Cate Blanchett is ready for her American TV debut. In 2019, the Australian actress will begin production on a new FX series, Mrs. America, which will follow the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Blanchett, however, will play Phyllis Schlafly—the conservative woman who led the charge against the amendment.
Created by Emmy-winning Mad Men writer-producer Dahvi Waller, the series will run for nine episodes, with production set to begin next year. Blanchett will both star and executive produce. Along with Blanchetts character, the series will explore the era through the eyes of women at the time—including second-wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus, characters who have apparently not yet been cast. Per the press release, “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.”
“I am extremely excited about delving into the material as there couldnt be a more appropriate time to peel back the layers of this recent period of history, which couldnt be more relevant today,” Blanchett said in a statement.
Although several shows that resonate with the #MeToo and Times Up movements have been canceled over the past few years, Mrs. America will emerge alongside a crop of series conceived after Donald Trumps election—shows that examine womens rights through different paradigms, including historical fiction. As CAA agent Sonya Rosenfeld told V.F. TV correspondent Joy Press earlier this month, “I dont think a lot of it has hit the air yet, but I know there are a number of projects in the works that either really dive into it or are utilizing story lines that touch upon the issue.” From the sound of it, Mrs. America will fit precisely that bill—and with Blanchett on board, interest will almost certainly remain high.
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Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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