Viols Davis Set To Play Michelle Obama In New Series

Oscar winner Viola Davis is set to play former first lady Michelle Obama in a new series on Showtime.

The network ordered the series from Davis’s own production company JuVee Productions which she runs with her husband Julius Tennon. Davis and Tennon will work as executive producers in addition to Davis’s staring role. Showtime and Lionsgate will also be acting as co-producers.

The series is entitled First Ladies and will focus on Michelle Obama, Elanor Roosevelt, and Betty Ford. Roosevelt and Ford have not yet been casted. The president of entertainment for Showtime Networks, Jana Winograde, gave the following statement about the show.

“Throughout our history, presidents’ spouses have wielded remarkable influence, not only on the nation’s leaders but on the country itself. First Ladies’ fits perfectly within the Showtime wheelhouse of drama and politics, revealing how much personal relationships impact both domestic and global events. Having Viola Davis play Michelle Obama is a dream come true, and we couldn’t be luckier to have her extraordinary talent to help launch this series.”

Davis herself is also excited about the project , as she took to twitter to celebrate.

“Sooo proud!!! Honoring and elevating these powerful, worthy Queens with respect. Go #TeamJuVee!!! @JuVeeProds#Legacy#Significance#FirstLadies“

Replies to the tweet have shown similar levels of excitement amongst fans of the How To Get Away With Murder star. The announcement comes just as the immensly popular ABC series draws to a close.

First Ladies will be the first feature length TV series to feature a portrayal of Michelle Obama. The former first lady has however been portrayed in film in the past. The film Southside With You follows Barak and Michelle Obama on a fictionalised version of their first date in 1989.