Viola Davis stuns as former First Lady Michelle Obama

Viola Davis (Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad ) is an incredible actress. We all know this, but how will she fare in the role of former First Lady, Michelle Obama? In 2022, we’re going to find out in the anthology series, The First Lady, which will center on some of the world’s most influential First spouses. The series will also focus on Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt, as per the first look from Collider.

O-T Fagbagle (Black Widow, Handmaid’s Tale) will play Barack Obama while Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford. Gillian Anderson (The Crown‘s Margaret Thatcher) will take on Eleanor Roosevelt while Dakota Fanning plays Susan Ford, the daughter of Betty and Gerald Ford. Kiefer Sutherland and Aaron Eckhart will also appear in the series as Franklin Roosevelt and Gerald Ford, respectively.

The series will focus on how Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt shaped their husband’s legacies in the White House while they were First Ladies.

Viola said that she is “protective” of Michelle Obama and how she plays the role of such a respected and ironic woman and considers her to be “just dope”.  In other words? She thinks Michelle is a very cool lady. Hopefully, she didn’t feel the pressure the way a lot of actresses would.

Here is a first look:

What’s more, is Viola is almost unrecognizable as Michelle Obama. A massive standout in the photos that were released was how the hair is done. The series will also feature depictions of Michelle’s mother, Marian Shields Robinson, and former First Daughters Malia and Sasha.

Will Viola’s performance as Michelle Obama be enough to secure her an Emmy nomination? Maybe. We’ll just have to see how the series and the portrayal are received when it goes to air.

The  First Lady is due to debut in the first part of 2022 on Showtime.