in series, at the top of their game and suddenly they’re not required anymore.
"They don’t fit into the box.
read more on annette badland
EastEnders’ Babe star Annette Badland got terrifying death threats from fans
EastEnders’ Aunt Babe could return as Annette Badland admits upset over exit
"For me, I let my hair go white during Covid because I wondered what was under there, thought it was a great opportunity and then liked the colour and decided to keep it.
"I asked my agent, they said they was fine with them and all that.
"But now I do find I get a lot of grannies, old lady roles.
"You think, come on, Helen Mirren, and what about all the barristers, the businesswomen of that age?"
Most read in TV
Strictly star split from fiance after 'falling in love' with dance partner
David Jason, 83, gives major health update as he cancels Only Fools event
Emmerdale star quits soap after 12 years as actor teases ‘sad ending’
Inside Vicky McClure’s wedding as she reunites with Line of Duty stars
It comes after Annette was seen looking very different from her EastEnders days as she glammed up for an awards show.
She accepted a prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last year.
Annette was with her co-stars in the streaming hit Ted Lasso, where she plays tough landlady Mae.
She was alongside Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple and Hannah Waddingham as they scooped Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Annette first appeared in EastEnders in 2014 as part of a set of new characters that expanded the Carter family.
Babe was last seen being slung out of the Queen Vic after is was discovered she left her sister Sylvie to die and hasn't been seen since 2017.
Soap From The Box is available to stream on Apple Podcasts.
Source: Read Full Article