Susanne Bier has signed on to direct the anthology series, which also stars Viola Davis as Michelle Obama.
Showtime added a second first-rate actress to her anthology series The first lady.
Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford on the series, which will also star Viola Davis as Michelle Obama. Emmy winner Susanne Bier (The night manager, the undo) also signed a contract to direct all episodes of The first lady – which is produced by Showtime and Lionsgate Television – and will be an executive producer.
“Michelle Pfeiffer and Susanne Bier teamed up with the brilliant and incomparable Viola Davis to bring the remarkable stories of these women to an urgent, engaging and long-awaited focus,” said Amy Israel, showtime scripted vp executive. “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 and behind the camera, we couldn’t be more moved – especially in this unique moment for our nation – with the powerful promise of The first lady. “
The first lady will focus on Michelle Obama, Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt and the roles they played in making impactful and sometimes changing decisions during their time at the White House.
Betty Ford was the first lady from 1974 to 1977 during the presidency of Gerald Ford. She took an active role in social policy and was one of the most open and politically active first ladies in history. She also raised awareness of addiction and substance abuse by making her own alcoholism public and co-founded the addiction treatment center named after her.
The role will be Pfeiffer’s first regular in the series since the beginning of his career. Recent Oscar and Emmy nominee film credits include Ant-man and the wasp, french out and Murder on the Orient Express. She is represented by CAA, Management 360 and Hirsch Wallerstein. Bier is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Aaron Cooley created the series and is writing several episodes. He is executive producer with Cathy Schulman, through Welle Entertainment, Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions, Andrew Wang, Jeff Gaspin and Brad Kaplan.
Schulman and Gaspin helped set up the project after reading a Cooley spec script about former First Lady Edith Wilson.