Viola Davis Stars As Michelle Obama in New Series ‘The First Lady’
Viola Davis will be playing one of the most popular first ladies, Michelle Obama. The Suicide Squad actress, 56, will be starring in Showtime’s new limited series called The First Lady which will debut sometime in 2022. Davis admitted she’s read Michelle’s memoir and watched her Netflix documentary, Becoming, to make her portrayal of Michelle as accurate as possible. During an interview, Davis spoke highly of the former first lady.
“I wish she had given advice because I could use that right now, Michelle,” Davis joked. “I love her beyond love, and I think she would never advise me because she has too much respect for people in whatever field they study. She is just a bastion of support.”
“I feel very protective of Michelle,’ Davis added. “It’s our job as actors not to judge whoever we are portraying, but I ended up thinking she’s just dope.”
The way Viola’s about to eat this role up 😩 pic.twitter.com/789GkLmCky
— ♏ (@Coolness941) November 8, 2021
Davis even took to social media to express her excitement. “It was terrifying but an incredible honor to portray this extraordinary woman. Can’t wait to share Showtime’s The First Lady! ❤️”
They got Viola Davis playing Michelle Obama I’m sold pic.twitter.com/jIpWYnCiam
— si (@siaistired) November 8, 2021
The First Lady’s first season will center around presidents Obama, Ford, and Roosevelt, focusing on both their personal and political lives. The show will peel back the layers of these first ladies and explore their journeys to Washington through connecting storylines on a personal level. The cast has already been selected, including Michelle Obama’s family. O-T Fagbenle will star as President Barack Obama, Lexi Underwood as Malia Obama, Saniyya Sidney as Sasha Obama, and Regina Taylor as Michelle’s mother, Marian Shields Robinson.
VIOLA DAVIS IS GONNA PLAY MICHELLE OBAMA THIS IS NOT A DRILL 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/HzkZhmLS6u
— jae 💕 (@JaedynDLux) November 8, 2021
In addition to Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer will be playing the first lady Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt. Additional cast members include Aaron Eckhart, Judy Greer, Nancy Howe, Jayme Lawson, Kristine Froseth, Rhys Wakefield, and Dakota Fanning. Davis herself will be serving as executive producer alongside Aaron Cooley, who created and wrote the show. While there’s no official release date, The First Lady is set to be released sometime in 2022.
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