The First Lady is an American anthology drama television series created by Aaron Cooley which premiered on Showtime on April 17, 2022. 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's and Anderson's performances, as well as the costuming, set design, and themes, but criticism for its pacing, plot, and Davis's performance. In August 2022, the series was canceled after one season. Cast and characters Main 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, 44th president of the United States (2009–2017) Julian De Niro as young Barack Obama Dakota Fanning as Susan Ford Arlo Mertz as young Susan Ford Lily Rabe as Lorena Hickok Regina Taylor as Marian Shields Robinson Kiefer Sutherland as Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States (1933–1945) Charlie Plummer as young Franklin D. Roosevelt Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States (1974–1977) Jake Picking as young Gerald Ford Recurring Episodes Production Development 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. 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. That same month, Pamela Adlon and Rhys Wakefield joined the cast. On February 16, 2021, Aaron Eckhart joined the cast as President Gerald Ford. That same month, Judy Greer replaced Adlon due to scheduling conflicts. On February 22, 2021, it was announced that Gillian Anderson would portray Eleanor Roosevelt. Three days later, on February 25, 2021, it was announced that O. T. Fagbenle would portray President Barack Obama. Dakota Fanning was announced to have joined the cast as Susan Ford on March 2, 2021. On March 9, 2021, Lexi