Witness the stories of three first ladies of the United States and their journey to Washington, DC in Showtime’s The First Lady.
Traditionally, books and newspapers were the only sources for people to learn about influential individuals around the world. However, as the decades have passed and the means of communication have shifted, the content produced in recent years has become powerful enough to present such important individuals on a live on-screen adaptation version for the viewers and their admirers to learn about their personal lives, struggles, and triumphs.
Digital streaming services have been on a roll, providing us with content from a number of genres, offering users a wide selection to choose from based on their preferences. Documentaries and drama series are just two of the genres that people enjoy watching to learn new things and expand their knowledge. Showtime is simply one of the popular streaming platforms that are following the trend of producing such dramas and miniseries.
This year, they have a completely new series for their viewers titled, The First Lady. The First Lady is an American anthology drama television series created by Aaron Cooley. He worked for more than ten years with director Joel Schumacher and has authored numerous screenplays.
It was revealed in 2019 that the show would be a three-part drama series with hour-long episodes. Every episode will be directed by Susanne Bier. This is a show you must see if you are a political junkie, a drama enthusiast, or simply interested in learning about early America’s past.
Get all the details on how to watch The First Lady below.
The First Lady Release Date
The First Lady was released exclusively on Showtime on April 17, 2022. The next episodes will be premiering on a weekly basis every Sunday until the final episode.
The First Lady Episodes
The series will include 10 episodes with a total runtime estimated to be approx 50-60 mins which will be confirmed once the episodes premiere so viewers should wait to know these details.
The First Lady Episode Guide
The episodes titles along with the release dates are stated below for your convenience to understand the schedule of the series.
- S1E1: “That White House” – April 17, 2022
- S1E2: “Voices Carry” – April 24, 2022
- S1E3: “Please Allow Me” – May 1, 2022
- S1E4: “Cracked Pot” – May 8, 2022
- S1E5: “See Saw” – May 15, 2022
- S1E6: “Shout Out” – May 22, 2022
- S1E7: “Nadir” – May 29, 2022
- S1E8: TBA – June 5, 2022
- S1E9: TBA – June 12, 2022
- S1E10: TBA – June 19, 2022
The First Lady Plot
In short, the drama introduces each of the first ladies during pivotal points in their husbands’ careers, delving into their personal histories through flashbacks to reveal how they grew to be the women they were while living and working in the White House.
The show also highlights the essential part that each had to play in their husband’s achievement by providing insights into their intimate connections with their own president. It also discusses the specific difficulties of putting the country and your husband ahead of your own personal needs.
Each of the first women was influential in assisting their husbands’ election to power, and they are all in disbelief that once in the Oval Office, they are asked to take a back seat.
All three starring ladies play their first ladies with precision and polish, representing the roles and the particular attributes they shared with the world as well as their private lives.
This series will lift the lid on the personal and political lives of three distinct, enigmatic women, charting their paths to Washington through interconnecting tales with revealing candor, with season one concentrating on Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The First Lady Trailer
In the trailer, we can see an all-star ensemble, that offers us a taste of how it will explore the lives of these great women, each of whom made their own mark as first ladies, and the extremely influential men (Gerald Ford, Barack Obama, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.) in their lives who they supported in the ups and downs of the journey during their presidential run.
The First Lady Cast
The prominent cast members of the series include:
- Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, first lady (2009–2017)
- Jayme Lawson as young Michelle Obama
- Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, first lady (1974–1977)
- Kristine Froseth as young Betty Ford
- Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady (1933–1945)
- Eliza Scanlen as young Eleanor Roosevelt
- O. T. Fagbenle as Barack Obama
- Julian De Niro as young Barack Obama
- Dakota Fanning as Susan Ford
- Lily Rabe as Lorena Hickok
- Regina Taylor as Marian Shields Robinson
- Kiefer Sutherland as Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Charlie Plummer as young Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford
- Jake Picking as young Gerald Ford
- Judy Greer as Nancy Howe
Some of the recurring cast members include:
- Clea DuVall as Malvina Thompson
- Jackie Earle Haley as Louis McHenry Howe
- Kate Mulgrew as Susan Sher
- Derek Cecil as Donald Rumsfeld
- Michael Potts as Fraser Robinson III
- Rhys Wakefield as Dick Cheney
- Ellen Burstyn as Sara Delano Roosevelt
- Lexi Underwood as Malia Obama
- Cayden Boyd as Michael Ford
- Marc Hills as Jack Ford
- Ben Cook as Steven Ford
- Leslie Kritzer as Martha Graham
The Official Poster of The First Lady
The First Lady Season 1 Details
According to the official Showtime site, “A revelatory reframing of American leadership through the lens of the First Ladies. Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, this series delves deep into the Ladies’ personal and political lives. Exploring everything from their journeys to Washington, family life, and world-changing political contributions, the impact of the White House’s women is no longer hidden from view.”
Where can you stream The First Lady?
The First Lady is available to stream on Showtime. Showtime’s streaming platform can be subscribed to for $11 per month or tried for free for 30 days.
Take a look at some of the fan’s reactions
Watching The First Lady on Showtime. Viola Davis looks great as Michelle Obama and the actress who played Laura Bush, looks just like her! I loved watching the pride on the faces of the Black staff, who Mrs. Obama greeted, and acknowledged!
— Breaking News with Lynda D. Brown NFT (@LyndaDBrown) April 18, 2022
#TheFirstLady achieve! The supporting players turn in sublime performances as well! Well done, Mr. @CooleyA and team! Stream and don’t forget to watch tonight the premiere of The First Lady on #Showtime!! 👏🏽 👏🏽 🙌🏾
— Derrick Currie (@1smoothDC) April 17, 2022
Where was the series being filmed?
It was reported on February 25, 2021, that filming and other production aspects commenced in Covington, Georgia.
Will there be The First Lady Season 2?
As of currently, there are no updates on a possible renewal of the drama series, as the first season has only recently begun to air worldwide. As a result, we must wait until the end of the series to learn anything about a prospective renewal of this series, as well as the critical reaction and viewership, which will define the series’ faith.
The overall reception of The First Lady
Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 50 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating “mixed or average reviews”.
According to the website, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 43% approval rating with an average rating of 6.1/10, based on 21 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.”
According to IMDb, the series has received a grade of 5.5 out of 10 with 257 votes which will gradually change with the release of more episodes to determine the final score.
The First Lady Official Synopsis
The First Lady is an American episodic drama that follows the lives of three powerful first ladies who have made great contributions to America. This series is being told through the perspectives of Betty Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Michelle Obama giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and backgrounds of these three amazing women and their powerful spouses.
Check out the some more exclusive stills from The First Lady
You can watch The First Lady exclusively on Showtime and let us know what you think of the series thus far in the comments.