'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel': Rachel Brosnahan's parents called her acting a 'hobby'
For her remarkable and witty portrayal of Miriam "Midge" Maisel on 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', Rachel Brosnahan was awarded for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series. In addition, she also won a SAG Award for outstanding female actor in a comedy series, two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy for her role in the series.
Having said that, her parents didn't stop referring to acting as her "hobby" up until she won her first Globe Award in 2018. Brosnahan told Variety, "I had a ‘thing,’ and I could be like, [pretends to put a statue on the table] ‘It’s not a hobby anymore. They get it now, now that I’m not waitressing at the same time anymore, not a nanny and also trying to be an actor. I think we’re in the clear".
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If you're an ardent fan of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', chances are you're pretty much up to speed with the plot. It's pretty ironic how both Brosnahan and Midge are similar in this context. While the latter's family didn't support her comedic career, the former's used to call hers a hobby. It just goes to show how great of an effort it takes to make it big in the entertainment industry.
The third season of the show throws light on Midge’s rising popularity as a stand-up comic; the struggle of balancing both her personal and an unconventional professional one is quite relatable to us viewers on various levels. The actress has also indirectly been “mom-shamed” for her role of playing Midge. Midge has been accused of neglecting her family and her audience weren't happy with the jokes that would occasionally be delivered at the expense of her two children.
Brosnahan says, “I’m sure, like most parents, they are unintentionally f***ing up their children in many, many ways, but the idea that they’re abusive or neglectful parents — those kinds of words being thrown around about these particular children feels problematic to me". In addition, Rachel adds that the very same sexism directed towards the women of Maisel’s era, and on the show, is not something uncommon to women today either.
“The show is a comedy. There’s a certain level of fantasy, but it’s rooted in a reality that a lot of women are still facing today: your agency and autonomy not being taken seriously,” Rachel says. “Women are still being told that we’re not funny, which is crazy".
Thanks to the motivational comedy series, lots of women are stepping up to show who they really are, all thanks to Midge: Brosnahan says she even meets fans who are trying to get a leg up on stand-up comedy. Ironically Brosnahan herself has been too scared to do so in real life! Even still, Brosnahan is ecstatic that her fans are stepping out of their comfort zones, irrespective of what others might say. She says,“I love that. I’m scared for them, but I love that".
Season 4 of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' premieres on February 18, 2022, on Amazon Prime.
