Olivia Colman has complained about the way women are judged and said people “act shocked” when they swear.

The actress was speaking ahead of the release of her new movie, Wicked Little Letters, in which she plays one of several women targeted by anonymous obscene mail in an English seaside town in the 1920s.

The movie is based on real events and the swearing in the letters outraged people at the time.

Ms Colman told the Radio Times Podcast the film’s swearing was “lifted from real letters, and this was debated in Parliament.

“Everyone was following it in the broadsheets. It was shocking. Today, there are [still] comments on what women should look like… if a woman swears people act shocked! F*** off! Women are human – funny, filthy, loving, caring – just like men.”

The actress, who recently appeared in Wonka, said the movie’s female characters are treated differently to men – and that hasn’t changed.

She said: “The women are looked at and judged and, unfortunately, that still exists. Trolling is something they did even then, but in the form of letter writing.”

Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts

The actress, who made her name on TV in series such as Peep Show and Broadchurch, said she isn’t convinced that women are enjoying a new era in the way they are represented on screen.

She said: “There’ve been many fantastic female-centric films which have moved me.

“And some of the biggest-grossing films, Barbie, Bridesmaids, Thelma & Louise, are led by women.

“People say men get paid more because they get more bums on seats. That’s a lie! It can be proved in the box office. I don’t know why we’re still having to discuss it!”

Read more:
Radio ‘legend’ Steve Wright dies
Who made the annual Oscars photo?
Usher marries after Super Bowl show

Wicked Little Letters, which she also produced, had its European premiere in London on Tuesday.

It co-stars Timothy Spall and Jessie Buckley, with whom Colman appeared in 2021’s acclaimed drama, The Lost Daughter.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Ms Colman, who also played Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, will be at this weekend’s film BAFTAs where Wonka is up for Outstanding British Film alongside the likes of All of Us Strangers, Poor Things, Saltburn and more.

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has been nominated in five categories.

Related posts:

‘The most loving human being’: Mark Wahlberg and brother Donnie pay tribute to their mother after her death aged 78 Trying, Breeders and The Army Of The Dead ‘It’s the art form this story was made for’: ENO and TikTok stars turn Tiger King into ‘TikTopera’ David McKee: Children’s author of Mr Benn and Elmer dies at 87 Keeping Up Appearances actress Josephine Tewson dies aged 91 ‘A threat to young men’: Andrew Tate banned from Facebook and Instagram Jonah Hill steps back from promoting films to protect mental health The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus honoured on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame Demon Headmaster and The Crown actor dies Michael Sheen says it’s ‘hard to accept’ non-Welsh actors in Welsh roles Ex-Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia Four Weddings star Anna Chancellor’s daughter dies aged 36