Viola Davis is attached to play former first lady Michelle Obama in a new scripted series in the works at Showtime.
Titled “First Ladies,” the project will explore the public and personal lives of presidents’ wives throughout American history. In addition to Obama, the first season, should the project move forward, would also center on Eleanor Roosevelt and Betty Ford.
Aaron Cooley will write and executive produce the Lionsgate Television project, which has received a three-script order from the network.
In addition to starring in the series, Davis will executive produce alongside Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions. Cathy Schulman of Welle Entertainment, Jeff Gaspin of Gaspin Media, and Brad Kaplan of LINK Entertainment also executive produce.
The role would be Davis’ first starring TV role after the conclusion of “How to Get Away With Murder” this coming season. She is next set to star alongside Chadwick Boseman in a Netflix film adaptation of the August Wilson play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” as well as reprise her role in the upcoming “The Suicide Squad” sequel.