Catherine McClements on Ageing and Intimacy: New Role Forces Actor to Confront Her Own Biases

In a candid interview, McClements said she initially questioned whether audiences would be interested in a show centred on the romantic lives of older characters. The actor, now in her 60s, admitted that she had internalised some of the same ageist attitudes she sees in the wider culture.

"I think I had to question my own biases," McClements said. "Why did I think this story was less important? Why did I assume younger viewers wouldn't care?"

The series Dalliance aims to fill a gap in Australian television, where stories of intimacy and love among older people remain rare. McClements' character, a woman rediscovering her sexuality after a long marriage, is a departure from the grandmotherly roles often offered to actors her age.

McClements, known for roles in Water Rats, The Secret Life of Us, and Total Control, said she is finally finding joy in her work but still struggles to watch herself on screen. The show's producers have emphasised that the series is not a novelty but a necessary exploration of a universal human experience.

Critics have noted that while the entertainment industry has made some progress in representing older actors, the focus is often on family or comedy, rather than romantic or sexual fulfilment. Dalliance is part of a small but growing movement of content that treats older characters as fully realised adults with active desires.

McClements hopes the series will spark conversations not only about ageism but also about the freedom that comes with age. "There's a liberation in being older, in knowing yourself, that makes these stories even more compelling," she said.

Why This Matters

The series challenges persistent cultural taboos around sexuality and intimacy in later life, which often go unrepresented in mainstream media.
McClements' candid admission of her own biases highlights how ageism is internalised, even by those who experience it.
The show could influence how Australian television producers and audiences think about content for and about older demographics.

Background

Catherine McClements has been a prominent figure in Australian television, film, and theatre for over three decades. Her roles have often been complex and dramatic, but she has rarely been given the opportunity to portray a character whose romantic life is central to the plot. Dalliance is written by a team that includes older writers and consultants, aiming for authenticity. The series arrives amid a broader cultural reckoning with ageism in Hollywood and beyond, though Australian productions have been slower to embrace the trend.

Key Perspectives

Catherine McClements (Actor): She sees the role as a personal and professional breakthrough, forcing her to confront her own biases and advocate for more nuanced depictions of older people. Producers and Writers of 'Dalliance': They argue that there is a hungry audience for stories about older love and that the series is commercially viable, not just a niche project. Critics and Industry Observers: Some question whether the show will find a broad audience, especially among younger viewers, and caution that one series does not solve systemic ageism in casting and storytelling. Others point out that the show's success could open doors for more diverse narratives.

What to Watch

Ratings and streaming numbers for the first few episodes will indicate whether there is mainstream appetite for this content.
Whether other Australian networks announce similar projects focusing on older characters in romantic or dramatic leads.
McClements' own future casting choices — if she starts receiving more scripts of this kind, it could signal a shift in the industry.

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