Dakota Fanning and Viola Davis' Overlooked Series Explores a Forgotten Part of U.S. History

Throughout history, American presidents have dominated the spotlight in both politics and pop culture. Television and film have revisited the legacies of presidents in films like Lincoln, LBJ and W., reinforcing the idea that the story of the White House begins and ends with the man in office. Occasionally, a film like Jackie breaks through by centering a First Lady, but far too often the women closest to power are still treated as supporting players, reduced to symbols of grace and loyalty, rather than fully realized figures. In reality, many First Ladies were unsung forces in their own right, shaping public perception, influencing policy behind the scenes, and absorbing the personal cost of political life.

That’s what makes Showtime’s overlooked anthology series The First Lady such a standout. Told across 10 episodes, the show doesn’t simply revisit famous presidencies. It reframes the White House through the women expected to represent an entire nation while often being denied full control of their own narrative. By centering three First Ladies across different eras and tracing the personal and political compromises that defined their time in power, The First Lady offers a gripping look at an essential part of U.S. history that film and television rarely explores with this kind of nuance.

The Showtime Anthology Series Follows Three First Ladies From Different Eras

Created by Aaron Cooley and directed by Susanne Bier, The First Lady is a political anthology drama that uses a three-timeline structure to explore the private lives and public roles of three iconic First Ladies, anchored by a trio of powerhouse performances. Viola Davis plays Michelle Obama, balancing strength and frustration as one of the most famous women in America while navigating the intense scrutiny placed on the first Black family in the White House. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Betty Ford, who battles personal demons while fighting to be taken seriously in the wake of Watergate and the crisis surrounding Gerald Ford’s presidency. Gillian Anderson portrays Eleanor Roosevelt as a woman struggling to be heard within her marriage even as she works to shape the nation’s moral conscience.

Rather than isolating each story within its own era, The First Lady cross-cuts between timelines to draw clear lines across decades. While the series takes some creative license, the emotional truth of these women’s strength and frustration remains consistent throughout. The show’s appeal also extends beyond its first-lady casting, with strong supporting performances including Kiefer Sutherland as a charming, calculating Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dakota Fanning as Susan Ford, who adds emotional texture to Betty’s storyline by highlighting the generational cost of public life. The ensemble also includes O-T Fagbenle as Barack Obama and Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford, reinforcing the series’ central idea that the presidency is never a one-person job, even if history often treats it that way.

'The First Lady's Performances Are the Reason It's a Must-Watch

With these First Ladies, and so many others throughout history, it’s hard not to feel like most of them deserve their own series entirely. Some of the most pivotal moments in American politics become even more fascinating when viewed through the perspective of the person closest to the President, and that's exactly what The First Lady does. These women were expected to remain graceful and agreeable at all times, yet they often worked as unsung forces behind the scenes, shaping public narratives and influencing the men making the most consequential decisions in the country.

Eleanor Roosevelt, in particular, is portrayed as the political force history has since recognized her to be. The series frames her as the blueprint for what a modern First Lady could become, someone who used activism and moral clarity to expand the role beyond ceremony. Gillian Anderson brings her signature gravitas to the part, and while Roosevelt was physically imposing in real life, Anderson’s performance still captures her strength through sheer presence and conviction.

Michelle Pfeiffer Brilliantly Shows the Devastating Reality of Being a First Lady

Michelle Pfeiffer’s take on Betty Ford is similarly compelling, emphasizing the emotional toll of being both vulnerable and relentlessly scrutinized. The series highlights Betty’s openness about mental health and addiction as something radical for its time, and it makes clear that her legacy stands apart from Gerald Ford’s presidency. Scenes like Betty’s furious reaction to Ford pardoning Nixon are among the season’s most electric moments, revealing the rage and heartbreak she has been conditioned to keep to herself. Some of the show’s most impactful beats happen behind closed doors, in private quarters and in tense conversations that may not be strictly historical record, but feel emotionally truthful to the reality of these women’s lives.

Viola Davis' Michelle Obama Portrayal Reminds Us That the Struggles First Ladies Face Continues Today

Viola Davis brings her powerhouse presence to Michelle Obama, capturing both her strength and the crushing pressure of living under a constant national spotlight. The series doesn’t shy away from the ways race and sexism shaped the scrutiny she faced, or how exhausting that burden could be. The demand to be perfect and inspiring without ever appearing threatening, to remain endlessly composed while also raising two daughters, becomes its own form of emotional labor. By placing Michelle alongside Eleanor and Betty, The First Lady argues that the “forgotten” part of U.S. history is not a single event, but the ongoing reality that women have long held influence alongside powerful husbands — even when they rarely receive credit for it.

Although viewers embraced The First Lady, the series was unfortunately cancelled after just one season. Still, it’s worth seeking out for its compelling look at three iconic women and the powerhouse performances that bring their stories to life. The anthology format was built for expansion, and its cancellation means missing out on other eras and First Ladies who also deserved the spotlight. Even so, The First Lady remains an absorbing, often moving watch that reframes the American history we think we know, proving these women were far more than just presidents’ wives.