Just last month, Mrs. America was nominated for ten Primetime Emmys, including four for its cast. It’s hardly surprising considering the excellent ensemble that’s been brought together for this miniseries about the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and the resulting backlash led by Phyllis Schlafly.
Photos from the show already indicate the impressive job done by hair, makeup, and wardrobe in recreating 1970s America and the activists and politicians that populate this moment in history. Coupled with performances from a remarkable cast, we’re sure to be sucked right into this series.
Mrs. America starts on Monday 28 September at 21:30 on M-Net channel 101. Until then, take a glimpse at the incredible job done at bringing these real-figures to the screen.
Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly
On screen: Cate Blanchett – Aussie actress and two-time Academy Award winner.
Real life: Phyllis Schlafly – conservative activist, lawyer, and political lobbyist who founded the STOP ERA campaign.
Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem
On screen: Rose Byrne – comedy film luminary and fellow Aussie.
Real life: Gloria Steinem – journalist and activist who co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus and Ms. magazine.
Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm
On screen: Uzo Aduba – Emmy-winning actress, best known as Suzanne Warren in Orange Is the New Black.
Real life: Shirley Chisholm – politician and author, she was the first black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first black candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States.
Elizabeth Banks as Jill Ruckelshaus
On screen: Elizabeth Banks – actress and director of Pitch Perfect 2 and Charlie’s Angels.
Real life: Jill Ruckelshaus – Republican feminist activist and co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the National Women's Political Caucus.
Ari Graynor as Brenda Feigen
On screen: Ari Graynor – appeared in prestige and popular TV shows like The Sopranos and Fringe.
Real life: Brenda Feigen – feminist activist, attorney, and the National Legislative Vice President of NOW.
Melanie Lynskey as Rosemary Thomson
On screen: Melanie Lynskey – from her debut in Heavenly Creatures to her long-running stint on Two and Half Men, the New Zealand actress is no stranger to fans of film and TV.
Real life: Rosemary Thomson – conservative activist and member of STOP ERA.
Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug
On screen: Margo Martindale – Character actress, Emmy winner, and Tony nominee.
Real life: Bella Abzug – US congresswoman, co-founder of NOW and the National Women's Political Caucus, and the leader of President Carter’s National Advisory Commission for Women.
John Slattery as Fred Schlafly
On screen: John Slattery – Mad Men star and Howard Stark in the MCU.
Real life: Fred Schlafly – Phyllis’s husband Fred, a lawyer, conservative activist, and anti-communist.
Jeanne Tripplehorn as Eleanor Schlafly
On screen: Jeanne Tripplehorn – Emmy nominee and Big Love star.
Real life: Eleanor Schlafly – Phyllis’s sister-in-law, conservative activist, and ally of STOP ERA.
Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan
On screen: Tracey Ullman – actress, singer, and comedian.
Real life: Betty Friedan – author of The Feminine Mystique and co-founder of NOW and the National Women's Political Caucus.
Niecy Nash as Flo Kennedy
On screen: Niecy Nash – The Claws star is also renowned for her appearances in Scream Queens and When They See Us, and for her Emmy-winning turn as host of Clean House
Real life: Flo Kennedy – lawyer, civil rights advocate, and lecturer.
James Marsden as Phil Crane
On screen: James Marsden – X-Men and Westworld star.
Real life: Phil Crane – Republican politician, U.S. congressman, and ally of STOP ERA.
Jay Ellis as Franklin Thomas
On screen: Jay Ellis – Insecure star.
Real life: Franklin Thomas – attorney and businessman, who also served as manager of the American office of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
Bria Henderson as Margaret Sloan-Hunter
On screen: Bria Henderson makes her series acting debut with Mrs. America.
Real life: Margaret Sloan-Hunter – feminist and civil rights advocate, who also served as editor of Ms. magazine.
Adam Brody as Marc Feigen-Fasteau
On screen: Adam Brody – The O.C. star.
Real life: Marc Feigen-Fasteau – Brenda Feigen’s husband Marc, an author, lawyer and activist.
Watch Mrs. America on Mondays at 21:30 from 28 September on M-Net channel 101.
Mrs. America images: Fox
Images of Phyllis Schlafly, Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, Jill Ruckelshaus, Rosemary Thomson, Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, Phil Crane, and Franklin Thomas: Getty Images