A self-described activist housewife from Illinois, "Phyllis Schlafly," portrayed by Cate Blanchett, was a conservative firebrand and virulent anti-communist. She had six children, authored several books, and published a popular newsletter. In 1972, she launched a national campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment. She remained active as a commentator for decades, and the ripple effects of her work can still be felt today.

In 1972, Phyllis Schlafly launched a national campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment. 

Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly

In 1972, Phyllis Schlafly launched a national campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment. She remained active as a commentator for decades, and the ripple effects of her work can still be felt today.

Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu 

"Gloria Steinem," portrayed by Rose Byrne, was the most recognizable leader of the women’s movement. She co-founded Ms. Magazine, was co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, and played a major part in the effort to pass the ERA.

Steinem was the most recognizable leader of the women’s movement.

Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem

Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

“Alice Macray,” played by Sarah Paulson, is Phyllis' best friend who joins Phyllis' efforts to block ERA ratification.

“Alice” is Phyllis' best friend who joins Phyllis' efforts to block ERA ratification.

Sarah Paulson as Alice Macray

Sarah Paulson as Alice Macray | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

A leading figure in the feminist movement, "Bella Abzug," portrayed by Margo Martindale, was a three-term Congresswoman who co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus, and spearheaded the effort to pass the ERA.

Abzug was a three-term Congresswoman who co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus, and spearheaded the effort to pass the ERA.

Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug

Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

"Shirley Chisholm," portrayed by Uzo Aduba, not only made history as the first African American Congresswoman, but also became the first African American candidate to run for President from a national political party when she launched her unprecedented 1972 campaign. She was instrumental in getting the ERA passed in the House in 1971, and was a co-founding member of the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus.

She became the first African American candidate to run for President from a national political party when she launched her unprecedented 1972 campaign. 

Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm became the first African American candidate to run for President from a national political party when she launched her unprecedented 1972 campaign. 

Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

A pro-choice, socially progressive Republican, "Jill Ruckelshaus," portrayed by Elizabeth Banks, was appointed by President Ford to run a presidential commission to advance women’s rights and push for ratification of the ERA. She fought to keep the Republican Party from being taken over by the Religious Right.

She fought to keep the Republican Party from being taken over by the Religious Right.

Elizabeth Banks as Jill Ruckelshaus

Elizabeth Banks as Jill Ruckelshaus | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

Known as the mother of the women’s movement, "Betty Friedan," portrayed by Tracey Ullman, wrote The Feminine Mystique and co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus. She was an active proponent of the ERA.

Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique and co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus.

Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan

Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

Phyllis’ husband "Fred Schlafly," portrayed by John Slattery, was a prominent lawyer, GOP donor and anti-communist activist.

Phyllis’ husband was a prominent lawyer, GOP donor and anti-communist activist.

John Slattery as Fred Schlafly

John Slattery as Fred Schlafly | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

A Harvard-educated lawyer, "Brenda Feigen-Fasteau," portrayed by Ari Graynor, was a young feminist in the women's movement who co-founded Ms. Magazine with Steinem, worked with Ruth Bader Ginsberg at the ACLU, and helped the feminist effort to ratify the ERA.

A young feminist in the women's movement who co-founded Ms. Magazine, and helped the feminist effort to ratify the ERA.

Ari Graynor as Brenda Feigen-Fasteau 

Ari Graynor as Brenda Feigen-Fasteau | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

"Eleanor Schlafly," portrayed by Jeanne Tripplehorn, is Fred's sister, a close confidante of Phyllis, and a devoted aunt to Phyllis' six children.

Fred's sister, a close confidante of Phyllis, and a devoted aunt to Phyllis' six children.

Jeanne Tripplehorn as Eleanor Schlafly

Jeanne Tripplehorn as Eleanor Schlafly | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

"Rosemary Thomson," portrayed by Melanie Lynskey, was a homemaker in Schlafly’s inner circle who eagerly joined her fight against the ERA, becoming President of the Illinois chapter of Stop ERA.

A homemaker in Schlafly’s inner circle who eagerly joined her fight against the ERA, she became President of the Illinois chapter of Stop ERA.

Melanie Lynskey as Rosemary Thomson

Melanie Lynskey as Rosemary Thomson | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

"Pamela," portrayed by Kayli Carter, is a young, impressionable housewife and early member of Phyllis’ anti-ERA movement.

Pamela is a young, impressionable housewife and early member of Phyllis’ anti-ERA movement.

Kayli Carter as Pamela

Kayli Carter as Pamela | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

​Dahvi Waller is an Emmy® and WGA Award-winning TV writer and producer.

Dahvi Waller | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Dahvi Waller | Creator, Exec. Producer, Writer | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Stacey Sher is a two-time Academy Award® nominee who has produced more than two dozen major motion pictures.

Stacey Sher | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Stacey Sher | Executive Producer | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Coco Francini is an accomplished television and film producer.

Coco Francini | Mrs. America FX on Hulu 

Coco Francini | Executive Producer | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

​Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning actress, producer, humanitarian and dedicated member of the arts community

Cate Blanchett | Executive Producer

Cate Blanchett | Executive Producer | Mrs. America

Anna Boden most recently co-wrote and directed Captain Marvel, making Boden the first female director in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Anna Boden | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Anna Boden | Executive Producer, Director | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Ryan Fleck attended NYU film school and most recently co-wrote and directed Captain Marvel.

Ryan Fleck | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Ryan Fleck | Executive Producer, Director | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Micah Schraft has written, produced and directed several television shows including Jane the Virgin (CW), Jessica Jones (Netflix, Peabody Award), and Hung (HBO).

Micah Schraft | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Micah Schraft | Co-Executive Producer, Writer | Mrs. America FX on Hulu

Skotchdopole won a 2015 Best Picture Academy Award® for his work producing Alejandro González Iñárritu’s highly acclaimed Birdman.

Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

Mrs. America

Cate Blanchett

Career Highlights

Rose Byrne
as Gloria Steinem

Sarah Paulson
as Alice Macray

Margo Martindale
as Bella Abzug

Get the inside scoop

Get the latest news and exclusives from FX including show premieres and more.

Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly | Mrs. America | FX on Hulu

Mrs. America

Cate Blanchett

Career Highlights

Sarah Paulsonas Alice Macray

Margo Martindaleas Bella Abzug

Get the inside scoop

Get the latest news and exclusives from FX including show premieres and more.

Sarah Paulson
as Alice Macray

Margo Martindale
as Bella Abzug