Elizabeth Banks Joins Cast of FX’s Limited Series “Mrs. America”

Elizabeth Banks has been cast in FX’s upcoming limited series, Mrs. America. Banks will play Jill Ruckelshaus opposite Cate Blanchett’s Phyllis Schlafly.

Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks

What’s happening:

  • According to Deadline, actress Elizabeth Bank will co-star along with Cate Blanchett in FX’s limited series, Mrs. America. 
  • The series comes from writer Davhi Waller and FX producer, Stacey Sher and will consist of nine episodes.
  • Banks will Jill Ruckelshaus, a pro-choice, socially progressive Republican who was appointed by President Ford to advance women’s rights.
  • Mrs. America is scheduled to being filming later this year.
  • Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Captain Marvel) will direct the first two episodes.

Show 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 (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.”

Mrs. America stars:

  • Uzo Aduba
  • Rose Byrne
  • Kayli Carter
  • Ari Graynor
  • Melanie Lynskey
  • James Marsden
  • Margo Martindale
  • Sarah Paulson
  • John Slattery
  • Jeanne Tripplehorn
  • Tracey Ullman

Creative team includes:

  • Executive producers:
    • Cate Blanchett
    • Stacey Sher
    • Davhi Waller (also serving as showrunner)
    • Coco Francini
    • Anna Boden
    • Ryan Fleck
  • Co-executive producers:
    • Micah Schraft
    • James Skotchdopole

About Elizabeth Banks:

  • Banks is an actress, producer and director who has contributed to such franchises as:
    • Pitch Perfect
    • The Hunger Games
    • Wet Hot American Summer
    • Curb Your Enthusiasm
    • Modern Family
    • 30 Rock
    • The LEGO Movie 
  • Banks will host ABC’s reboot of the classic game show Press Your Luck which premieres on Wednesday, June 12.