The First Lady

This anthology series explores the lives of three distinct and influential First Ladies of the United States: Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama. It delves into their personal and political journeys, highlighting the challenges they faced within the White House and their profound impact on American history. The series showcases their individual struggles and triumphs as they navigated complex personal lives alongside their public roles.

The series received a mixed to negative reception from critics. While the performances of the lead actresses, particularly Viola Davis and Michelle Pfeiffer, were often praised, the show was frequently criticized for its unfocused narrative, uneven pacing, and a lack of depth in exploring its subjects. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the ambitious scope and the portrayals of the First Ladies, while others found it failed to live up to its potential.

• Praised for its stellar lead performances, especially Viola Davis as Michelle Obama and Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford.

• Criticized for a sprawling, unfocused narrative that struggles to connect its three distinct storylines.

• Many found the show to be overly ambitious and lacking in the depth needed to truly explore the complexities of its subjects.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the performances of the main cast and the ambition of the series to tell these women's stories. However, many reviews indicated disappointment with the storytelling, citing a lack of focus and a failure to fully engage with the historical context or the personal lives of the First Ladies.

Viola Davis initially turned down the role of Michelle Obama because she felt she was not physically similar enough to the former First Lady.