Cate Blanchett has been a fixture in Hollywood for decades — a rare feat in an industry that, until recently, gave women a narrow window to succeed. In a new interview with Business Insider promoting her latest film Black Bag, the Oscar-winning actress reflected on how the industry has changed since she first broke out with Elizabeth in 1998.
"The shelf life of actresses when I first came on the scene was about five years," Blanchett said.
Now 55, Blanchett has outlasted that expectation many times over. She credits the evolving landscape of Hollywood — particularly the influence of the #MeToo movement and the growing number of women in creative leadership roles — for widening the path for others.
"I think that female producers have more agency," she said. "There’s more females in the writing room, and the more diverse the industry is at base level, when things are developed, the more exciting it is for audiences."
While she acknowledges that ageism and sexism haven’t disappeared, Blanchett points out that they exist across all fields. "I think there’s ageism and sexism in every industry. I just think that we’re a very public-facing industry," she noted.
Stepping Into Spy Mode in Black Bag
In Black Bag, directed by Steven Soderbergh, Blanchett plays Kathryn St. Jean, a stylish and enigmatic spy who may have betrayed her country — and her husband. Michael Fassbender plays George Woodhouse, a brilliant intelligence officer who begins to question everything when doubts about his wife surface. Their volatile relationship, including its sexual intensity, plays a key role in the story.
"There was a very strong sexual bond between George and Kathryn, and it was important for that to sing," Blanchett said. To embody Kathryn, Blanchett dons a long, dark wig — a choice inspired by Soderbergh’s cryptic but visually focused direction. The one note she got from the famously minimalistic director? "Big hair," she recalled with a laugh.
Stylish, Sexy — and Cinematic
Soderbergh’s vision for Black Bag was clear: sleek, alluring, and cinematic in the most accessible sense.
"The thing that Steven said that really stayed with me throughout the shoot is that we’re making a movie. We’re not making a film," Blanchett shared.
That distinction — entertainment that embraces both glamour and substance — aligns closely with Blanchett’s own evolution: a performer who continues to surprise, challenge, and stay in demand.
