As Viola Davis prepares to wrap up her run on ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder, the actress has set up her next series role. It has been announced that Showtime has given a series order to the anthology series First Ladies, with Davis set to play Michelle Obama in the first season.
First Ladies originally entered development last August and while Showtime is usually slow and methodical about prepping new material, the turnaround on this project was relatively quick for the cable network. Showtime ordered three scripts for the anthology series before giving out today’s series order.
The show will focus on the personal and political lives of the country’s most enigmatic heroes. Season one will feature Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama. Davis is the only performer cast as of now but a lot of that has to do with the fact that she’s executive producing the project alongside her husband Julius Tennon via their JuVee Productions banner. Author Aaron Cooley created the series and will write and executive produce alongside Davis & Tennnon as well as Oscar Winner Cathy Schulman (Crash), Jeff Gaspin and Link Entertainment’s Brad Kaplan.
First Ladies arrives as Showtime is losing key signature series that shaped their network. Homeland is set to wrap up its run and fans were left baffled by the news that they decided to cancel Ray Donovan yesterday without giving it a final eighth season. Shameless will also end its 11-season run as it still maintains the title as their highest-rated scripted series.
Viola Davis is probably one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation working today. During her six-season run on HTGAWM, Davis earned five Emmy nominations and took home one win as well as a Golden Globe and SAG Award. Davis is also a three-time Oscar nominee, winning for her third nomination for her Best Supporting Actress turn in Fences.
