Cate Blanchett Will Play Right-Wing Conservative in American TV Debut

Cate Blanchett is getting ready to make her American TV debut. But the gay icon is taking a slightly more villainous role than we'd expect.

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Blanchett will star in Mrs. America as Phyllis Schlafly, a notorious anti-feminist conservative. The FX show will explore the era of second-wave feminism through the eyes of Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus. It centers around the movement behind the Equal Rights Amendment, which Schlafly fought against.

"I am extremely excited about delving into the material as there couldn't be a more appropriate time to peel back the layers of this recent period of history, which couldn't be more relevant today," Blanchett said in a statement.

Created by Emmy-winning Mad Men writer/producer Dahvi Waller, the series begins production in 2019, and it will run for nine episodes. Blanchett will also serve as executive producer.