Back in October of last year, it was revealed that actress Cate Blanchett would make the leap into the realm of prestige TV dramas with the limited series “Mrs. America.” And now, just under a year later, we have our first look at the FX series and how Blanchett and the rest of the cast plan to tell the story of one of the most controversial times in American history.
For those not aware of the story, “Mrs. America” follows Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative woman that opposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) during the ‘70s. As you might imagine, other major historical figures that supported the bill such as Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus fought against Schlafly to ensure the bill’s passing. FX says the series will show how the fight over the ERA led to the creation of the Moral Majority and changed the political landscape of the US forever.
Joining Blanchett in the cast, and in the first looks, are Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Margo Martindale, Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Banks, and Tracey Ullman. The series is written by former “Mad Men” scribe Dahvi Waller and the first two episodes are directed by the “Captain Marvel” duo of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.
“Mrs. America” is expected to debut on FX sometime in 2020.
Here’s the synopsis for the show, as well as the first-look images:
Mrs. America tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly, played by Blanchett. Through the eyes of the women of that era – both Schlafly and second wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus – the series explores how one of the toughest battlegrounds in the culture wars of the 70s helped give rise to the Moral Majority and forever shifted our political landscape.
