Television

“First Ladies” Ordered to Series at Showtime, Viola Davis Stars as Michelle Obama

Davis in "How to Get Away with Murder": Eric McCandless/ABC

Viola Davis is paying tribute to Michelle Obama’s legacy. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Showtime has given a series order to “First Ladies,” an anthology series that sees the Emmy and Oscar-winning actress taking on the role of Obama. Season 1 of the political drama will also tell the stories of Eleanor Roosevelt and Betty Ford, but no word on casting for those roles yet.

Counting Davis among its exec producers, “First Ladies” will center on the “personal and political lives of the country’s most enigmatic heroes,” the source details.

“Throughout our history, presidents’ spouses have wielded remarkable influence, not only on the nation’s leaders but on the country itself,” said Showtime Entertainment president Jana Winograde. “’First Ladies’ fits perfectly within the Showtime wheelhouse of drama and politics, revealing how much personal relationships impact both domestic and global events. Having Viola Davis play Michelle Obama is a dream come true, and we couldn’t be luckier to have her extraordinary talent to help launch this series.”

Tika Sumpter played Obama in 2016’s “Southside With You,” a romance inspired by Michelle and Barack Obama’s relationship.

Davis won an Oscar for her role in “Fences.” She also received nods for “The Help” and “Doubt.” She took home an Emmy for her starring role in “How to Get Away with Murder.” The legal drama is currently in its sixth and final season on ABC. Davis’ upcoming projects include “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a Netflix pic that tells the story of Ma Rainey, a blues singer making a record in 1920s Chicago, and “The Suicide Squad.”


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