The favorites of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Sex Education’ will play Eleanor Roosevelt in the anthology.
Gillian Anderson is facing another famous woman in history.
The crown and Sex education favorite was chosen to star alongside Viola Davis and Michelle Pfeiffer in the drama Showtime The first lady.
The anthology focuses on the personal and political lives of the country’s most enigmatic heroes, with the first season focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford (Pfeiffer) and Michelle Obama (Davis). Anderson, who most recently played Margaret Thatcher on Netflix’s The crown, will portray Roosevelt.
“Gillian Anderson is an actress of incredible reach and exquisite talent – she is the perfect choice to complete this powerful trio, who will occupy the roles of these iconic women,” said Amy Israel, executive vice president of Showtime. “It is inspiring to have Gillian, Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susanne Bier and Cathy Schulman at the forefront of The first lady. They really set the stage for a historic Showtime series. “
Roosevelt served as the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, which made her the oldest first lady in history. She was an American political figure, diplomat and activist. Controversial for her openness, especially on civil rights, she was the first presidential wife to give regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column and host a weekly radio program. She also pressured the United States to join and support the United Nations and became its first delegate.
Author Aaron Cooley (Four seats: a Supreme Court thriller) created the series and will write and produce executives alongside Davis and her husband / JuVee Productions partner Julius Tennon, Oscar winner Cathy Schulman and her Welle Entertainment banner (Beat), Jeff Gaspin (LA’s Finest) and Brad Kaplan of Link Entertainment (Mr. Church) The series is a co-production between Showtime and Lionsgate Television. Andrew Wang and Susanne Bier, the last of whom will direct, also executive producers.
Anderson joins a cast that also includes Judy Greer as Nancy Howe, 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.
Represented by UTA, Anderson’s credits include X-Files, Fall and The Last King of Scotland.