If you’re Gillian Anderson and you are coming off an acclaimed role as Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown,” why not cross the Atlantic and take on another political figure next? And apparently, that’s exactly what the actress is set to do, as she is the latest lead to join the upcoming Showtime anthology series, “The First Lady.”
According to THR, Anderson is set to play Eleanor Roosevelt in the upcoming political anthology, “The First Lady.” In the first season, Anderson will take on the role of Roosevelt, a trailblazing political figure that served the longest as First Lady in US history and would become the most outspoken Presidential wife in history. The first season also is set to cover the stories of Betty Ford and Michelle Obama, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer and Viola Davis, respectively.
“Gillian Anderson is an actress of incredible range and exquisite talent — she is the perfect choice to complete this powerhouse trio, who will inhabit the roles of these iconic women,” said Amy Israel, Showtime VP of Scripted Programming. “It’s inspiring to have Gillian, Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susanne Bier, and Cathy Schulman at the forefront of ‘The First Lady.’ They have truly set the stage for a landmark Showtime series.”
The first season of “The First Lady” is set to be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Susanne Bier, who is coming off the hit HBO mystery thriller “The Undoing.” She is also the filmmaker behind Netflix’s “Bird Box,” and the acclaimed series, “The Night Manager.” With what she’s shown with her TV projects, there’s no doubt “The First Lady” will be appointment TV when it hits Showtime.
In addition to Anderson, Davis, and Pfeiffer, the cast for “The First Lady” Season 1 includes Judy Greer as Nancy Howe, Aaron Eckhart as President Gerald Ford, Jayme Lawson as young Michelle Obama, Kristine Forseth as young Betty Ford, and Rhys Wakefield as Vice President Dick Cheney.