She recently played a formidable woman, Margret Thatcher, in Netflix’s hit The Crown.
And Gillian Anderson is now set to portray yet another historical figure as she was cast as Eleanor Roosevelt in the new Showtime series The First Lady.
The 52-year-old actress will star alongside Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Viola Davis as Michelle Obama in the anthology series on presidential wives.
New role: Gillian Anderson should portray yet another historical figure when cast as Eleanor Roosevelt in Showtime’s new series, The First Lady
Discussing Gillian’s cast, Amy Israel, Showtime’s executive vice president of scripted programming, said: ‘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. ‘
She continued: ‘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.”
Icon: Eleanor, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, which made her the oldest first lady in history (photo in 1962)
The series, created by Aaron Cooley, is described as a reshaping of American leadership, told through the eyes of women at the center of the White House.
It will reveal the personal and political lives of the first ladies of all history, with the first season focused on the wives of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gerald Ford and Barack Obama.
Eleanor, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, which made her the oldest first lady in history.
Co-star: Gillian will be in good company after it was revealed last month that Michelle Pfeiffer signed on to star as Betty Ford in the limited series
She was an American political figure, activist and diplomat, known for her outspoken views, especially in relation to civil rights.
Although she was the first presidential wife to preside at regular press conferences, she presented her own weekly radio program and wrote her own column in the newspaper.
Gillian is nominated for a Golden Globe for her interpretation of another 20th century political icon, Margaret Thatcher, so she will undoubtedly have no problem putting herself in Eleanor’s shoes.
The actress, who currently stars in Sex Education, is perhaps best known as FBI special agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, who starred alongside David Duchovy (Fox Mulder).
Female perspective: while joining Viola Davis as Michelle Obama on the series, that she is also executive producer with her husband Julius Tennon
Good choice: ‘Gillian Anderson is an actress of incredible reach and exquisite talent – she is the perfect choice to complete this powerful trio’
Gillian will be in good company after it was revealed last month that Michelle Pfeiffer, 62, signed on to star in the limited series.
While they join Viola Davis, 55, in the series, she is also an executive producer with her husband Julius Tennon, 67.
Susanne Bier, whose credits include The Night Manager and The Undoing, will be directing the episodes.
Showtime’s Amy said earlier about the signings: “Michelle Pfeiffer and Susanne Bier have teamed up with brilliant and unparalleled Viola Davis to bring the remarkable stories of these women to an urgent, engaging and long-awaited focus.”
Inspiring: Eleanor was the first presidential wife to preside at regular press conferences, present her own weekly radio program and write her own column in the newspaper (portrayed with President Roosevelt in 1941)
She continued: ‘Michelle brings authenticity, vulnerability and complexity to all of her roles, and Susanne is a visionary director who commands the screen with fierce honesty and a unique visual style.
“With these formidable artists in front of and behind the camera, we couldn’t be more excited – especially at this unique time for our nation – about the powerful promise of the First Lady.”
The stellar cast also includes Judy Greer as Nancy Howe, Aaron Eckhart as President Gerald Ford and Kristine Forseth as young Betty Ford.
While Jayme Lawson will play young Michelle Obama, Rhys Wakefield will play Vice President Dick Cheney.
Iron Lady: Gillian is nominated for a Golden Globe for her interpretation of another 20th century political icon, Margaret Thatcher, so she will undoubtedly have no problem entering Eleanor’s shoes.