Showtime Orders Viola Davis Drama ‘First Ladies’

Showtime has greenlit hour-long drama “First Ladies,” starring and executive produced by Oscar, Emmy and Tony winner Viola Davis, who will play former first lady Michelle Obama. Produced by Showtime and Lionsgate Television, the series will also be executive produced by Julius Tennon, Oscar winner Cathy Schulman (“Crash”), Jeff Gaspin (“Rhythm + Flow”), Brad Kaplan (“Mr. Church”) and author Aaron Cooley (“Four Seats: A Thriller of the Supreme Court”), who created the series and will write.

The logline: In the East Wing of the White House, 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. This series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of these enigmatic women, with season one focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama.

“First Ladies” s executive produced by Cathy Schulman via Welle Entertainment, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon via JuVee Productions, Jeff Gaspin via Gaspin Media, Brad Kaplan via LINK Entertainment and Aaron Cooley.