While everyone like to focus their attention on the success of the subscription TV channels (Starz, HBO, Showtime), it somehow feels like FX gets left in the lurch. That seems ridiculous given the success of shows like The Americans, Atlanta, Legion, It’s Always Sunny, Justified. The list keeps going. Fargo, Archer, S.O.A. Ok, you get it. It’s not forgotten, per se, merely just gets brought up later in the conversation. And then it goes and casts someone like Cate Blanchett in a limited series. Out of all the names who have graced the network recently, this may be their biggest get.
Earlier today Deadline broke the news that FX had put forward a 9 episode order for a series called Mrs. America. The show will see Blanchett tackling the lead role of Phyllis, which was created and will be overseen by Davhi Waller (Desperate Housewives). Here’s the synopsis:
“Mrs. America tells the true story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly, played by Blanchett. Through the eyes of the women of that era — both Schlafly and second-wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus — 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.”
That’s where the Blanchett casting comes into play. If you’re going to tell a story from history as big and important as this, you need a commanding lead to help steer the ship. Her commitment to the project goes even deeper. The Oscar winner will executive produce the limited series alongside Oscar nominated producer Stacey Sher (Erin Brockovich). At the same time, kudos to FX for giving Mrs. America a go. The accolades they’ve racked up allows them to try a one off like this. You’d also have to imagine it also helps in the way of creative freedom. Without the focus placed on longevity or drumming up viewership with cliffhangers, it can focus on the story it wants to tell.
As of now, production’s set to start early 2019. Seeing as how there’s a couple of rather historically big names listed in the synopsis, this casting may just be the tip of the ice berg. Are you excited to see Cate Blanchett making her way to the small screen? Does Mrs. America seem up your alley? Who would you like to see take on the roll of Gloria Steinem? Let us know in the comments below. Keep an eye peeled on future news as it becomes available.
