It’s actually happening! To be clear this project has been in the works for a while but according to an exclusive with Variety Viola Davis will play our forever first lady Michelle Obama in an upcoming Showtime anthology series called “The First Lady”
“The First Lady is Expected to “peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives” of past First Ladies, according to Variety, the show will steer clear of the West Wing and instead focus on the East, “where many of history’s most impactful and world changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America’s charismatic, complex and dynamic First Ladies.” The anthology is also expected to focus on Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt.
This won’t be Obama’s first time being memorialized on-screen. She was previously portrayed by Tika Sumpter in 2016’s Southside with You. The former FLOTUS herself has a few projects up her sleeve in the entertainment industry after she and husband Barack Obama signed a major deal to produce series and movies for Netflix, which includes the documentary American Factory.
It’s no secret that the Oscar winner is a fan of Obama. In January 2019, she celebrated the former First Lady’s birthday by tweeting a photo of them together, writing, “Happy birthday to the Queen! My sis! My image of grace and beauty and intelligence!! All hail!!”
Via Bazaar – Davis is already getting ready for her big transformation.
“Now I am in the place of a little bit of fear—well, I’m not going to lie, a lot of fear,” she told Entertainment Tonight of preparing for her role. When it came to research, which she began last year, Davis was able to speak to Obama, as well as read her book and watch her documentary.
The actress is already doing makeup tests at home with her makeup artist and “they are doing an extraordinary job with the transformation of it all,” she told ET. She added that she’s “looking forward to [the transformation] with a lot of fear, but I am looking forward to it.”
Sooo proud!!! Honoring and elevating these powerful, worthy Queens with respect. Go #TeamJuVee!!! @JuVeeProds #Legacy #Significance #FirstLadieshttps://t.co/5YWaw3hK8r
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) February 5, 2020
Watch Viola as she expresses excitement about the role:
“The First Lady” is written and executive produced by Aaron Cooley. Davis is also executive producing along with Julius Tennon and Andrew Wang of JuVee Productions.
Cathy Schulman of Welle Entertainment executive produces along with Jeff Gaspin via Gaspin Media, and Brad Kaplan of LINK Entertainment. Susanne Bier is attached to direct and executive produce.
Honestly, Viola Davis is the perfect actress to play our Forever First Lady! She is gonna kill it!
