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After only one season and a range of criticism, the cancellation of the series “First Lady” was confirmed. The series told the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama, played by Gillian Anderson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Viola Davis respectively. The production premiered in April 2022 and featured ten episodes.
“Showtime can confirm that the anthology series ‘The First Lady’ will not be moving forward with another season,” a spokesperson told Variety late Monday.
“We would like to applaud the artistry and commitment of our showrunner Cathy Schulman, director Susanne Bier, their fellow executive producers, our amazing cast, led by executive producer Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Gillian Anderson, and our studio partner Lionsgate for their dedicated work in telling the unique stories of three remarkable leaders.” the production company spokesperson added.
As its name suggests, the series told the stories of these three women in turn and has a 41% rating among critics on the Rotten Tomatoes platform, where some users commented that the production did not have “compelling narratives” for its leads.
Criticism of “The First Lady”
The New Yorker wrote, “The Showtime miniseries, starring Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Gillian Anderson, manages to make life as a White House wife seem both cosmic and forgettable.”
Comments about the plot and the actresses were not long in coming. For example, one user confessed that “I really enjoy this series. My favorites are Gillian Anderson and Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayals. Viola Davis’s portrayal annoys me because she purses her lips constantly along with odd facial expressions that I don’t ever recall Michelle Obama ever doing.”
As for the timeline jumps, another user commented, “I would have preferred watching more of a single timeline. In fact, 3 separate series, starting with Eleanor, then Betty, and lastly Michelle would have been better. Viola Davis always pursing her lips was extremely distracting.”
Viola Davis referred in April to her portrayal of Obama and said that playing her is “almost impossible,” due to the high degree of worldwide popularity she boasts. “You’re doing too much or not enough,” Viola added at the time.
“Critics absolutely serve no purpose. And I’m not saying that to be nasty, either. They always feel like they’re telling you something that you don’t know. Somehow that you’re living a life where you’re surrounded by people who lie to you and ‘I’m going to be the person that leans in and tells you the truth.’ So it gives them an opportunity to be cruel to you,” he said of the criticism.
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]