Lessons in Chemistry is a sign of the times — the 1950s, that is.
Soundtracked by Harry Styles’ emotional ballad “Sign of the Times,” the latest trailer for the Apple TV+ limited series previews the powerful story of Elizabeth Zott ( Brie Larson), whose dream of being a scientist is thwarted at every turn in 1950s patriarchal society.
Based on The New York Times best-selling debut novel from author/science editor Bonnie Garmus, the Larson-led drama tells Elizabeth’s unexpected journey from scientist to celebrity chef after losing her laboratory job as a chemist.
“In life, discoveries usually lead to more questions. The only constant variable is the unexpected,” Elizabeth says in the trailer. “We can’t control it. It’s only when you look backwards that you see how it was all connected.”
Later in the trailer, she cheekily foreshadows her career change, saying, “I like to cook. It’s just chemistry.”
From her heated firing to her first day as the host of housewife-targeted TV program Supper at Six, the trailer situates Lessons in Chemistry as a drama-comedy with strong feminist messaging.
“I stand proudly with the overlooked workhorse of the kitchen, women and baked potatoes,” Elizabeth jokes on the air in one scene.
In another, a mustached Rainn Wilson playing the TV station manager tells Elizabeth, “Politics don’t belong in the kitchen. A man wants his wife to make him a drink after a long day at work.”
Elizabeth calmly replies, “Why do you assume that his day was longer than hers?” She then boldly quips, “Why don’t you make the drink?”
The emotionally charged trailer also offers a glimpse into the relationships between the witty scientist and her love interest Calvin Evans (Top Gun: Maverick actor Lewis Pullman), as well as her neighbor and friend Harriet Sloane (How to Get Away with Murder actress Aja Naomi King).
The eight-episode drama, which Larson, 33, is also executive-producing, will follow the science-loving single mom through new love, motherhood and her unexpected career as a cooking show star.
Above all, however, the series is about Elizabeth’s refusal to settle for anything less than what she thinks she deserves, no matter the external influences — namely, patriarchy — that attempt to sway her.
“Children set the table,” Elizabeth says in the final moment of the trailer. “Your mother needs a moment to herself.”
In addition to Larson, Wilson, Pullman and King, the book-to-TV adaptation also stars Stephanie Koenig (The Flight Attendant, The Offer), Kevin Sussman (The Big Bang Theory, The Dropout), Patrick Walker ( Gaslit, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey) and Thomas Mann ( Me and Earl and the Dying Girl).
Six-time Emmy Award-nominee Lee Eisenberg serves as showrunner for the Aggregate Films-produced show.
The first two episodes of Lessons In Chemistry will be available to stream on Apple TV+ Oct. 13. Additional episodes will drop Fridays through Nov. 24.
