‘The First Lady’: Photos Of The Cast Side-By-Side With The Real-Life Political Figures

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April 17, 2022 9:30AM EDT

‘The First Lady’ cast underwent amazing transformations to play the real-life political figures. See photos of Viola Davis and more side-by-side with the real people they’re playing in the new series.

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‘The First Lady’ Cast: Viola Davis As Michelle Obama

‘The First Lady’ Cast: Viola Davis As Michelle Obama
Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Shutterstock/Showtime

‘The First Lady’ is a new Showtime series that focuses on the lives of the First Ladies throughout U.S. history. The first season, premiering April 17, centers on Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Oscar-winner Viola Davis plays First Lady Michelle Obama. Michelle was First Lady during husband Barack Obama’s two terms as President of the United States from 2008 to 2016. Throughout the Obama administration, Michelle was a fierce advocate of education, nutrition, poverty awareness, and more.

In ‘The First Lady,’ Michelle Pfeiffer plays First Lady Betty Ford. Gillian Anderson plays First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Each season will revolve around different First Ladies throughout history. The cast of the first season also includes Kiefer Sutherland, Aaron Eckhart, Dakota Fanning, O.T. Fagbenle, and more. The series will air weekly on Showtime. See the amazing transformations of the cast by looking at them side-by-side with the real people in our gallery now.

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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Michelle Pfeiffer As Betty Ford

Michelle Pfeiffer As Betty Ford
Everett/Shutterstock/Showtime

Michelle Pfeiffer stars as First Lady Betty Ford in ‘The First Lady.’ Betty was the First Lady during her husband’s brief time in office following Richard Nixon’s resignation over the Watergate scandal.

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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Gillian Anderson As Eleanor Roosevelt

Gillian Anderson As Eleanor Roosevelt
Glasshouse Images/Shutterstock/Showtime

Gillian Anderson plays First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor was the First Lady from 1933 to 1945.

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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Lexi Underwood & Saniyya Sidney As Malia & Sasha Obama

Lexi Underwood & Saniyya Sidney As Malia & Sasha Obama
Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Shutterstock/Showtime

Lexi Underwood and Saniyya Sidney play Malia and Sasha Obama. Malia and Sasha lived in the White House during their father’s two terms in office. 

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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O.T. Fagbenle As Barack Obama

O.T. Fagbenle As Barack Obama
Pat Benic/UPI/ShutterstockShowtime

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ star O.T. Fagbenle plays President Barack Obama. Obama was the President of the United States from 2008 to 2016. He was the first African-American president of the United States.

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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Aaron Eckhart As Gerald Ford

Aaron Eckhart As Gerald Ford
Glasshouse Images/Shutterstock/Showtime

Aaron Eckhart plays President Gerald Ford. Ford was the President of the United States from 1974 to 1977, taking off after Richard Nixon resigned.

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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Dakota Fanning As Susan Ford

Dakota Fanning As Susan Ford
AP/Shutterstock/Showtime

Dakota Fanning plays Susan Ford in ‘The First Lady.’ Susan is the daughter of President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford. 

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM
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Kiefer Sutherland As Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Kiefer Sutherland As Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Everett/Shutterstock/Showtime

Kiefer Sutherland stars in ‘The First Lady’ as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Gillian Anderson plays First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. FDR was President of the United States from 1933 to 1945. 

April 15, 2022, 2:47PM