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The First Lady (American TV series)

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The First Lady
Genre
Created byAaron Cooley
Directed bySusanne Bier
Starring
Music byGeoff Zanelli
Opening theme"This Land Is Your Land" by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
CinematographyAmir Mokri
Editors
  • Sam Williams
  • Matthew Cannings
  • Lindsey Woodward
  • Nicolas Chaudeurge
Running time55–57 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseApril 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

[edit]

Main

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Recurring

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Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected by [8]Written byOriginal air date [9]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"That White House"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Aaron Cooley and Ellen Fairey & Jennifer Westfeldt & Hunt Baldwin and Abby Ajayi & Zora Bikangaga
Story by : Aaron Cooley		April 17, 2022 (2022-04-17)0.263[10]
2"Voices Carry"Susanne BierAaron Cooley & Cathy Schulman and Ellen Fairey and Abby AjayiApril 24, 2022 (2022-04-24)0.224[11]
3"Please Allow Me"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Jennifer Westfeldt & Hunt Baldwin and Aaron Cooley and Yolonda E. Lawrence
Story by : Jennifer Westfeldt & Hunt Baldwin and Yolonda E. Lawrence and Zora Bikangagan		May 1, 2022 (2022-05-01)0.202[12]
4"Cracked Pot"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Jennifer Westfeldt & Hunt Baldwin and Ellen Fairey and Cathy Schulman & Aaron Cooley
Story by : Cathy Schulman & Aaron Cooley and Zora Bikangaga		May 8, 2022 (2022-05-08)0.185[13]
5"See Saw"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Ellen Fairey and Azia Squire and Zora Bikangaga
Story by : Azia Squire		May 15, 2022 (2022-05-15)0.226[14]
6"Shout Out"Susanne BierNikole Beckwith and Alyson Feltes and Abby AjayiMay 22, 2022 (2022-05-22)0.185[15]
7"Nadir"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Nicole Jefferson Asher and Ellen Fairey and Zora Bikangaga
Story by : Nicole Jefferson Asher		May 29, 2022 (2022-05-29)0.202[16]
8"Punch Perfect"Susanne BierNikole Beckwith and Ellen Fairey and Abby AjayiJune 5, 2022 (2022-06-05)0.287[17]
9"Rift"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Jennifer Westfeldt and Aaron Cooley & Cathy Schulman and Abby Ajayi
Story by : Jennifer Westfeldt and Cathy Schulman & Aaron Cooley		June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12)0.292[18]
10"Victory Dance"Susanne BierTeleplay by : Nikole Beckwith and Ellen Fairey and Abby Ajayi
Story by : Aaron Cooley		June 19, 2022 (2022-06-19)0.220[19]

Production

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Development

[edit]

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

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On February 25, 2021, it was announced that filming had begun in Covington, Georgia.[41]

Reception

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Critical response

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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

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022 Black Reel Television Awards Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series Viola Davis Nominated [44]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Michelle Pfeiffer Nominated [45]
Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Aaron Cooley, Cathy Schulman, Ellen Fairey, and Abby Ajayi (for "Voices Carry") Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Period Costumes Signe Sejlund, Felicia Jarvis, Matthew Hemesath, Paula Truman, Stephen Oh, and Jessica Trejos (for "Cracked Pot") Nominated [46]
Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling Colleen LaBaff, Louisa Anthony, Lawrence Davis, Julie Kendrick, Robert Wilson, Jamika Wilson, Evelyn Roach, and Jaime Leigh McIntosh (for "See Saw") Nominated
Outstanding Period and/or Character Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) Carol Rasheed, Sergio López-Rivera, Valli O'Reilly, Chauntelle Langston, and Milene Melendez (for "Cracked Pot") Nominated
2023 Critics' Choice Awards Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Michelle Pfeiffer Nominated [47]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Viola Davis Nominated [48]

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per episode of The First Lady
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)
1 "That White House" April 17, 2022 0.01 0.263[10]
2 "Voices Carry" April 24, 2022 0.02 0.224[11]
3 "Please Allow Me" May 1, 2022 0.03 0.202[12]
4 "Cracked Pot" May 8, 2022 0.02 0.185[13]
5 "See Saw" May 15, 2022 0.04 0.226[14]
6 "Shout Out" May 22, 2022 0.02 0.185[15]
7 "Nadir" May 29, 2022 0.01 0.202[16]
8 "Punch Perfect" June 5, 2022 0.04 0.287[17]
9 "Rift" June 12, 2022 0.03 0.292[18]
10 "Victory Dance" June 19, 2022 0.01 0.220[19]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "THE FIRST LADY". American Public Television. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  7. ^ "First Ladies: New Original Series - Official Site". Showtime. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Shows A-Z - first lady, the on showtime". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 19, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 4.17.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 26, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 4.24.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 3, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.1.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 10, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.8.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Salem, Mitch (May 17, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 24, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.22.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Salem, Mitch (June 1, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.29.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Salem, Mitch (June 7, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.5.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (June 14, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.12.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ Petski, Denise (July 8, 2021). "'The First Lady': Kiefer Sutherland To Play Franklin D. Roosevelt On Showtime Anthology Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ Petski, Denise (July 23, 2021). "'The First Lady': Ellen Burstyn, Eliza Scanlen, Cailee Spaeny To Recur On Showtime Anthology Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  38. ^ Petski, Denise (July 30, 2021). "'The First Lady': Clea DuVall & Charlie Plummer Join Showtime Anthology Series As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  39. ^ Petski, Denise (August 9, 2021). "'The First Lady': Jackie Earle Haley, Maria Dizzia & Jeremy Bobb To Recur On Showtime Anthology Series". Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  40. ^ Baumgartner, Drew (August 24, 2021). "Showtime's Anthology Series 'The First Lady,' About Three Iconic White House Women, Will Premiere in 2022". Collider. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  41. ^ Beck, Taylor (February 25, 2021). "'First Lady' filming to close downtown Covington streets". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  42. ^ "The First Lady: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  43. ^ "The First Lady: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  44. ^ Valerie, Complex (June 16, 2022). "6th Annual Black Reel Television Awards Nominations Announced". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  45. ^ Petski, Denise (July 7, 2022). "'This Is Us', 'Succession', 'Severance', 'Ted Lasso' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  46. ^ "2022 Creative Arts Emmys: See full winners list". Entertainment Weekly. September 4, 2022. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  47. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 15, 2023). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  48. ^ Vary, Adam B.; Flam, Charna (February 25, 2023). "Angela Bassett, 'Abbott Elementary' Win Top Honors at 2023 NAACP Image Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
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