Uzo Aduba Cast As First Black Woman To Run For US President In Upcoming Series

Nigerian-American actress, Uzo Aduba, mostly known for her breakout role in Netflix’s acclaimed comedy, Orange Is The New Black, is finally set to return to the small screen.

The Emmy-winning actress has been cast to play one of the most important women in the history of America, Shirley Chisholm — the first black woman elected to the United States Congress — in an upcoming limited series, Mrs. America.

(Source: GIPHY)

Shirley Chisholm not only made history as America’s first black congresswoman but, in 1972, she also became the first black woman to run for president. In an Instagram post, Aduba excitedly shared the news with the caption:

“Telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Excited to share.”

Set in the ’70s, Mrs. America will tell the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly (played by Oscar-winning actress, Cate Blanchett).

Helmed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who recently co-wrote and directed the record-breaking Captain Marvel, Mrs. America will premiere as a nine-episode series, and while there’s no announced premiere date, we’re definitely hyped.