Lessons in Chemistry release date, trailer, schedule, and what to know

Lessons in Chemistry, starring Academy Award winner Brie Larson as chemist and TV cook show host Elizabeth Zott, makes its debut in October on Apple TV+. The series will transport viewers to the 1950s as our heroine is dismissed from her job.

As a woman of science, Elizabeth sees the world through a different lens but, due to her gender, her efforts in the field aren’t appreciated and are overlooked. However, though she can’t continue down the career path she wanted a new opportunity presents itself.

When she’s offered a job as a host of a TV program, Elizabeth uses it as a means of being a voice for housewives and woman who are overlooked and underappreciated in their homes. It’s also a chance to open the eyes of men. Here’s everything you need to know about the show!

Lessons in Chemistry release date

The series premieres Friday, Oct. 13 with its first two episodes before moving to one episode weekly releases.

What is Lessons in Chemistry about?

The official synopsis via Apple TV+:

"Set in the early 1950s, [the show] follows Elizabeth Zott, whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold in a patriarchal society. When Elizabeth finds herself fired from her lab, she accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show, and sets out to teach a nation of overlooked housewives — and the men who are suddenly listening — a lot more than recipes."

Lessons in Chemistry cast

Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott
Lewis Pullman as Calvin Evans
Aja Naomi King as Harriet Slone
Stephanie Koenig as Fran Frask
Kevin Sussman as Walter
Patrick Walker as Wakely
Thomas Mann as Boryweitz
Rainn Wilson

Is Lessons in Chemistry based on a true story?

No. The series isn’t based on a real life story. Elizabeth Zott, and her cooking show, didn’t exist in the 1950s. However, the plight of women in the workforce during the ’50s and the struggle to succeed and be taken seriously in the male-dominated field of the sciences is very real and still is an issue to this very day.

Is Lessons in Chemistry based on a book?

Yes! The series was adapted from Bonnie Garmus’ book by the same name. It was named Barnes & Noble’s book of the year in 2022. Garmus spoke on what inspired novel to Better Reading:

"The main inspiration came from a bad day at work! I’d been in a meeting which had been plagued by some average sexism, but for some reason on that day, I just couldn’t let it go. Later, when I got back to my desk (still mad!) I wrote the first chapter of Lessons in Chemistry.On a related note, I set Lessons in Chemistry in the early 60s, not only because I wanted to reassure myself that we have made progress in terms of sexism, but also because that’s when my mother and all of the other so-called “average housewives” were at home. It was my way of saluting that generation of over-looked women. They endured a lot – but they also sparked a massive amount of change."

Lessons in Chemistry age rating

The Apple TV+ original is intended for mature audiences as its rated TV-MA. A breakdown of what content is in the show hasn’t been released, however, viewers can expect period typical sexism and racism. There will likely be strong language as well as alcohol consumption and depictions of smoking.