After decades of actresses over 50 seeing diminishing opportunities thanks to Hollywood casting aside older actresses,  television is embracing them more than ever.

In September, Kathy Bates took on Andy Griffith’s legacy, starring in the TV remake “Matlock,” which earned CBS its highest rated series launch since 2019. For the 76-year-old Bates, who in recent years transitioned to the small screen with “Harry’s Law” and “American Horror Story,” it was a no brainer.

“A woman my age would never have such a role – never!” said the eight-time Golden Globe nominee (and two-time winner) during the Television Critics Association panel last July. “I pinch myself every day. I mean, this is certainly a business where a lot of ageism exists, and you know, I’ve only been interested in doing the best work I can possibly do. And to be able to bring in all those facets that I’ve learned from doing all those different kinds of roles into this? I’m glad I stuck around for it.”

Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, responsible for this gender flipping reimagining of the 1986-1995 legal drama added, “I wanted to write about how older women are overlooked in society, and I wanted our heroine to be constantly telling the audience that she’s being underestimated. And above all we want you to sit firmly in the knowledge that just because you’re older doesn’t mean you still can’t be a bad bitch.”

Bates joins CBS primetime alongside 54-year-old Queen Latifah, leading another revival, “The Equalizer,” now in its fifth season, and 57-year-old Carrie Preston, who stars in “Elsbeth,” the latest “The Good Wife” spin-off that debuted in February.

Last spring also saw the premiere of the Apple TV+ comedy series “Palm Royale” led by Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Allison Janney and the 91-year-old Carol Burnett. Additionally, FX aired the second season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series “Feud: Capote Vs the Swans,” featuring Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, Molly Ringwald and Demi Moore, all over 50. More recently, Disney+ had an early fall season hit with “Agatha All Along” starring Kathryn Hahn, Patty LuPone and Debra Jo Rupp.

Another age-defying force is the Golden Globe-winning Jean Smart, who at 73 is in the midst of shooting the fourth season of the Max comedy “Hacks.” And at 66, Angela Bassett reigns as the highest paid Black actress in broadcast TV history for her starring role on procedural drama “9-1-1,” now in its eighth season on ABC. All the while, Bassett continues to act in films, including 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which won her a second Golden Globe almost two years ago.

Michelle Yeoh, who also won a Golden Globe that night for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and followed with TV projects such as “American Born Chinese” and “The Brothers Sun,” which aired earlier this year, echoed a similar sentiment in her speech.

“I turned 60 last year, and I think all of you women understand this, as the days, the years, and the numbers get bigger, it seems like opportunities start to get smaller as well,” said Yeoh, “This is for all the shoulders that I stand on, all who came before me who looks like me, and all who are going on this journey with me forward.”

The experience and wisdom that comes with age make established actresses shine brighter and pay it forward, according to 62-year-old Jodie Foster, who reflected on her career in a press conference promoting HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” back in January.

“I’ve worked for 58 years in the film business and there are things I don’t want to repeat that I already did, stories I’ve already told, and I’m really surprised that at 60 I think I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” said the three-time Golden Globe winner and Cecil B. DeMille Award honoree. “Being there to support a team and bringing whatever knowledge, wisdom that I’ve accrued over the years, being able to apply that and help a team – it’s just so much more fun to be supportive and have something to give.”