Entertainment
'The Astronaut Wives Club' Cast Brings Real, Incredible Women To TV This Summer
Likely thanks to the success of Mad Men, there have been many TV period pieces set in the 1960s. However, there's something special about ABC's newest summer series, The Astronauts Wives Club: the cast. Well, that's just one of the things that makes the show, based on a book by Lily Koppel, special, but its stars definitely deserve to be celebrated.
The Astronaut Wives Club, which is also based on a true story, follows the wives of the first group of test pilots, known as the "Mercury Seven," who were selected to be launched into space, while their families were launched into the spotlight. These women had to smile for the cameras as they dealt with the unknown that is outer space. Not only did they become instant celebrities, but they were basically forced to become instant friends as well.
This fun and historical premise also has a fun cast of actors and actresses you'll recognize from a variety of places. Check them out to get yourself even more excited for The Astronaut Wives Club.
Image: Bob D’Amico/ABC
Yvonne Strahovski as Rene Carpenter
The former Chuck star and Australian actress plays the wife of Scott Carpenter. She’s easily the most glamorous of the bunch. However, there’s more to Rene than meets the eye — she went to college and according to ABC, uses her new fame as a platform for politics and women’s rights. You’ve also seen Strahovski in 24, Dexter, and the movie I, Frankenstein.
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
Dominique McElligott as Louise Shepard
Alan Shepherd’s wife is played by an actress you’ve seen before in films like Moon , Leap Year, and Not Fade Away . She also appeared in several episodes of Hell on Wheels. On the show, as the first of the women to have her husband launched into outer space, Louise has to keep it cool and stay strong in the public eye.
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
Odette Annable as Trudy Cooper
You can tell by Trudy’s outfit that she’s the outsider of the group — and in the fact that she’s a pilot herself. Not only that, but she and her husband Gordo Cooper were separated prior to the launch, so their reunion is a career-driven move. I think Trudy will have one of the most interesting arcs over the course of the season. You’ve seen the woman portraying this character, Odette Annable, in Cloverfield, The Holiday, October Road, and House M.D . She was also one of the children in Kindergarten Cop!
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
Joanna García Swisher as Betty Grissom
Recently, Swisher made a splash (I couldn’t resist) as Ariel on Once Upon A Time. She also starred in the canceled NBC comedy Animal Practice and played Reba McIntyre’s daughter on the sitcom Reba. On Astronaut Wives Club, Betty is described as earnest if not blunt, and a hard-working girl from a smaller town.
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
Azure Parsons as Annie Glenn
John Glenn’s wife Annie is an involved and busy stay-at-home mom who suffers from a speech impediment. The actress who plays her is known recently for Salem, and guest-starred on both Castle and True Detective .
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Erin Cummings as Marge Slayton
Marge and her husband are both leaders in their respective environments. You’ve seen Cummings before in Spartacus: War of the Damned and thrillers like B**ch Slap and The Iceman.
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Zoe Boyle as Jo Schirra
Jo is described as humorous, but also brings a keen knowledge of military wife etiquette to the table. Boyle is an English actress who played Matthew Crawley’s fiancé Lavinia Swire on Downton Abbey. You may also recognize her from Sons of Anarchy and Freeloaders.
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
Luke Kirby as Max Kaplan
Besides giving me major Mark Ruffalo vibes, Max Kaplan is a writer who records and works with the public appearance of The Astronaut Wives Club on the ground. In real life, Kirby is best known for Take This Waltz, Shattered Glass, Rectify, and the Canadian series Slings & Arrows.
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
The Astronauts
Seated from left to right are Wilson Bethel as Scott Carpenter, Brett Harrison as Gordon Cooper, Sam Reid as John Glenn, and Joel Johnstone as Gus Grissom. Standing are Aaron McCusker as Wally Schirra, Kenneth Mitchell as Deke Slayton, and Desmond Harrington as Alan Shepherd. They may get more attention in the history books, but on The Astronaut Wives Club, it’s their wives’ turn in the spotlight.
Image: Cook Allender/ABC
