Women, Diversity, and Changing the Story in Film

If you’ve ever wondered how much things are really changing for women in film and TV, you’ll want to catch this week’s podcast episode with powerhouse casting director Anousha Zarkesh.

Key points:

–Platforms like Netflix and Amazon are putting more women in leadership, and the stories being told are richer and more relatable because of it.
-There’s still work to do, especially when it comes to women over 40.
-Listen to this episode of ‘She Wasn’t Born Yesterday’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Anousha has a front-row seat to the shift happening behind the scenes.

“Women are now head of television, they’re producers, they’re head of network,” she told Dr Amelia and Janet Evans.

Platforms like Netflix and Amazon are putting more women in leadership, and the stories being told are richer and more relatable because of it.

But there’s still work to do, especially when it comes to women over 40.

Platforms like Netflix and Amazon are putting more women in leadership, and the stories being told are richer and more relatable because of it.

Thankfully, more female writers and directors are pushing back — creating stories that show women at every stage of life as complex, vibrant, and real.

According to Anousha, authentic representation is another big focus.

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“You have to cast authentically. It’s a lived experience,” Anousha says.

And she’s not just talking about ticking boxes — she’s committed to finding real talent in remote communities and giving voice to diverse lived experiences.

There’s still work to do, especially when it comes to women over 40.

Shows like Redfern Now and Mystery Road are proof of how powerful storytelling can be when it’s grounded in authenticity.

This matters more than ever, Anousha believes and explains that when different voices are given space behind the scenes, the entire storytelling landscape changes; we get narratives that feel real, characters we recognize, and experiences that resonate way beyond the screen.

If you’ve ever felt like the stories you watch don’t quite reflect you — or if you’re just curious about how true change happens in film and TV — you don’t want to miss this episode.

Listen to this episode of ‘She Wasn’t Born Yesterday’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Featured image: Photo by CanvaPro