Jane Fonda, star of Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie, says good writers 'have gone to television'

With two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, seven bestselling books and a fitness revolution under her belt, Jane Fonda was a veritable brand before branding was even a thing.

She may be one of Hollywood's elite, but Fonda see roles shrinking — for her and those of her generation.

"Especially women over 70 that are having sex, having fun and doing all kinds of things that you don't expect older women to do," the 78-year-old actress told CBC News in an interview in Los Angeles.

The On Golden Pond and Monster-In-Law star says the expense of making a movie these days means studios fall back on genres that have mass audience appeal and which often excludes many demographics.

"You have to make a certain kind of movie that will work in all kinds of countries, which means not comedy, not character-driven, a lot of explosions and things like that," she said. 

"There's not a lot of room for older people in those movies, especially older women."

Over the last few years, Fonda has shifted her focus to television. She appeared for three seasons as a media mogul on Aaron Sorkin's critically acclaimed series The Newsroom.

Now, she's back with Grace and Frankie, in which Fonda plays a woman whose husband falls in love with another man. The comedy-drama's second season launches on Netflix this week.

"A lot of the good writers who do more character-driven, more unusual things have gone to television," she said.

Grace and Frankie, which also stars Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen, was created by Marta Kauffman, the powerhouse behind Friends and Veronica's Closet.

Fonda said she believes it's easier for older men to find quality roles than it is for women, but the variety of projects being developed for the small screen — combined with strong writing teams — are helping to level the playing field.

"It's a real thrill and it's on television where you do that."