MRS AMERICA

Wednesday July 8, BBC2

Phyllis Schlafly was an ultraconservative campaigner who devoted her career to making life more unpleasant for people; an American combination of Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse. This series dramatises her campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment, which brought her into conflict with the Women’s Liberation Movement. Written by Mad Men alumnus Dahvi Waller, it’s a sharp, kinetic ’70s period piece anchored by a typically fine performance from Cate Blanchett. It doesn’t portray Schlafly as a one-dimensional monster, but nor does it make excuses for her. Terrible person, interesting story.