So true. I actually get a bit mad at this. There are plenty of excellent, under-employed character actors out there who have enough charisma that a lead role could propel them to stardom despite their lack of movie star looks, and then that role goes to someone who is conventionally hot who could get their pick of conventional lead roles. Fortunately, UK casting directors seem to be MUCH better at casting folks who aren't classically beautiful but who suit the role, as well as employing plenty of female actors over 40. Can you imagine Caroline Quentin or Olivia Colman ( both idiosyncratically attractive, but not beautiful) getting lead roles in an American series? Or Helen Mirren, hot as she is, getting a series like Prime Suspect when she was over 40 if it was made in the US? This is one of the reasons why US remakes of shows often don't work. Selma Blair was simply not as convincing as Gina Riley in Kath 'n' Kim.