A veteran actor has accused television producers of relying on "insulting" stereotypes when portraying older people on screen, as a new industry-backed report finds large numbers of viewers aged 55 and over feel ignored by modern programming.
Chris Conil, 77, who has worked as an extra on series including EastEnders, Silent Witness and The Bill, said broadcasters too often show older characters as "grumpy, feeble or comic relief" and that producers are prioritising younger audiences over the tastes of mature viewers. "Ageing is a chapter, not the final page," Conil said. "Give us characters with proper stories, not cardboard cut-outs. If you respect older viewers, they'll be loyal and spread the word. But right now, we're being let down."
The comments accompany "The Upper Third" report produced by the Freeview channel network Great!, which surveyed more than 2,000 people aged 18 to over 75 and an additional 2,060 respondents over 55 in August 2025. The report found that roughly a third of the UK population — about 22 million people — are aged 55 or over, and that this cohort watches more television than any other age group, averaging three hours and 42 minutes a day.
Despite their high viewing figures, the study found that 26 percent of those mature viewers feel "forgotten" by today’s TV producers. More than eight in 10 respondents over 55 (85 percent) said they were not portrayed positively on television; the share rose to 89 percent among women over 75. Two-thirds of over-55s (63 percent) said older actors in modern dramas tend to play "offensive," "doddering" or otherwise stereotypical roles that make them the "butt of the joke."
Great! also reported that, in the week prior to the relaunch, the five terrestrial channels showed just nine classic shows, representing less than 5 percent of total programming. In response, the Great! network has relaunched channels aimed at older audiences, including Great! TV, Great! Action, Great! Mystery and a new Great! Christmas channel, with a schedule of classic series and films.
The network's relaunch went on air at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, on Freeview channel 34, and its programming slate includes titles such as Rising Damp, Murder, She Wrote and the Carry On films. Kate Gartland, marketing director for Great!, said the relaunch is intended to respond to viewers who feel sidelined. "Britain's most loyal TV viewers are 'not young', and so they're being routinely ignored by broadcasters," Gartland said. "Our core audiences are telling us loud and clear they feel left behind and want somewhere to watch their favourite shows — and that's exactly what we're giving them at Great!"
Conil, a former baker who trained at the National Bakery School in London and ran multiple bakeries in Essex before turning to acting later in life, said the industry underestimates the complexity and richness of mature lives. He ran a retirement home for 14 years with his wife, Suzanne, and has worked as a model and local councillor in Seaford. "We've lived rich and varied lives. That's what's missing in a lot of TV today," he said, praising series such as Happy Valley and The Vicar of Dibley for writing that appeals across generations.
He also pointed to Netflix's adaptation of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club as a potential positive example and said he hoped future productions would expand opportunities for older actors. "If TV really wants to capture older audiences, it needs to stop patronising us," Conil said.
The report from Great! frames its relaunch as a commercial and cultural response to those findings, arguing that older viewers represent significant viewership, purchasing power and loyalty. The network said it curated channels to celebrate series that its target audience requests, positioning the offering as company and entertainment for audiences who say mainstream schedules prioritise programming aimed at younger demographics.
Industry commentators note a wider shift in commissioning and scheduling practices over recent years as broadcasters seek younger viewers prized by advertisers and streaming services chase subscriber growth. Advocates for older audiences and some creatives have called for more diverse and nuanced roles for mature actors, arguing such portrayals better reflect demographic changes and the range of experiences among older people.
Conil said richer representation would not only serve viewers but also the industry. "Arts and culture programmes that assume we can handle complexity should be the criteria," he said. "We represent decades of purchasing power, cultural sophistication and viewing loyalty. Hear our voice."