“The First Lady” portrays three former first women. The series stars Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer (“French Exit”) as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson (“The Crown”) as Eleanor Roosevelt. The ten-part drama follows each woman’s journey as she navigates life in the White House and marriage to several Presidents. Expect political intrigues, period-appropriate apparel, and, of course, marriage issues!
The first casting for “The First Lady” was exciting: Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Gillian Anderson are all talented performers. Plus, biopics are ideal for developing characters in depth. It’s been a long time coming, but the first trailer finally shows us what happens after the show’s end. And what about their emotional journeys?
Anticipate seeing a lot more of these ladies in the coming days, as Showtime has planned a massive rollout for Presidents Day Weekend, which will include digital projections near federal landmarks in heavily traveled US travel areas. As with the series, the marketing effort will shine a light on the three First Ladies, acknowledging their numerous lifetime accomplishments.
Viola Davis appears to be determined to keep control over her public image as Michelle Obama, while Anderson’s Roosevelt seizes control of her private life, which appears to involve an affair with Lily Rabe (“American Horror Story”) as Lorena “Hick” Hickok.
Kiefer Sutherland (“24”) portrays President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Aaron Eckhart (“Wander”) portrays President Gerald Ford, O-T Fagbenle (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) portrays President Barack Obama, Dakota Fanning (“The Alienist”) portrays Susan Elizabeth Ford, Regina Taylor (“I’ll Fly Away”) portrays Michelle Robinson Obama’s mother, Marian Shields Robinson, and Jayme Lawson (“The Batman”) portrays Young Michelle Obama.