Discussing whether there were as many roles for women like her as there are for male actors, Mirren, 71, goes on to say there aren’t but the Hollywood sexism and ageism issue is improving: “It is changing, it’s changing radically. I’m so excited, one of the reasons I’m really glad I didn’t die young is because I’m so excited about the changes that are happening in my culture, in my world, at this moment in time.

Asked if she was already “seeing equality”, the star replies: “No of course not, not yet, but it’s a lot better than it was and I think it will get even better.”

Mirren, who took part in last month’s Women’s March, also says it’s important that people are now “vigilant” to the threat to women’s rights posed by America’s new president and his team.

Elaborating on the “potential” risk to women’s rights, she explains: “I think they [women’s rights] might be eroded. We have come a long way since I was in my teens and for a while we could sit saying this will never change, ‘Oh great, we’ve done it, we’ve won the battle’. But that battle will never be completely won and I think we all have to be vigilant in maintaining the advantages and the advances that have happened, and pushing further.”

Images: Rex Features

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