Showtime has a hot new series, The First Lady, premiering on April 17. The high-wattage red carpet on Thursday night in Los Angeles proved that with strong writing and multi-faceted roles for women, these in-demand artists will sign on to the project. Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson tackle the complex assignment of embodying a historical First Lady — a White House role that isn’t paid but demands much of their time.
Davis understood the assignment of playing Michelle Obama right away. “What’s dramatic about Michelle Obama? I’ll tell you what’s dramatic,” she explained to Deadline’s Contenders TV. “She is a Black woman and the first Black woman in the White House built by slaves, someone who literally was perceived to be overly masculine, not feminine, angry, hostile.” Davis felt that it was her job to “honor her and not the perception of what Black women are supposed to be.”
With Pfeiffer stepping in to play Betty Ford and Anderson trying to stand as tall as Eleanor Roosevelt (there is a seven-inch height difference), actresses in Hollywood are thrilled to peel the intricate layers of the women, who had just as much influence as their husbands in the Oval Office. See who came out to celebrate The First Lady‘s big night — and find out who had an on-screen reunion after 21 years apart.
Viola Davis, Lexi Underwood, Saniyya Sidney, & O-T Fagbenle
An Obama family reunion! Viola Davis and The Handmaid’s Tale‘s O-T Fagbenle play Michelle and Barack Obama, while Little Fires Everywhere‘s Lexi Underwood plays big sister Malia Obama, and Saniyya Sidney, who recently played Venus Williams in King Richard, plays Sasha Obama.
O-T Fagbenle & Viola Davis
Not sure if their red carpet chemistry was meant to be a tease of what we’ll see on The First Lady — but consider our interest piqued.
Shannon Purser
Stranger Things‘ Shannon Purser has a brief role on The First Lady, listed as “Peg” appearing in season 1, episode 3 of the series.
Lexi Underwood
Shine on! Lexi Underwood’s premiere look convinced us she and Malia Obama have at least one thing in common — a killer sense of style.
Gillian Anderson
X-Files superstar Gillian Anderson is stepping into the large shoes of Eleanor Roosevelt in The First Lady — and we can’t wait to see her shine in the role.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis was nervous to take on the role of Michelle Obama because she’s a beloved public figure. “You’re terrified whenever you start a job because you are afraid you are going to be found out — that’s big imposter syndrome,” Davis told Entertainment Tonight. “But with Michelle Obama, it’s like everyone has ownership over Michelle Obama.”
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon
Julius Tennon supports the first lady in his life on the red carpet. Tennon and Davis have been happily married for almost 19 years.
Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelly
Michelle Pfeiffer is selective about the roles she chooses to play, but Betty Ford was an opportunity she couldn’t miss. Husband (and Nine Perfect Strangers creator) David E. Kelly joined her on the red carpet in celebration of her big night.
Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning reunites with I Am Sam co-star Michelle Pfeiffer 21 years later in The First Lady. This time around, she’s playing Susan Elizabeth Ford, the only daughter, and youngest child of Gerald and Betty Ford.
Susanne Bier
Director Susanne Bier helmed all 10 episodes of The First Lady, shining a light on these historical figures from a female perspective.
Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland is playing opposite Gillian Anderson’s Eleanor Roosevelt as the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Or as we like to think of it — 24‘s Jack Bauer marries X-Files‘ Dana Scully.)
Judy Greer
Judy Greer makes a cameo in The First Lady as Nancy Howe, Betty Ford’s social secretary, and trusted confidante. Greer continues her streak of playing everyone’s BFF onscreen.
Ambyr Childers
You star Ambyr Childers supports her Hollywood friends at The First Lady red carpet sporting a very Washington, D.C. business wear meets NYC-style look.
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