Anna Hardwick on the set of MRS. AMERICA

Anna Hardwick (Maddy in “Faes Wide Shut“) is Noreen in Episode 4 of of the nine-episode miniseries MRS. AMERICA, which tells the true story of the efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and the unexpected backlash let by Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett). The series shows the culture wars of the 70s from the perspectives of Schlafly and feminists Steinem, Friedan, Chisolm, Abzug, and Ruckelshaus. On Instagram, Hardwick said: “I will treasure improvising with my comedy hero, the gracious Tracey Ullman as the terrifying Betty Friedan, for the rest of my days.” That makes it at least possible that Hardwick’s character is Noreen Connell, who worked with Friedan on the White House Conference on Families in 1980. Samantha Espie (Pietra in “Let the Dark Times Roll“) appears in the series as Jacqui Davidson (although the last name is spelled without a ‘d’ on the show’s IMDB page), the president and founder of the anti-ERA organization HOW (Happiness of Womanhood). Angela Besharah (Jobina in “Caged Fae“) is also in the cast. Created by Dahvi Waller, MRS AMERICA’s first three episodes will be on HULU on 15 April, with a new episode released each subsequent Wednesday. YouTube has a trailer. Continue reading →