Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
our alumni
Natasha Parcei
This thesis explores popular representations of older women through analysis of three major British stars of global renown, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Helen Mirren, and the roles they play alongside analysis of print media representations. To conduct this research this thesis uses theories of cultural aging from scholars such as Gullette at an intersection with Dyer's account of star topologies as an analytical tool. Locating these stars in the 'successful aging' paradigm, this analysis traces 'graceful aging' as the common ground of these stars while highlighting the nuances of individual images brought into being by particular roles.