10 Fascinating Insights Into The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Miriam “Midge” Maisel seemingly has everything: charm, intelligence, a picture-perfect home, and a name that rolls off the tongue. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when her husband betrays her and abandons her, igniting her passion for stand-up comedy. On stage, she discovers both success and her true self, much like how The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has captivated audiences worldwide.

Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the genius behind Gilmore Girls, this sparkling comedy features Rachel Brosnahan and masterfully blends sharp humor with a retro aesthetic to explore contemporary gender dynamics. Dive into 10 intriguing facts about the Emmy-winning Amazon Studios series, which recently launched its second season.

1. A NOD TO ROSEMARY’S BABY WITH A SPECIAL HERB.

In one of the initial episodes, a fortune teller gifts Midge’s mother, Rose (Marin Hinkle), a charm containing tannis root—a fictional herb. This herb was originally created for Roman Polanski’s chilling film Rosemary’s Baby, a story centered around a New York City apartment complex teeming with Satanists, far removed from comedic themes.

2. EARLY MARKETING CAMPAIGNS SPARKED RELIGIOUS CONFUSION.

Initial Amazon promos for the series portrayed Midge’s residence as “an elegant Upper East Side apartment ideal for hosting Yom Kippur dinner.” This likely puzzled Jewish viewers, as Yom Kippur is a fasting holiday. Although the show’s pilot correctly references the “Break-the-Fast” meal, the promotional material missed the mark.

3. THE CREATOR’S FATHER WAS A 1950S COMEDIAN.

The pilot episode is set in 1958, a period that demanded extensive research. However, Sherman-Palladino had a personal connection to the era through her father, Don Sherman, a stand-up comedian who began his career in Greenwich Village’s comedy scene. “I grew up surrounded by stand-up comedians in my home,” Sherman-Palladino shared with Variety. “They either performed frequently or spent their downtime together, enjoying deli food and sharing laughs. It often felt like Broadway Danny Rose at my house.” She even honored her father by dedicating an episode to him.

4. RACHEL BROSNAHAN WAS OFTEN TOLD SHE LACKED COMEDIC TALENT.

Before landing the role of Midge, Rachel Brosnahan was primarily known for portraying intense, dramatic characters (e.g., House of Cards). Her roles often involved tragic storylines, and she frequently missed out on opportunities because casting directors doubted her comedic abilities. “It happened so often that it became a trend,” Brosnahan explained to Glamour. “I started to wonder if I should take the feedback seriously. Now, I understand that growth is possible even when you’re confident in who you are.” Today, she’s an Emmy-winning comedic actress—proof that initial judgments can be wrong.

5. THE SHOW’S CREATOR FREQUENTLY ASKS ACTORS TO REVEAL HIDDEN SKILLS.

Sherman-Palladino keeps her cast constantly challenged. After finishing the first season, Brosnahan received a text asking if she could ride a bike, while Marin Hinkle was questioned about her French-speaking skills. Brosnahan also had to master a unique routine involving “a rolling chair and some choreography” for the new season. “I took a few spills, but I’m picking up new talents,” Brosnahan remarked.

6. MIDGE PAYS TRIBUTE TO JOAN RIVERS.

Midge embodies the trailblazing energy of legendary female comedians like Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers. Her boldness especially echoes Rivers’s style. To prepare for the role, Brosnahan studied numerous performances by Rivers. While their comedic approaches differ, their determination to thrive in a male-dominated industry is strikingly similar.

7. SHERMAN-PALLADINO CHOSE A PERIOD SETTING TO ESCAPE MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

Known for her rapid-fire, pop culture-rich dialogue, Sherman-Palladino has little love for modern tech. Beyond honoring her father’s career, she was drawn to the mid-century setting for its lack of technological distractions. “The chance to create a show without worrying about Snapchat is a dream come true—I’m overjoyed because I don’t get technology. I just want to return to a simpler time,” she explained to Vanity Fair.

8. CAFFEINE PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN BRINGING THE CHARACTER TO LIFE.

How does one deliver Sherman-Palladino’s rapid-fire dialogue? “It helps when you’re genuinely passionate about the project and your character,” Brosnahan shared with Harper's Bazaar. “But as the show progressed, it required digging deep and relying on copious amounts of coffee. I mean, a *lot* of coffee.” The scripts for the series are notably 10 to 15 pages longer than those of typical TV shows.

9. BROSNAHAN LANDED THE ROLE DESPITE A BOTCHED AUDITION AND A SEVERE ILLNESS.

After years of being dismissed as unfunny, Brosnahan nearly missed her chance with Mrs. Maisel. She felt her first audition went poorly, and then, just before a callback with Sherman-Palladino and executive producer Dan Palladino, she fell seriously ill. She delayed the test, hoping to recover, but her condition worsened.

“I pushed through, but I was incredibly sick during the camera test,” Brosnahan confessed. “I was so sweaty that Amy kept stopping me to powder my face. I was blowing my nose, and at one point, I even took off my shoes. At best, it was a glorious mess. But then again, Midge herself is a bit of a disaster at times.”

10. BROSNAHAN DOESN’T VIEW MIDGE AS A FEMINIST ICON.

Although Midge breaks barriers in a male-dominated field, Brosnahan refrains from labeling her character as a feminist. Instead, Midge’s journey is a subtle, personal rebellion. “What I admire about Midge is that she isn’t a feminist in the traditional sense,” Brosnahan explained to The New York Times. “She’s a product of her era. What defines her is her curiosity and relentless drive. If she doesn’t understand something, she’s determined to learn. For her, there’s only one direction: forward.”