Elizabeth Banks Joins Cate Blanchett’s FX Series ‘Mrs. America’

Elizabeth Banks has joined the cast of the upcoming FX limited series ‘Mrs. America.’ The ‘Charlie’s Angels‘ actress will be seen along with Cate Blanchett in the nine-episode project. The plot follows the historic Equal Right Amendment (ERA) movement and the counter-campaign led by the conservative woman Phyllis Schlafly (played by Cate Blanchett), reports Variety. Banks plays the progressive republican Jill Ruckelshaus, who was assigned by President Gerald Ford to defend Schlafly and the religious Right Wing’s advances to take over the Party.

‘Mrs. America’ also features an ensemble cast that includes Uzo Aduba, Rose Byrne, Kayli Carter, Ari Graynor, Melanie Lynskey, James Marsden, Margo Martindale, Sarah Paulson, John Slattery, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Tracey Ullman. Set in the backdrop of the turbulent ’70s, the series chronicles the fierce battle of ideas and the clash of two cultural fronts in connection with the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was proposed by the National Women’s Party in 1923.

The issues started burning again in the late ’60s and early ’70s when feminists raised their voice for the ratification of the amendment as it is the only possible solution to end all gender-based discrimination in the United States. National Organization of Women (NOW) and other women organizations started widespread campaigns for ERA in 1970. As a result of the campaigns and a favorable public opinion, thirty states ratified the amendment within three years. But the wind turned against the campaigners when the other side started Stop-ERA Campaign across the country in the leadership of Phyllis Schlafly. The protesters argued that the ratification of ERA would lead to the disintegration of American society.

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, known for ‘Captain Marvel,’ direct the first two episodes of the series. Emmy-winning writer Dahvi Waller, who is known for ‘Mad Men,’ writes the script, executive produces and serves as showrunner in ‘Mrs. America.’ Stacey Sher also joins the project as executive producer along with Blanchett, Coco Francini, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Micah Schraft, and James Skotchdopole.

Banks is the three-time Emmy-nominated actress, producer and director who is known for her character of Gail Abernathy-McKadden in the ‘Pitch Perfect‘ franchise, the ‘Hunger Games‘ franchise, ‘Wet Hot American Summer,’ ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ ‘Modern Family,’ and ’30 Rock.’ Her upcoming projects include the long-awaited ‘Charlie’s Angels‘ reboot. Apart from playing the key role of a Bosley, Banks also produces, directs and wrote the espionage thriller. Based on the television series of the same name, the reboot is tagged as a standalone sequel to the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ franchise. Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska, and Noah Centineo also play major roles in the movie. ‘Charlie’s Angels’ hits theaters on November 15, 2019.

Cover Image Courtesy:  Saeed Adyani/Netflix (Wet Hot American Summer)

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