“Orange Is the New Black” actress Uzo Aduba will be playing Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to serve in Congress and the first black woman to run for a presidential nomination, which she did in 1972 as a Democrat.
Chisholm passed away on New Year’s Day 2005 in Ormond Beach, Fla. at the age of 80.
The nine-episode series, titled “Mrs. America,” will air on FX and center around Chisholm and other people’s efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The series is scheduled to air sometime in 2020.
Aduba confirmed the news Tuesday on Instagram and expressed her eagerness to portray Chisholm and help tell the story of the ERA fight. “Telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” she wrote. “Excited to share.”
Rose Byrne, of the film “Bridesmaids,” will play the role of activist and feminist Gloria Steinem. Cate Blanchett, meanwhile, will portray Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative woman who led an intense backlash against the ERA being ratified.
After Aduba posted the news of her role to Instagram, people expressed how happy they were for her, and how excited they are to see the series. People also said they love the cast that was assembled.
“Gurllllll. This Is Exciting,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“This is the best best best BEST!!! I cannot wait!!! Congratulations my friend!!! 👏🏾😍🙌🏾,” another person commented.
“Congrats! Cant wait for this show its already looking amazing!”
Joining Aduba in “Mrs. America,” include Sarah Paulson, Kayli Carter, Melanie Lynskey, Margo Martindale, John Slattery, James Marsden, Tracey Ullman and Jeanne Tripplehorn.
In November 2015, Barack Obama awarded Chisholm with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and said she was “Driven by a profound commitment to justice.”
