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Mrs. America (miniseries)

From Alfawiki
Mrs. America
Company typeLimited series
IndustryTelevision production
FoundedOctober 30, 2018; 8 years ago (2018-10-30)
Headquarters
United States
ProductsTelevision series

Mrs. America is a U.S. political drama limited series produced by FX, initially released on the streaming platform FX on Hulu. Developed and co-written by Dahvi Waller, the show is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Amma Asante, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, and Janicza Bravo. It depicts the unsuccessful 1970s political effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment alongside the influential role of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly. The series features a prominent ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Banks, Margo Martindale, John Slattery, Tracey Ullman, and Sarah Paulson.

Consisting of nine episodes, the series debuted in the United States on April 15, 2020, to widespread critical praise. At the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, it received ten nominations, notably for Outstanding Limited Series and writing achievements, with acting nominations for Blanchett, Aduba, Martindale, and Ullman. Aduba secured the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. In January 2021, the American Film Institute recognized Mrs. America as one of the top ten television productions of 2020.

Premise

Mrs. America portrays the campaign aimed at ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment and highlights the surprising conservative resistance spearheaded by activist Phyllis Schlafly. Through central figures of the period—Schlafly alongside second-wave feminists such as Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus—the narrative explores how this ideological clash contributed to the emergence of the Moral Majority and transformed American political dynamics.

Each installment begins with a disclaimer indicating that certain scenes and characters have been fictionalized for storytelling purposes.

Main

  • Cate Blanchett portrays Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative lawyer and activist who established the "STOP ERA" movement (which evolved into the Eagle Forum).
  • Rose Byrne plays Gloria Steinem, a feminist journalist who co-founded both the National Women's Political Caucus and Ms. magazine.
  • Uzo Aduba appears as Shirley Chisholm, an educator and politician; notably the first Black candidate from a major party to run for president and among the earliest women seeking the Democratic nomination.
  • Elizabeth Banks embodies Jill Ruckelshaus, a Republican feminist who helped found the National Organization for Women (NOW) and National Women's Political Caucus, also leading the White House Office of Women's Programs.
  • Kayli Carter portrays Pamela, a fictional composite character representing a young housewife engaged in Schlafly's "STOP ERA" campaign.
  • Ari Graynor acts as Brenda Feigen, a feminist lawyer serving as National Legislative Vice President of NOW.
  • Melanie Lynskey plays Rosemary Thomson, a conservative activist heading Schlafly's Eagle Foundation.
  • Margo Martindale depicts Bella Abzug, congresswoman and feminist leader who co-founded NOW and National Women's Political Caucus, also chairing President Carter’s National Advisory Commission for Women.
  • John Slattery is Fred Schlafly, Phyllis’s husband; a prosperous attorney, conservative advocate, and staunch anti-communist.
  • Jeanne Tripplehorn portrays Eleanor Schlafly, Phyllis’s sister-in-law and fellow conservative supporting "STOP ERA."
  • Tracey Ullman plays Betty Friedan, feminist author of The Feminine Mystique and co-founder of NOW and National Women's Political Caucus.
  • Sarah Paulson embodies Alice Macray, a fictional composite character symbolizing conservative women backing Schlafly’s efforts; she is depicted as a housewife and close friend to Phyllis.

Recurring

  • Niecy Nash portrays Flo Kennedy, an attorney, feminist, and civil rights champion who helped establish the National Women's Political Caucus.
  • Bria Henderson appears as Margaret Sloan-Hunter, a feminist, civil rights advocate, and editor for Ms. magazine.
  • Annie Parisse takes on the role of Midge Costanza, a social and feminist activist who served as a Presidential advisor under President Carter.
  • Anna Douglas plays Jean O'Leary, a feminist and gay rights advocate involved in a secret relationship with Midge.
  • Melissa Joyner embodies Audrey Rowe Colom, a feminist, civil rights activist, and Chairperson of the National Women's Political Caucus.
  • Andrea Navedo acts as Carmen Delgado Votaw, a civil rights activist and co-chair of the National Advisory Committee on Women.
  • Jay Ellis features as Franklin Thomas, a lawyer and businessman romantically connected to Gloria Steinem.
  • David Eisner plays Martin Abzug, husband to Bella.
  • John Bourgeois portrays George McGovern, U.S. senator and the Democratic presidential nominee in 1972.
  • James Marsden appears as Phil Crane, a Republican congressman supporting the "STOP ERA" movement.
  • Cindy Drummond acts as Lottie Beth Hobbs, an Evangelical conservative activist affiliated with "STOP ERA" and Eagle Forum.
  • Teresa Pavlinek plays Ann Patterson, a conservative housewife involved in "STOP ERA."
  • Melinda Page Hamilton portrays Mary Frances, president of Louisiana’s "STOP ERA" chapter and conservative housewife.
  • Ben Rosenfield depicts John Schlafly, the eldest son of Phyllis and Fred Schlafly, who is a closeted gay man.
  • Brendan Cox plays Bruce Schlafly, their second son.
  • Olivia Scriven appears as Phyl 'Liza' Schlafly, their oldest daughter.
    • Lucy Margey portrays young Phyl.
  • Marcia Bennett plays Odile Stewart, mother to Phyllis Schlafly.
  • Novie Edwards acts as Willie B. Reed, the housekeeper for the Schlafly family.

Guest

Development

Mrs. America was developed and co-written by Dahvi Waller, a Canadian Emmy-winning writer recognized for her contributions to Mad Men and Halt and Catch Fire. FX president John Landgraf was captivated by the series due to its fresh perspective on pivotal moments in American history, particularly its depiction of the fight over the Equal Rights Amendment, which he considered especially pertinent to contemporary politics. He commended the series for skillfully blending artistic merit with educational insight without feeling didactic.

During the development phase, Waller realized that progress toward equal rights in the United States over the past five decades had been more limited than anticipated. She described Mrs. America as "an origin story of today’s culture wars," drawing a direct connection between the 1970s political landscape and today’s societal divisions through key figures such as Phyllis Schlafly. Executive producer and lead actress Cate Blanchett reinforced this viewpoint, underscoring the show's ongoing significance amid modern discussions surrounding topics like the ERA.

Waller further highlighted the rise of intersectional feminism through the character of Shirley Chisholm, portrayed by Uzo Aduba, who became the first Black woman to run for U.S. president. She noted that episode three portrays this "messy beginning" alongside other social movements, including LGBTQ rights.

FX commissioned the nine-episode miniseries on October 30, 2018. The writing team comprised Waller, Tanya Barfield, Boo Killebrew, Micah Schraft, April Shih, Sharon Hoffman, and Joshua Allen Griffith. Direction was handled by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Amma Asante, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, and Janicza Bravo. Executive producers included Waller, Stacey Sher, Blanchett, Fleck, Boden, and Coco Francini.

The first promotional images were revealed on August 6, 2019. In November 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on Hulu as part of "FX on Hulu," moving from its original FX platform. The debut date was set for April 15, 2020.

Casting

When the series was greenlit in October 2018, Cate Blanchett was confirmed as the lead. By May 2019, additional cast members were announced including Uzo Aduba, Rose Byrne, Kayli Carter, Ari Graynor, Melanie Lynskey, James Marsden, Margo Martindale, Sarah Paulson, John Slattery, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Tracey Ullman. In June 2019, Elizabeth Banks joined as a co-star with Bria Henderson cast in a recurring role. Recurring parts were later filled by Niecy Nash in August and Olivia Scriven in October.

Filming

Principal photography took place from June 19 through November 1, 2019, in Toronto, Ontario.

Music

The score for Mrs. America was composed by Kris Bowers. Music supervisor Mary Ramos chose "A Fifth of Beethoven" as the opening theme to reflect both perspectives within the story—classical music representing Phyllis Schlafly’s conservative milieu paired with the disco adaptation symbolizing feminist liberation.

Additionally, the soundtrack features iconic tracks from the 1970s by artists such as Donna Summer, Golden Earring, Burt Bacharach, The Kinks, Linda Ronstadt, and The Runaways.

Release

In the United States, the initial three episodes were made available on Hulu under the FX on Hulu brand starting April 15, 2020. The series launched in India on April 16, 2020, through both Hulu and Disney's affiliate Disney+ Hotstar. In Australia, it premiered on April 21, 2020, airing on Foxtel's Fox Showcase channel and was accessible via Foxtel Now and Binge. After Disney completed its acquisition of FX content and existing output agreements with Foxtel ended, the show was withdrawn from Foxtel and Binge platforms and transferred to Disney+, accessible through the Star content section. In the United Kingdom, the series began broadcasting on BBC Two and streaming on BBC iPlayer as of July 8, 2020.

Audience viewership

According to data from Whip Media's TV Time, Mrs. America ranked as the second most eagerly awaited new television series in April 2020. By January 2021, it had become one of the highest-viewed series on FX on Hulu.

Critical response

Mrs. America garnered extensive critical praise. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 96% approval rating from 96 critics, with an average score of 8.29 out of 10. The site's consensus emphasizes its vivid depiction of Phyllis Schlafly, anchored by Cate Blanchett’s outstanding performance. On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average of 87 out of 100 based on 41 reviews, signifying "universal acclaim."

James Poniewozik of The New York Times described the show as "breathtaking" and "a meticulously crafted mural," illuminating the origins of modern America through compelling acting performances, particularly highlighting Blanchett, Tracey Ullman, and Margo Martindale.

Judy Berman from Time praised creator Dahvi Waller for delivering a complex portrayal of recent American history, remarking that the series’ moral and political intricacies distinguish it from other dramatizations centered on women's movements.

Inkoo Kang of The Hollywood Reporter referred to the production as "a masterfully executed balancing act," commending its thoughtful historical accuracy alongside strong performances by the principal cast.

Negative reviews

The series attracted criticism from Gloria Steinem and Eleanor Smeal, who labeled it as absurd and historically misleading. They contended that it reduced the ERA battle to a mere dispute among women while neglecting the crucial role played by lobbyists defending insurance and corporate interests that ultimately blocked the legislation. They argued this portrayal diminishes women's faith in their capacity to drive change. Conversely, Brenda Feigen, a second-wave feminist, lauded the show as "extraordinary," appreciating its layered characterizations. Additionally, accusations arose claiming bias and dramatization intended to depict Schlafly unfavorably; Schlafly’s daughter Anne Cori also criticized the series for inaccurately representing their family.

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2020 Black Reel Television Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series Uzo Aduba Template:Nom
Outstanding Writing, TV Movie/Limited Series Tanya Barfield (for "Shirley") Template:Nom
Dorian TV Awards Best TV Movie or Limited Series Mrs. America Template:Nom
Best TV Performance - Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Wilde Wit Award Template:Nom
Best Supporting TV Performance - Actress Uzo Aduba Template:Nom
Gold Derby TV Awards Limited Series Mrs. America Template:Nom
Limited/Movie Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Limited/Movie Supporting Actress Rose Byrne Template:Nom
Sarah Paulson Template:Nom
Ensemble Of The Year Cast of Mrs. America Template:Nom
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards Best New Streaming Series (Drama) Mrs. America Template:Won
72nd Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Limited Series Dahvi Waller, Stacey Sher, Coco Francini, Cate Blanchett, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Micah Schraft, James W. Skotchdopole, Tanya Barfield and Boo Killebrew Template:Nom
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Uzo Aduba (for "Shirley") Template:Won
Margo Martindale (for "Bella") Template:Nom
Tracey Ullman (for "Betty") Template:Nom
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie Tanya Barfield (for "Shirley") Template:Nom
72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series or Movie Carmen Cuba and Robin Cook Template:Nom
Outstanding Period Costumes Bina Daigeler, Erin Byrne, Bettina Seifert, Erika Larner, Mila Hermanovski and Eileen Kennedy (for "Shirley") Template:Nom
Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) Kris Bowers (for "Reagan") Template:Nom
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Limited Series or Movie Robert Komatsu (for "Phyllis") Template:Nom
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