Comparing The Cast Of "The First Lady" With Their Real-Life Counterparts
The show highlights the lives of three First Ladies.
Showtime's The First Lady turns White House history into a star-driven drama, and the cast list alone makes it hard to look away.
The series follows Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt as they navigate life beside some of the most powerful men in American politics, while also shaping history in their own right. With Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Gillian Anderson leading the way, the show leans into both the glamour and the pressure of life in the East Wing.
From there, the comparisons get even more interesting. Here is how the actors stack up against the real people they portray.
Through the eyes of these three women, the show examines the events of their respective husbands' administrations.
Jackson Lee Davis / Jackson Lee Davis/SHOWTIMEA photo of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
New York Daily News Archive / NY Daily News via Getty ImagesKiefer Sutherland taking on the role of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Showtime
Eleanor Roosevelt in real life
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Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt. She has now portrayed a prominent historical character for the second time recently with this series.
Daniel Mcfadden / Daniel McFadden/SHOWTIME
Laura Bush in real life.
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Kathleen Garrett plays Laura Bush in Showtime's drama series.
Showtime
Michelle Obama in real life.
Gilbert Carrasquillo / FilmMagic
And if you think dramatizing real relationships gets messy, JFK’s grandson slammed Ryan Murphy’s “Love Story” over his late uncle’s relationship.
Viola Davis plays Michelle Obama in the series.
Davis reportedly felt pressured while playing Obama because hers is the only character who is still alive today.
Showtime
President Barack Obama
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O-T Fagbenle plays Barack Obama in the show.
Jackson Lee Davis / Jackson Lee Davis/SHOWTIME
Gerald Ford
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This is Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford.
Murray Close / Murray Close/SHOWTIME
This is the real Betty Ford.
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Michelle Pfeiffer playing Betty Ford in the series.
According to Pfeiffer, she will never take on the role of a real person again.
It's just very, very weighty. And it's with you all the time.
Murray Close / Murray Close/SHOWTIME
Susan Ford in real life.
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Dakota Fanning taking on the role of Susan Ford.
Showtime
Donald H. Rumsfeld
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Derek Cecil plays Donald H. Rumsfeld in The First Lady.
Showtime
Dick Cheney in real life.
Bettmann / Bettmann Archive
This is Rhys Wakefield as Dick Cheney.
Murray Close / Murray Close/SHOWTIME
The First Lady is a 10-episode drama series by Aaron Cooley and executive produced by Cathy Schulman.
The show, which premiered on April 17, 2022, is an impressive reimagining of American leadership portrayed through the eyes of the presidents' respective wives. It is set in the East Wing.
Viewers will witness the groundbreaking and consequential decisions made by America's charismatic First Ladies behind closed doors. The first season follows three enigmatic women, reflecting on their lives as presidents' wives in Washington.
What do you think of the performances of the three women highlighted by the show?
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