The First Lady (American TV series)
American anthology drama television series
The First Lady Genre Created by Aaron Cooley Directed by Susanne Bier Starring Music by Geoff Zanelli Opening theme "This Land Is Your Land " by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Country of origin United States Original language English No. of seasons1 No. of episodes10 Executive producers Cinematography Amir Mokri Editors
Sam Williams
Matthew Cannings
Lindsey Woodward
Nicolas Chaudeurge
Running time 55–57 minutes Production companies Network Showtime Release April 17 (2022-04-17 ) – June 19, 2022 (2022-06-19 )
The First Lady [ 1] is an American anthology drama television series created by Aaron Cooley which premiered on Showtime on April 17, 2022.[ 2] It stars Michelle Pfeiffer , Viola Davis , and Gillian Anderson , among others, and portrays life and family events of three First Ladies of the United States : Eleanor Roosevelt , Betty Ford , and Michelle Obama . The series received mixed reviews, with praise for Pfeiffer, Davis and Anderson's performances, as well as the costuming, set design, and themes, but criticism for its pacing and plot.[ 3] [ 4] In August 2022, the series was canceled after one season.[ 5] The show premiered on some PBS stations, syndicated by American Public Television on October 1, 2024.[ 6]
Cast and characters
Main
Viola Davis as Michelle Obama (born 1964, served 2009–2017)[ 7]
Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford (1918–2011, served 1974–1977)[ 1]
Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962, served 1933–1945)
O-T Fagbenle as Barack H. Obama (born 1961), 44th President of the United States (2009–2017)
Julian De Niro as young Barack H. Obama
Kiefer Sutherland as Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), 32nd President of the United States (1933–1945)
Aaron Eckhart as Gerald R. Ford (1913–2016), 38th President of the United States (1974–1977)
Dakota Fanning as Susan Ford (born 1957, in White House, 1974–1977)
Arlo Mertz as young Susan Ford
Lily Rabe as Lorena Hickok (1893–1968), Eleanor Roosevelt 's journalist friend
Regina Taylor as Marian Robinson (1937–2024), Michelle Obama 's mother
Recurring
Episodes
Production
Development
On February 5, 2020, it was announced that Showtime had given the production, then known as First Ladies , a series order. Executive producers were expected to include Viola Davis , Julius Tennon, Cathy Schulman , Jeff Gaspin , Brad Kaplan, and Aaron Cooley, who also created the series and will write. Davis would star as Michelle Obama .[ 20] In January 2021, Michelle Pfeiffer , Jayme Lawson , and Kristine Froseth joined the cast of the series as Betty Ford , young Obama, and young Ford, respectively, with Susanne Bier set to direct and executive produce.[ 1] [ 21] That same month, Pamela Adlon and Rhys Wakefield joined the cast.[ 22]
On February 16, 2021, Aaron Eckhart joined the cast as President Gerald Ford .[ 23] That same month, Judy Greer replaced Adlon due to scheduling conflicts.[ 24] On February 22, 2021, it was announced that Gillian Anderson would portray Eleanor Roosevelt .[ 25] Three days later, on February 25, 2021, it was announced that O. T. Fagbenle would portray President Barack Obama .[ 26] Dakota Fanning was announced to have joined the cast as Susan Ford on March 2, 2021.[ 27] On March 9, 2021, Lexi Underwood joined the cast as Malia Obama in a recurring role.[ 28]
On March 10, 2021, nine more joined the cast, including Derek Cecil as Donald Rumsfeld , Aya Cash as Esther Liebowitz, Jake Picking as Gerald Ford (young), Cayden Boyd as Michael Ford, Marc Hills as Jack Ford, Ben Cook as Steven Ford , Leslie Kritzer as Martha Graham , Thomas E. Sullivan as Bill Warren, and Patrice Johnson Chevannes as Clara Powell.[ 29] [ 30]
On April 13, 2021, Regina Taylor joined the cast in a series regular role as Marian Shields Robinson , while Saniyya Sidney , Julian De Niro and Evan Parke joined the cast in recurring roles as Sasha Obama , young Barack Obama and SS Allen Taylor, respectively.[ 31] In June 2021, Gloria Reuben and Kate Mulgrew joined the cast as Valerie June Jarrett and Susan Sher, while Rosalind Chao , Michael Potts , Kathleen Garrett and Donna Lynne Champlin joined in recurring capacities.[ 32] [ 33] [ 34]
In July 2021, Kiefer Sutherland and Lily Rabe joined the main cast as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok , respectively, while Ellen Burstyn , Eliza Scanlen , Cailee Spaeny , Clea DuVall and Charlie Plummer joined the cast in recurring roles.[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] [ 38] In August 2021, Jackie Earle Haley , Maria Dizzia , and Jeremy Bobb were cast in recurring capacities.[ 39] The series premiered on April 17, 2022, on Showtime and Paramount+ Internationally in 2022.[ 2] [ 40] On August 1, 2022, Showtime canceled the series after one season.[ 5]
Filming
On February 25, 2021, it was announced that filming had begun in Covington , Georgia .[ 41]
Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 41% approval rating with an average rating of 6.00/10, based on 44 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Despite formidable stars and a rich history to draw from, a lack of focus and shallow characterization make The First Lady second-rate television."[ 42] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 50 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[ 43]
Accolades
Ratings
References
^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (January 21, 2021). "Michelle Pfeiffer To Star As Betty Ford In 'The First Lady', Susanne Bier To Direct Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021 .
^ a b Romano, Nick (February 17, 2022). " 'The First Lady' trailer transforms Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gillian Anderson" . Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022 .
^ "Review: Showtime's 'The First Lady' wants to be as cool as Michelle Obama, but it's just confused" . USA Today . Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022 .
^ "Viola Davis responds to critics of her Michelle Obama portrayal" . BBC News . April 25, 2022. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2022). " 'The First Lady' Canceled: There Will Be No Second Installment Of Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022 .
^ "THE FIRST LADY" . American Public Television . Retrieved December 1, 2024 .
^ "First Ladies: New Original Series - Official Site" . Showtime . Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020 .
^ Rice, Lynette (November 8, 2021). "Get a first look at Viola Davis as Michelle Obama in Showtime's The First Lady" . Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021 .
^ "Shows A-Z - first lady, the on showtime" . The Futon Critic . Retrieved April 11, 2022 .
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^ a b Salem, Mitch (June 21, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.19.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated" . Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022 .
^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (February 5, 2020). " 'First Ladies' Drama Starring Viola Davis As Michelle Obama Gets Series Order At Showtime" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020 .
^ Otterson, Joe (January 26, 2021). " 'The First Lady' at Showtime Adds Kristine Froseth, Jayme Lawson (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021 .
^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Pamela Adlon & Rhys Wakefield Join Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021 .
^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 16, 2021). " 'First Lady': Aaron Eckhart To Play Gerald Ford In Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021 .
^ White, Peter (February 19, 2021). "Judy Greer To Replace Pamela Adlon In Showtime's 'The First Lady' " . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021 .
^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 22, 2021). "Gillian Anderson To Star As Eleanor Roosevelt In 'The First Lady' Showtime Limited Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021 .
^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 25, 2021). " 'The First Lady': O-T Fagbenle To Play Barack Obama In Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021 .
^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Dakota Fanning To Play Susan Ford In Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021 .
^ Otterson, Joe (March 9, 2021). " 'Little Fires Everywhere' Star Lexi Underwood to Play Malia Obama in 'The First Lady' at Showtime" . Variety . Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021 .
^ Sneider, Jeff (March 10, 2021). "Exclusive: 'House of Cards' Alum Derek Cecil to Play Donald Rumsfeld in 'The First Lady' on Showtime" . Collider . Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^ Petski, Denise (March 10, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Aya Cash, Jake Picking, Ben Cook Among 8 Cast In Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^ Petski, Denise (April 13, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Regina Taylor To Play Michelle Obama's Mother In Showtime Anthology Series; Saniyya Sidney, 2 More Cast" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 4, 2021). "Gloria Reuben Joins Blumhouse's 'Firestarter' & Showtime Anthology Series 'The First Lady" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021 .
^ Petski, Denise (June 8, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Kate Mulgrew To Recur, Cathy Schulman Named Showrunner On Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ Petski, Denise (June 14, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Rosalind Chao, Michael Potts & Donna Lynne Champlin To Recur On Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021 .
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^ Petski, Denise (July 27, 2021). " 'The First Lady': Lily Rabe To Play Journalist Lorena Hickock In Showtime Anthology Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 .
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External links
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