Rose Byrne is part of a powerhouse ensemble in Hulu’s Mrs. America, earning critical acclaim with a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating for her portrayal of Gloria Steinem. The nine-part miniseries, created by Mad Men writer Dahvi Waller, dives deep into the 1970s battle over the Equal Rights Amendment, highlighting both feminist leaders and the conservative forces determined to stop them. The series provides thoughtful historical context and outstanding performances. Over nine episodes, the miniseries explores the nuances of women’s exercise of power, politics, and irreconcilable divisions among women across different camps during a significant decade.
Rose Byrne Shone Alongside Cate Blanchett in ‘Mrs. America’
At the center of the series is Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly, the conservative activist who transformed opposition to the ERA into a political career. Phyllis initially sets out to advocate her belief in the importance of foreign policy. Still, as she begins targeting feminist leaders, she finds that her power only grows after she has made disagreements with them public. Blanchett displays icy control and cunning ambition in her role, embodying a woman who knows precisely how to navigate the male-dominated world. The series may not ask you to identify with Schlafly, but it does provide the context of her rise to the pinnacle of power and illustrates her role in shaping our culture war today.
In stark contrast to Schlafly, Gloria Steinem is portrayed by Byrne as a classy, thoughtful, and charismatic leader to the feminist cast. The Steinem, portrayed by Byrne, is thoughtful about the movement and savvy in identifying blind spots related to race, class, and sexuality as they pertain to feminism. Byrne conveys Steinem’s strategic intelligence and recognition of the movement’s blind spots, spanning race, class, and sexual preference, establishing her as the lens through which viewers understand the complexities of this era. Uzo Aduba is an electric presence as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president in 1972, representing all the tension between race and gender in Chisholm’s candidacy. Margo Martindale‘s Bella Abzug and Tracey Ullman‘s Betty Friedan enrich the conflicts with nuanced discussions of internal gender feminism and the perspectives often left out of the debate, such as those of Flo Kennedy, portrayed by Niecy Nash, and Margaret Sloan-Hunter, portrayed by Bria Henderson. The star-studded cast also includes Elizabeth Banks, Kayli Carter, Ari Graynor, Melanie Lynskey, John Slattery, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Sarah Paulson.
Why ‘Mrs. America’ Deserves Another Look
Mrs. America can capture the activism, battles, and aspirations of feminism and/or conservatism in the 1970s by examining who has benefited from a lack of opportunity, aspiration, or ideology in the personal dramas, as well as the political actions of a larger movement. It also shows how their differences sometimes stopped them from making progress.
The show’s visual representation perfectly captures the essence of the decade, featuring realistic costumes, sets, and a soundtrack that complements the energy of the time perfectly. The editing skillfully alternates intimate character moments with encompassing political strategy, and historical mentions (like a cameo of a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg) seem earned, rather than forced.
With its significant performances and thoughtful stories rich in historical nuance, Mrs. America remains an intriguing watch for anyone interested in gender, politics, and history, now available to stream. The miniseries on Hulu reminds us that the narrative surrounding women’s rights is not as straightforward as it may seem; however, it serves as a reminder that courage, cleverness, and conflict have historically driven action in each of us.
