'The Astronaut Wives Club' Cast
You may be familiar with the book "The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story" by Lily Koppel. To check out the original book, click here. Now ABC has come out with a TV show to honor seven women who were "key players" in some of the biggest events in our nation's history. The official synopsis of the show, provided by ABC, reads: The Astronaut Wives Club focuses on seven women who were key players behind some of the biggest events in American history. As America’s astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, the lives of their young wives were transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty. As their celebrity rose, and tragedy began to touch their lives, they rallied together. For the premiere episode, the official plot states: Seven women are transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty as they prepare for the mission of a lifetime when NASA chooses their husbands – talented test pilots from around the country – to be the first Americans in space! These women who once were strangers rally around their husbands and their country. With death defying missions underway, these women form a bond only they could understand. As Alan Shepherd is tapped to be the first to go up, his wife Louise is the picture of strength as she handles the pressures of space exploration and her responsibilities as wife and mother. With the other women by her side, the race to space is on. To check out the cast members and character bios, read on below, and feel free to click through our gallery of all the best character photos, still shot pictures from the show, and behind-the-scenes pics.
JOANNA GARCIA SWISHER plays Betty Grissom
Betty Grissom is a small town girl who is sort of thrown into the spotlight. She used to work at the Indiana Bell to put her husband Gus through engineering school.
YVONNE STRAHOVSKI plays Rene Carpenter
Rene Carpenter is an educated woman and mother, who ends up using her position to become more active in politics, civil rights and women’s issues.
DOMINIQUE MCELLIGOTT plays Louise Shepard
Louise is a very private person, but carries herself calmly and loyally in the public eye, earning her the nickname "Lady Louise".
ODETTE ANNABLE plays Trudy Cooper
Trudy Cooper is actually a pilot and she's pretty much with her husband Gordo for the sake of his career.
ERIN CUMMINGS plays Marge Slayton
"Mother Marge" is the leader of The Astronauts Wives Club.
AZURE PARSONS plays Annie Glenn
Annie Glenn's husband John is the first American to orbit the Earth. Annie has a debilitating speech impediment, but tries to be the perfect housewife and even sings in the church choir.
ZOE BOYLE plays Jo Schirra
Jo Schirra is the daughter of a Navy officer and knows how to be the proper military wife. She has a wry sense of humor, but always dresses the part of the proper housewife.
BRET HARRISON plays Gordo Cooper
Gordo and his wife Trudy were separated when he was chosen to be an astronaut, but they agree to get back together in order to support his career.
WILSON BETHEL plays Scott Carpenter
Scott Carpenter is the husband of strong activist Rene Carpenter. They have four children together.
KENNETH MITCHELL plays Deke Slayton
Deke gets grounded early in the Mercury program and he oversees the training and assignment of the astronauts.
JOEL JOHNSTONE plays Gus Grissom
Gus is married to Betty and becomes the second American to fly in space.
AARON MCCUSKER plays Wally Schirra
Wally Schirra is the prankster of the astronauts and is married to housewife Jo.
Now click through our gallery for all the best pics from the show. (ABC/Bob D'Amico)