Rachel Griffiths has shared how women like herself and Taylor Swift have opened the door for women to be fearlessly ‘unlikeable.’

The Australian actress discussed how her role in Six Feet Under, her breakthrough performance, altered the perception of women’s representation in Hollywood.

‘All of [creator] Alan [Ball]’s women were ahead of their time,’ she tells this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine. 

‘I didn’t really grasp how essential it was in American TV to be portrayed as likeable, sexually appealing, or an untouchable mother. Those stereotypes were largely unexamined. There wasn’t much ambiguity.’

She added: ‘I was lucky with Muriel’s Wedding, because [I played] an unconventional female character there, too.’ 

Rachel went on to say that pop stars like Taylor have made it more acceptable to have ‘ugly feelings’ as a woman.

Rachel Griffiths reflected on how she and Taylor Swift have helped pave the way for women to embrace being unapologetically ‘unlikeable.’ Featured in this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine.

‘I say this about Taylor Swift: she sings about the jealousy and the smallness,’ she explained. 

‘You know, ‘”I’m the problem, it’s me.” For generations, she’s made it okay to have those ugly feelings.

‘There were negative emotions that we were conditioned to think – if you’re a good or nice girl – you shouldn’t experience. And if you do, keep them hidden and unspoken. So it was a significant release of all that.’

It comes after Rachel’s latest television role embroiled her in controversy.   

Recently, a disgruntled viewer criticized Channel Nine for broadcasting the acclaimed New Zealand drama Madam, labeling it as ‘filth’ unsuitable for TV.

The offended Australian expressed their grievances to 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham, condemning the series that features an American woman relocating to New Zealand to establish a ‘feminist, ethical brothel’.

The viewer insisted that former Nine boss Kerry Packer would be ‘turning in his grave’ over the program’s inclusion on the network. 

‘The person reading this may be too young to remember that the late Kerry Packer whilst at home watching his own TV station stopped a show whilst it was airing for its inappropriate content,’ they wrote to 2GB.

The Australian actress explained how starring in Six Feet Under – her breakout role – helped change the landscape for how women can appear in Hollywood. Pictured in Six Feet Under

‘It just goes to show the decline in our society to have this filth on at 9pm at night or even at all. Even if this is legally allowed to be aired so what, does anybody proof watch these shows?’

The upset viewer added the show could be detrimental to young viewers, especially children who were on school holidays when it premiered.

‘You should be sued by our society for forcing images on our children, elderly and people of any age that innocently think they are safe to turn the channel over and then be hit with those images that will forever be scarred in their mind,’ they wrote.

‘How dare you steal people’s, who choose to live differently to your standards, innocence.’

Another viewer told Fordham that his mother-in-law was shocked to see the show.

‘She said it was absolutely disgusting filth and described it as porn, she was actually disturbed by it.

‘She said she could not get the image out of her head and was scarred by it.’ 

Their outrage was echoed online, where several others voiced their disapproval of the 10-part series, which carries an MA 15+ rating. 

‘I say this about Taylor Swift: she sings about the jealousy and the smallness,’ she explained. ‘You know, ‘”I’m the problem, it’s me.” For generations, she’s made it okay to have those ugly feelings,’ she said. Taylor is pictured 

‘Channel Nine you are a disgrace to put on that trash. Madam – it’s pornographic, it’s not suitable for TV. Shame on you. Kids are still on school holidays,’ one said.

‘Standards are in the gutter now. It should have been on later at night,’ another wrote.

‘We need more family shows on TV not this trash,’ another said.  

Madam is based on the true story of brothel owner Antonia Murphy and stars Rachel Griffiths, best known for her role as Rhonda in Muriel’s Wedding.

The series premiered in New Zealand on July 4, 2024, before reaching Australia on February 4, 2025.

Madam notably won the Golden Nymph Award for Best Creation at the 2024 Monte Carlo TV Festival.

Read more in this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine