Quick Info
Mrs. America is a mini-series that dives deep into the surprisingly dramatic battle over the Equal Rights Amendment in 1970s America. At the center is Phyllis Schlafly, played with chilling precision by Cate Blanchett—she turns what could have been a one-note antagonist into a fascinating, often infuriating, and sometimes sympathetic force. The show does a great job of making history feel immediate and complex, thanks in part to a fantastic ensemble—Rose Byrne’s Gloria Steinem and Uzo Aduba’s Shirley Chisholm were personal standouts for me.
What stood out most is how the series resists easy heroes and villains. The writers don’t shy away from showing the flaws and contradictions on both sides of the feminist movement. Visually, it nails the period vibe with costuming and set design, but the real weight comes from the way it lays bare both the unity and rivalry between activists. Sometimes the pacing gets bogged down in “inside baseball” politics, though, which can make parts of it feel slower if you’re not already interested in the topic.
If you like history told through compelling characters rather than dry exposition, or if you want a fresh angle on political drama, I think you’d get a lot out of Mrs. America. It might not grip you if you’re looking for something light, but it’s a surprisingly addictive civics lesson that feels scarily relevant right now.
