‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Star Rachel Brosnahan Responds to Criticism of Midge’s Parenting

There are many reasons to be obsessed with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but for some viewers, lead character Midge Maisel’s parenting style isn’t one of them. This week, series star Rachel Brosnahan responded to the criticism over her character’s decisions as a mom, pointing out a glaring double standard in Hollywood.

The conversation started when actor Richard Schiff (The Good Doctor) tweeted that he had just finished season 2 and thought the show was the “best thing on TV and beyond.” One Twitter user replied that while she also enjoyed it, she didn’t like that Midge’s two children seemed to be an “afterthought” as she pursued a stand-up comedy career.

After other viewers chimed in to say they enjoyed watching the show even if they also thought Midge was a “terrible” mom, Brosnahan voiced her opinion on the matter.

“I’m not sure I would go as far as terrible, however she’s certainly not winning ‘parent of the year,'” the actress joked. She then pointed out that her male TV contemporaries did not face the same criticism. “But it also doesn’t change the fact that this was not one of the primary criticisms of Don Draper [Mad Men] or Walter White [Breaking Bad] who were similarly, single-mindedly ambitious.”

Absolutely. I’m not sure I would go as far as terrible, however she’s certainly not winning “parent of the year”. But it also doesn’t change the fact that this was not one of the primary criticisms of Don Draper or Walter White who were similarly, single-mindedly ambitious. https://t.co/a1Q3GXCtyH

— Rachel Brosnahan (@RachelBros) February 10, 2019

“This is a comedy,” Brosnahan added in a separate tweet. “Midge isn’t evil but she’s sometimes blinded by her own privilege and can be self involved when it comes to pursuit of her new dream.” She then concluded that “her life as a mother is not the primary focus of our story.”

Alex Borstein, who plays Midge’s manager Susie on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, responded more bluntly to the criticism. “Being likeable is for tweets,” she wrote. “Women are complex creatures. We got a lot to do in a short amount of time on Earth.”

Being likeable is for tweets. Women are complex creatures. We got a lot to do in a short amount of time on Earth. Now go write your book.🎈 https://t.co/V0QJInzTJd

— Alex Borstein (@AlexBorstein) February 9, 2019

What do you think of the conversation around Midge’s parenting? Let us know @BritandCo!

(photo via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)