FX has given nine-episode order to Mrs. America, a feminism focused limited series, that stars Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Cate Blanchett; this will be Mrs.Blanchett’s first foray into American television.
The series was conceived by Emmy winner and writer Davhi Waller (Mad Men) and Academy Award nominated producer Stacey Sher (Django Unchained, Erin Brockovich) and will involve collaboration with FX Productions’ creative team. Blanchett herself, will also executive produce Mrs. America with Sher.
Blanchett will be cast as the Equal Rights Amendment’s opponent Phyllis Schlafly in the series, as it follows the true story of the Equal Rights movement and its subsequent dismissal. Other historical figures of similarly infamous women might be additionally cast for the series as well (Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus).
“I feel privileged to have this opportunity to collaborate with Dahvi, Stacey and Coco under the robust and fearless FX umbrella,” said Blanchett. “I am extremely excited about delving into the material as there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to peel back the layers of this recent period of history, which couldn’t be more relevant today.”
The real-life Schlafly was an American constitutional lawyer with conservative political leanings. She was known for her staunchly stubborn social and political views in regards to the antifeminist and abortion agenda. She was successful in her political campaign against ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
This is the second limited series FX has greenlighted with award-winning talent, following the Bob Fosse/Gwen Verdon limited series order that has plans to star big screen talents, Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell.
FX’s CEO John Landgraf has been reported saying, “”We have no doubt that Cate is the perfect actor to play the role of Phyllis Schlafly, who was one of the most polarizing and fascinatingly complex figures of the ’70s for her opposition to and role in defeating the Equal Rights Amendment, which to this day has never been ratified. Dahvi Waller’s scripts are extraordinary, and I’m thrilled to reunite with my former Jersey TV partner Stacey Sher, and commend her on assembling such a dynamic foursome of gifted, female, artist-producers to take on this timely story.”