Following the recent addition of Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn, Showtime continues to expand the already stacked ensemble cast of The First Lady, with Deadline bringing word that Tony Award nominee Lily Rabe has signed on to join the upcoming anthology drama. She was most recently seen in Amazon’s Underground Railroad series, and will also next be seen in George Clooney’s upcoming coming-of-age feature The Tender Bar.
The American Horror Story actress is set to portray the role of Lorena “Hick,” Hickock, a pioneering American journalist who became America’s best-known female reporter in 1932. She was also known as a close confidante and mentor to Eleanor Roosevelt, who will be portrayed by Gillian Anderson. The nature of their relationship has become the subject of much debate, especially after 3000 of their mutual letters were uncovered that hinted a possible affair between the two accomplished women.
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The First Lady will be led by Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt along with Aaron Eckhart as President Gerald Ford, O-T Fagbenle as Barack Obama, and Kiefer Sutherland as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Joining them are Dakota Fanning, Jayme Lawson, Kristine Froseth, Eliza Scanlen, Cailee Spaeny, Judy Greer, Rhys Wakefield, Regina Taylor, Lexi Underwood, Aya Cash, and more.
The series is set in the East Wing of the White House, where many of history’s most impactful and world-changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America’s charismatic, complex and dynamic first ladies. The series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of America’s most iconic First Ladies. The first season will be focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama.
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The First Lady is created and written by Aaron Cooley from an idea that originated with Cathy Schulman, who was inspired by Cooley’s spec script about Lady Bird Johnson. Schulman is executive producing and will also serve as the showrunner. Golden Globe winner Susanne Bier (The Undoing) has also boarded the project to serve as its director and executive producer.
