3 Things to Know About FX on Hulu’s ‘Mrs. America’

Cate Blanchett Mrs America Preview
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Sabrina Lantos/FX

History class is in session! FX on Hulu schools us with this rollicking series about the 1960s and ’70s clash between the women’s lib movement and Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett), a conservative who fought against the Equal Rights Amendment.

Here’s a Mrs. America primer…

Schlafly wasn’t originally antifeminist

Blanchett says the activist’s “primary focus” was defense, but her goals shifted after realizing equal rights meant women could be drafted: “She [thought] it would dilute the military of its strength.”

No one comes off as a saint

“What struck me about all the women from this period was how messy they were,” says executive producer Dahvi Waller, who gathered an A-list cast to play real-life figures, including Rose Byrne as feminist Gloria Steinem. “They’re complex, they’re contradictory.”

Rose Byrne Mrs America Gloria Steinem

(Sabrina Lantos/FX)

Love her or hate her, Schlafly was a force

“I was gobsmacked by her ability to inspire, galvanize, and mobilize people through various different tactics some would call dubious; some might celebrate them,” admits Blanchett. “She was a true alpha…much like myself.”

Mrs. America, Series Premiere, Wednesday, April 15, FX on Hulu