Kiwi star Melanie Lynskey joins Cate Blanchett in TV drama Mrs America

Melanie Lynskey is joining Cate Blanchett in Mrs America. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey has joined the cast of FX's Mrs America, led by Australian acting royalty Cate Blanchett.

The series is set to follow the movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1972, which was opposed by outspoken conservative Phyllis Schlafly, played by Blanchett.

Cate Blanchett will play Phyllis Schlafly in the series. Photo / Getty Images

According to Variety, Lynskey is one of 11 renowned actresses and actors who have joined the all-star cast of the series, which is expected to launch in 2020.

Lynskey will play Rosemary Thomson, a homemaker close to Schlafly who joined her fight to oppose the ERA.

Also joining the series is Orange is the New Black star Uzo Aduba, who will play Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman, and the first African American candidate to run for President from a national political party.

Australian star Rose Byrne will play Gloria Steinem, who played a major part in the effort to pass the ERA, while James Marsden will play Phil Crane, a conservative congressman and ally to Schlafly.

From left: Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, James Marsden and Margo Martindale have also been cast in Mrs America. Photos / Getty Images

Ocean's 8 star Sarah Paulson will star as Alice, a fictionalised character who is a best friend to Schlafly, while Margo Martindale will play Bella Abzug, a three-term Congresswoman and leading feminist figure.