'Physical' Apple Series Star Rose Byrne Covers Marie Claire Australia by Nicole Bentley

“She’s elegance incarnate with impeccable comedic timing,” writes Marie Claire Australia about July cover star Rose Byrne. The actor talks to Rachel Sharp about family, feminism and her new role as a captivating but flawed ‘80s guru in her new Apple TV series ‘Physical’.

Byrne is styled by Naomi Smith in images by Nicole Bentley./ Hair by Koh; makeup by Kellie Stratton

Building on her role as iconic feminist Gloria Steinem in ‘Mrs. America’, the true story of how conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly (played by Cate Blanchett) derailed the Equal Rights Amendment, Byrne now plays ‘80s California exercise and lifestyle guru Sheila Rubin.

Byrne’s interview pov is that she wants us to rethink what feminism means. Speaking to her role in Mrs. America, the actor reflects: “I thought I knew about feminist history before that,” she says. “I’d read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan and The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, so I thought I knew. And then I realised I know nothing.”

Mom to Rocco, 5, and Rafa, 3, with partner Bobby Cannavale, Byrne says that she teaches concepts around gender equality to her sons. Acknowledging her own commitment to being a working parent, Byrne is quick to assure readers that she has total respect to mothers who stay home.

Frankly — says Anne — there has never been the haughty remarks among feminists about stay-at-home mothers that are attributed to us. It a bunch of whooey in conservative circles for the last 50 years and even before that. Yet, women who embrace feminism are called upon daily to make this disclaimer. That’s when you understand just how deeply conservatives have feminists in their iron grip.

Rose Byrne has long committed to championing female-led stories, chiefly through Dollhouse, co-founded in 2015 by Byrne, “her childhood best friend, actor Krew Boylan, producer Jessica Carrera and directors Shannon Murphy and Gracie Otto.”

Her new series ‘Physical’, created by Annie Weisman, continues this work. “Shows like Physical probably wouldn’t have been made five years ago,” concedes Byrne. “Stories about women are finally ready to be told and seen through a real female lens.”