Elizabeth Banks has joined the cast of FX’s upcoming nine-episode limited series “Mrs. America,” co-starring opposite Cate Blanchett.
Banks will play Jill Ruckelshaus, who is described as “a pro-choice, socially progressive Republican, Ruckelshaus was appointed by President Ford to advance women’s rights, and fought to keep the Republican Party from being taken over by Phyllis Schlafly and the Religious Right.”
Banks joins previously announced cast members Blanchett, Uzo Aduba, Rose Byrne, Kayli Carter, Ari Graynor, Melanie Lynskey, James Marsden, Margo Martindale, Sarah Paulson, John Slattery, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Tracey Ullman.
Per the network, “Mrs. America” tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), 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 (Banks) – 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.
The series is set to premiere on FX in 2020. It was created and written by Dahvi Waller, who executive produces with Stacey Sher, Coco Francini, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, and Blanchett. Micah Schraft and James Skotchdopole co-executive produce.
Banks is known for film roles in the “Pitch Perfect” and “Hunger Games” franchises, “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Definitely Maybe,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “Catch Me If You Can,” among others. Her television roles include “Modern Family” and “30 Rock,” both of which earned her Emmy nominations.