*Content warnings: References to miscarriage and abortion, sexual assault and harassment, racism, homophobia, misogyny, death threats*

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Mrs America is a BBC drama based on true events surrounding the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a law banning discrimination on the basis of gender in the USA. 

Each episode focuses on a real life historical figure involved in the struggle for gender equality, brought to life by a star-studded cast. These include feminist icons such as Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) and Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba) and, on the other side, the anti-feminist Phyllis Schlaffley (Cate Blanchett) who opposed the ERA. 

THE FEMINIST HISTORY WE NEEDED

Mrs America is an uncompromisingly honest history of the early feminist movement. Its writers are not afraid to uncover problems lurking beneath the surface of sisterhood, including bitter rivalries and systemic racism. 

The failure of the movement to embrace intersectionality and acknowledge the unique struggles of women of colour and lesbian and bisexual women is laid bare. One scene is painfully poignant; Margaret Sloan-Hunter (Bria Henderson), a black editor for Ms magazine, has her racial experiences minimised and her article on tokenism is even dismissed by the editorial board.

At the same time, the oft-marginalised contribution of WOC and LGBT women to feminist goals is put in the spotlight. One episode focuses on Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba), the first black woman elected to congress, and another on the successful lawyer and bisexual woman Brenda Feigen Fasteau (Ari Graynor).

TRAUMAS OF OPPRESSION 

This series is excellent at illustrating how the traumas of oppression can infiltrate women’s lives in varying and nuanced ways. From microaggressions and sexual harassment in the workplace to underground abortion, the depiction of these individual characters’ reactions to these incidents led to some emotive and powerful scenes.

I also appreciated how the series touched on the damage that toxic masculinity causes to men as well as women, notably through the homophobia endured by one of the male characters.

It’s unsettling to see how little has changed in our supposedly ‘progressive’ twenty-first-century society - watching a group of women’s allegations of sexual assault be steadfastly ignored is, sadly, not a great shock to the modern viewer.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE

Mrs America is not all dark and depressing though! The sharp and often witty dialogue prevents episodes ever feeling too heavy. I definitely wouldn’t describe the series as plot-driven, but the fascinating personalities portrayed allow for plenty of intrigue. 

It’s especially impressive how Cate Blanchett makes the reader feel sympathy for anti-feminist Phyllis Schlaffley - repressed, in denial and desperate to feel that her life isn’t being invalidated. 

Her opponents, instead of being held up as feminist icons, are also depicted as relatable people with complicated, messy lives. These vibrant and deeply human characters are what make the drama stand out.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION

Mrs America is a character-centric drama that should be on the watch list of anyone interested in history, feminism and finding some seriously empowering women role models!

WHERE TO WATCH

All nine episodes of Mrs America are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

Looking for more great series to watch on iPlayer? Take a look at Gabrielle Cherpin’s article on A Suitable Boy.

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Written by Florence Edwards