FX's historical drama Mrs America debuted on BBC2 with two episodes on Wednesday night (8 July), with viewers complementing the compelling storytelling and impressive acting on Twitter.
Cate Blanchett leads the series as activist and anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly, who forcefully opposed the Equal Rights Amendment movement in the 1970s.
The drama unfolds through the eyes of Phyllis and the second-wave feminists of the era, Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus, with each episode focusing on a different member of the impressive ensemble cast.
Cate is Phyllis, Mad Men's John Slattery plays Phyllis's husband, Fred, The Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks is Jill Ruckelshaus, Rose Byrne stars as Gloria Steinem, Orange is the New Black's Uzo Aduba is Shirley Chisholm, and Tracey Ullman plays Betty Friedan. Niecy Nash and Sarah Paulson also star.
Episode two featured Rose Bryne's feminist icon Gloria Steinem staunchly opposing Schlafly's Stop ERA campaign. Fans were loving the drama, brilliant cast and polished 1970s visual appearance of the show.
One viewer wrote: "Is there anything #CateBlanchett can't do? I mean can anyone make a character both so sympathetic and so hated and monstrous at the same time?"
Another added: "Two episodes into #MrsAmerica and I'm hooked. Great storytelling."
Phyllis Schlafly organised the STOP ERA campaign (Stop Taking Our Privileges) and argued that the ERA would take away gender-specific privileges enjoyed by women, including separate public bathrooms for males and females, and exemption from fighting in wars. She also feared that women would lose legal protection that makes women more likely to be granted custody of their children in divorce.
Schlafly's conservatism was against against abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
All episodes of Mrs America is available to watch on iPlayer now.
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