The incredibly talentedRachel Brosnahanis currently taking on the iconic role of Lois Lane in the newSupermanfilm, andreviews have saidshe “makes this role entirely her own.” Adding to her exciting and busy schedule is the fact that she’s also been cast in the highly-anticipatedSeason 2 of Apple TV+’s dramaPresumed Innocent. It makes sense that Brosnahan’s career is taking off after starring in projects such asManhattanand Netflix’sHouse of Cards(for which she landedher first Emmy nominationin 2015). However, there’s one performance that truly put Brosnahan on the map and proved that she’s one of the best actors working:The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Prime Video’s ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Follows a Female Comic in the 1950s
In 2017,The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselpremiered on Prime Video. The colorful dramedy with a90% on Rotten Tomatoeswas created byAmy Sherman-Palladino(who is also responsible for popular shows such asGilmore Girls,Bunheads, and thecancelled-too-soonÉtoile). The series tells the story of a 1950’s housewife named Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Brosnahan), who’s living in New York City with her husband, Joel (Michael Zegen), and their two small children. Her parents, Rose (Marin Hinkle) and Abe Weissman (Tony Shalhoub), live in the same apartment building, where they’re free to nag Midge. Midge’s life soon gets turned upside down when Joel announces out of the blue that he’s leaving her.
This wasn’t a time when divorce was super common or acceptable, so Midge’s world seemed to be imploding. Midge somehow finds herself — drunk and in her nightgown — onstage at The Gaslight Café, with a microphone in her hand. She starts venting about her disaster of a life when she discovers that she’s actually got the audience in the palm of her hand. Before Midge knows it, she’s been bitten by the stand-up comedy bug. Unfortunately, she does get arrested for indecent exposure that same night, but Midge now finds herself on a new, uncharted path.
The 10 Best Episodes of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ Ranked According to IMDb
“The world is full of disappointments, and sometimes people let you down. you may’t just run away.”
Midge quickly makes her first fan in fellow comic,Lenny Bruce(played byLuke Kirbyandinspired by the real-life comedian), and lands herself an irascible manager named Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein). Susie is somehow able to see the star burning bright with potential that Midge appears to be (even when no one else wants to book a female comic). Susie respects how Midge gets to the heart of important issues in her act (which is key to a successful stand-up comic), and how she can play up her self-deprecating humor with jokes that make her relatable and also brutally honest.
Susie and Midge form a tight bond (although they spend most of their friendship bickering), and they set out to make Midge a star. Of course, in this time period, there were very few female comics, and they faced a steep uphill battle in getting Midge the spotlight she deserves. For every break she receives, there are just as many humiliating defeats. But Midge never gives up, and it’s this unstoppable passion that makes everyepisode ofThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselso entertaining.
Rachel Brosnahan Brings the Fast-Talking Mrs. Maisel To Life Brilliantly
Midge is a fast-talking funny girl (with the absolute best taste in clothes), and few actorscould pull off this comedic rhythm as successfully as Brosnahan does. The actor ensures that she never misses a beat, whether she’s throwing back barbs at Susie or nailing her act in the comedy clubs. Brosnahan also infuses so much heart into her performance, making it easy to want Midge to succeed almost as she does. It’s true that Midge is giving up her life as a housewife at a time when most women didn’t work outside the home, and there are occasions when it’s clear that Midge is a tadneglectful towards her children, but Brosnahan also makes it evident that Midge simply wants a more fulfilling life.
She’s willing to chase her dreams during a time when even acknowledging that women had goals was outside the norm. The actor perfectly lands the balance between quippy sarcasm and the deep yearning that Midge feels to obtain success.Brosnahan was praisedfor pulling off Sherman-Palladino’s “fast-paced, chatter-filled dialogue with often hilarious aplomb.” Brosnahan was rewarded for her ability to play Midge withfive Emmy nominations and a winfor Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2018.
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Boasts an Incredible Supporting Cast and Many Emmys
One of the reasons that Brosnahan is able to shine so brightly in this role is becauseThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselalso has such an impressive supporting cast. Without Susie, there would be no Midge, and it’s easy to see whyBorstein won two consecutive Emmysfor Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2018 and 2019. Midge and Susie’s opposites-attract friendship is simplyone of the best ever portrayed on television. Hinkle and Shalhoub are also perfectly cast as Midge’s parents (withShalhoub taking home an Emmyfor his portrayal of the grumpy Abe in 2019).
Kirby won an Emmy in 2019as well, but he’s far from the only guest actor who knocked it out of the park during the show’s run.Jane Lynchisa stand-out as Sophie Lennon, a fellow comedienne who uses a fat suit and a gimmicky persona to win over audiences.Sterling K. Brown,Stephanie Hsu, Jason Alexander, andWanda Sykesalso all play meaningful roles in Midge’s world. Plus,Sherman-Palladino recruited many actorsfrom her previous shows to make appearances, includingKelly Bishop, Liza Weil, andMilo Ventimiglia.Along with the colorful cinematography and costumes, New York City as a secondary character, and the historically accurate sets,The Marvelous Mrs. Maiseloffers fun and escapism from start to finish.
The series ran for five seasons, and thankfully, Sherman-Palladino was able to end on her own terms.Midge’s story comes to a satisfying end(as do all of the other characters’ stories as well) in the final episode.The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselwon an astounding 22 Emmys(with 80 nominations!), including one for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2018. But one of its biggest contributions is that it was the perfect showcase for Brosnahan’s whipsmart comedic timing and her ability to portray both funny and dramatic storylines. We’ll likely see many more great things from this actor going forward, but she’ll forever be remembered for this heartfelt, tour de force performance.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
After her husband leaves her, young mother of two Miriam “Midge” Maisel discovers that she has a talent for stand-up comedy. Could this be her calling?
