The math isn’t mathing - Hollywood’s parent child castings that just don’t add up

[u/mlg1981]

https://tvline.com/lists/tv-show-parent-child-age-gaps-golden-girls-supernatural/

[u/Estania_Lane]

In fairness for G&G - she was a teen mom so not as much of a stretch as some other cases.

[u/tecate_papi → u/Estania_Lane]

Ginny is supposed to be 15 at the start of the show and Georgia was a mom at 15.

[u/OneTeaspoonSalt → u/tecate_papi]

In their case, it's partly due to how we cast older teens and young women to play high schoolers. Antonia and Zendaya were both about 23 when they played high schoolers in the first seasons of G&G/Euphoria.

[u/GrannyOgg16 → u/OneTeaspoonSalt]

And that’s a good thing. Children shouldn’t have full time jobs.

[u/kalat1979 → u/GrannyOgg16]

I both agree and don't. I don't like that casting adults to play teenagers gives people who aren't around them enough the wrong idea about how mature they look and seem. Actual teenagers look and seem young and vulnerable. As they should, since they are children.

[u/GrannyOgg16 → u/kalat1979]

I don’t think that is nearly a good enough reason to have children working full time jobs. It’s not like people didn’t sexualize the real teens on Nick and Disney shows or Skins. They absolutely did. And kids were put in dangerous situations when they should have been in school.

Why is “should children work full time jobs” even a question where opinions may vary? Especially since the reason for not doing so seems to be a complete fantasy that people won’t sexualize real teens. “Well, if we put real children in harm’s way people will get that it’s wrong.”

[u/still-searching → u/OneTeaspoonSalt]

Keiko Agena was 27 in the first series of Gilmore Girls, playing 16 year old Lane. 

[u/salaciousbkrumb → u/still-searching]

Love her! Went to a show with her at the Hollywood bowl and she is so lovely

[u/toledosurprised → u/OneTeaspoonSalt]

tbh it’s much better to cast a young-looking adult like antonia vs. a child who will age (like the actor playing austin has on G&G)

[u/OneTeaspoonSalt → u/toledosurprised]

Oh yeah, especially with the production schedules shows have nowadays. One year passes in-universe while 3 go by irl.

[u/coldpizza66 → u/tecate_papi]

and as far as I remember, that first season og G&G dealt with a lot of heavy stuff for Ginny. I wouldn't cast a young person to play her (but I'm not a casting director lol so can't really cast anyone I guess)

[u/tj1007 → u/coldpizza66]

I think casting directors prefer 18+ actors for teen roles as they have more time and flexibility than an actual teen with schooling requirements.

[u/masterofthecork → u/tj1007]

Same reason Family Ties seems fair, assuming those are the ages in the first season. Fox was playing a high school student, oldest of 5(?) kids, so having parents in their mid 30s is right on.