Viola Davis Reveals What Michelle Obama Said to Her Ahead of Her Playing The First Lady in New Showtime Series

Viola Davis recently discussed her role starring as Michelle Obama on the upcoming Showtime series “The First Lady.”

The 56-year-old actress spoke at Deadline’s Contenders TV event about her desire to “honor” our Forever First Lady, with her acting skills.

“What’s dramatic about Michelle Obama?” she asked, re-stating the question that was asked. “I’ll tell you what’s dramatic. She is a Black woman and the first Black woman in the White House built by slaves, someone who literally was perceived to be overly masculine, not feminine, angry, hostile, and I will share one thing that she said to me.”

She then captured even more of the audience’s attention when she said she would reveal one thing Mrs. Obama had said to her.

“She said, ‘I’m not even an angry person.’ Isn’t that something? Listen, I am sort of an angry person, but she’s not. And so what I wanted to do was honor her and not the perception of what Black women are supposed to be.”

“The First Lady” series will tell the story of White House leadership through the perspectives of former first ladies, including Obama; Eleanor Roosevelt, which will be played by Gillian Anderson; and Betty Ford, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer.

The 10-episode Showtime series premieres April 17.