This is going to be so good!
First look photos were just released of Viola Davis as Michelle Obama in a new Showtime drama, Vulture reports.
In August 2019, Showtime announced a new drama focused on first ladies personal and political lives in the White House. Veteran actress Viola Davis signed on to star in the series. In partnership with Lionsgate TV, she and her husband Julius Tennon will also be executive producing the anthology via their JuVee Productions company. Now, first look photos of Davis as Michelle Obama in The First Lady have been released, and she does not disappoint.
“It was terrifying but an incredible honor to portray this extraordinary woman. Can’t wait to share @Showtime’s #TheFirstLady,” Davis captioned photos via Instagram.
Before agreeing to the project, Davis watched Obama’s Netflix documentary Becoming, studying the Forever First Lady’s gestures which might explain the spot-on resemblance. The series explores Obama’s eight years in the White House and features photos of her family members.
In one photo, Davis poses next to O-T Fagbenle, who portrays President Barack Obama. She is also seen with Regina Taylor, who plays Marian Robinson, Mrs. Obama’s mother. Daughters Sasha and Malia are played by Saniyya Sidney and Lexi Underwood. The series also features Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt with Cathy Schulman (Crash) as showrunner.
Davis said she read Obama’s memoir and spoke with the First Lady before signing on to the project. Take a look at the remarkable first look photos below, complete with the signature Obama brow and smirk.
The First Lady is set to air on Showtime Sunday, April 17 at 9 p.m.
Photos Courtesy of Getty Images/@violadavis