Set in the early 1950s, “Lessons in Chemistry” follows Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson), 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. An earnest, emotive reflection of the main character’s struggle to fit within the confines of societal expectations, Carlos Rafael Rivera composed an optimistic, subtle, and cautious foundation carried through strong performances from the show’s cast.
The series has received 10 Emmy nominations, including two for Carlos Rafael Rivera in the categories for Outstanding Music Composition and Main Title Theme Music.