Sarah Paulson on how she prepared for her unique role in MrsAmerica, what it’s like to be a queer icon playing a conservative woman, and being a “three-time Cate Blanchett scene partner”
Photo: Sabrina Lantos/FX Mrs. America, FX’s limited series on the fight over the Equal Rights Amendment, is full of famous women playing other famous women, from Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem to Margo Martindale as congresswoman Bella Abzug. But one of its most arresting stars, Sarah Paulson, is no famous figure in the show. Instead, she plays Alice Macray, a composite character and sidekick to the anti-feminist movement’s leader, Phyllis Schlafly, played by Cate Blanchett.
There was a kind of jealousy I felt walking into the makeup trailer, and everybody’s real-life counterpart was plastered up on the trailer walls. I personally always love having a real-life template. When you’re playing a real person, I think there’s enormous freedom in it. Without having a blueprint, you sometimes are not sure how far to push something or how much to restrain yourself.
I know when I was watching the show, I secretly wanted Alice to have a sort of “feminist comeuppance,” as much as that might not be realistic. I really wanted her to switch to the other side. How generous did you want to be to the character? I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you’re kind of a total queer-lady icon. In the “Houston” episode, which takes place at the National Women’s Conference, Alice stands up against a resolution to protect queer women’s rights. Watching that honestly hurt a little. Did you have a difficult time portraying someone with these views?
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