Samantha Morton blames ageism for year‑long work gap after ‘The Odyssey’

British actress Samantha Morton, 49, said she has not worked for a year since filming Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey, which wrapped in August 2025. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Morton attributed the hiatus to ageism and changing industry politics, noting, “I’ve got really good agents and a manager, but at the end of the day, I’m 49.”

She also recalled being replaced by Scarlett Johansson on Spike Jonze’s 2013 film Her, describing the experience as “sad” and “hurt.” Despite the gap, Morton announced upcoming roles in the rescue thriller Love and War and Amazon’s crime series Dirty, and expressed confidence she will keep acting into her 80s. The comments have reignited discussion about the challenges older actors face in Hollywood.

Morton’s remarks come amid personal hardships, including the recent loss of her sister, but the primary focus of media coverage is her career pause and the broader issue of age discrimination in the entertainment industry.