Showtime has just announced that their upcoming anthology seriesThe First Ladywill premiere in the first quarter of 2022. The announcement comes as part of the cabler’s Television Critics Association panel, where the show was also described as “Showtime’s American version ofThe Crown.”
Described as a revelatory reframing of American leadership, the series examines American history through the lens of the women at the center of the White House. The first season tackles a trio of women who served as First Lady: Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama. They will be played, respectively, by Emmy winnerGillian Anderson, Golden Globe winnerMichelle Pfeifferand Oscar winnerViola Davis.
RELATED:Michelle Pfeiffer to Play Betty Ford in Showtime’s ‘The First Lady’ Alongside Viola Davis’ Michelle Obama
Joining them in the White House areKiefer Sutherlandas Franklin D. Roosevelt,Aaron Eckhartas Gerald Ford, andO-T Fagbenleas Barack Obama. The rest of the cast includesKristine Frosethas young Betty Ford,Judy Greeras Betty’s trusted confidante and social secretary Nancy Howe,Dakota Fanningas Susan Elizabeth Ford,Derek Cecilas Donald Rumsfeld,Rhys Wakefieldas Dick Cheney,Jayme Lawsonas young Michelle Obama, andLexi Underwoodas Malia Obama.
The series was created byAaron Cooleyand is directed bySusanne Bier, whose previous work includes the Oscar-winningIn a Better WorldandThe Night Manager, for which she won an Emmy. “Susanne is a visionary director who commands the screen with fierce honesty and a singular visual style,” saidAmy Israel, the Executive VP of Scripted Programming at Showtime. “With these formidable artists in front of and behind the camera, we couldn’t be more thrilled — especially at this unique moment in time for our nation — about the powerful promise ofThe First Lady.”
Cooley and Bier executive produced the series, alongside Davis,Cathy Schulman,Jeff Gaspin,Brad Kaplan,Julius Tennon, andAndrew Wang.
The First Ladywill premiere this winter on Showtime, though no set release date has been announced.
KEEP READING:Kiefer Sutherland to Play President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Showtime’s ‘The First Lady’
