Mrs America – cast, time, and is Cate Blanchett’s character based on a real person?

Mrs America – cast, time, and is Cate Blanchett’s character based on a real person?

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Feminism takes centre stage in the US drama Mrs America, offering a nostalgia trip and a history lesson to viewers when it debuts on BBC Two on Wednesday night.

The nine-part drama takes us back to the 1970s and the political movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the US – with several big names bringing prominent women from the era to life on the small screen.

The cast’s led by Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, but who else stars, and what time should you tune in?

Here’s what you need to know…

What time is Mrs America on BBC Two tonight?

Mrs America kicks off on BBC Two at 9pm.

The series kicks off with a double bill of episodes, with the second following at 9.45pm.

If you miss any instalments you’ll be able to catch up with them on BBC iPlayer.

Who is in the cast of Mrs America?

As well as Blanchett, there are some pretty big names filling out the cast of this one.

Australian actress Rose Byrne stars as feminist and activist Gloria Steinem, while Orange Is The New Black’s Uzo Aduba plays politician Shirley Chisholm, who was the first black woman ever to be elected to the United States Congress.

Meanwhile Elizabeth Banks stars as another famous activist of the era, former White House special assistant Jill Ruckelshaus.

Other cast members we’ll be seeing in coming episodes include Melanie Lynskey, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Sarah Paulson and Tracey Ullman.

Is Cate Blanchett’s character based on a real person?

All of the main characters are or were real people – and Cate’s character Phyllis Schlafly is no exception.

Phyllis, a movement conservative and author, was opposed to feminism and abortion, and campaigned against the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution – which was ultimately narrowly defeated in the wake of her campaign.

Her opposition to the amendment came in the form of the STOP ERA campaign, with Schlafly arguing that the amendment would see an end to gender-specific privileges for women such as separate male and female restrooms, as well as women being exempt from the military draft.

Schlafly also founded conservative political interest group the Eagle Forum, remaining as its chair and CEO until her death in 2016.


MORE : Stateless Review: Handmaid’s Tale’s Yvonne Strahovski excels in Cate Blanchett’s tale of Australian immigration

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