It’s time for ‘bold action’: A star-studded conversation about diversity at Cannes Lions

The panelists themselves each shared how they had taken their own 'bold action' to add to the movement and stir discussion.

Newton, longtime champion for on-screen diversity, said she benefited from when HBO said earlier this year it would pay male and female leads equally, but she was surprised at how the move toward parity unveiled her own internalized biases.

'When I first discovered how much they were offering, it made me realize, 'Oh, my god, men have been paid so much more,' she said. 'Every year I go into a new production or a new season of 'Westworld,' and I didn't even think to ask for more because I just feel so grateful to be working. But we need to expect more for ourselves.'

Newton urged women to demand equal pay, whatever their profession. 'We need pressure, we need to disrupt, it's part of change and growth,' she said.