The cast of Showtime’s anthology series The First Lady just keeps getting bigger and bigger, with Regina Taylor coming on board to star.
The 60-year-old Golden Globe-winning actress has signed on to play the series regular role of Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama.
Viola Davis has already signed on to play Michelle Obama, with Deadline reporting that Saniyya Sidney, Julian DeNiro and Evan Parke are playing recurring roles.
New role: The cast of Showtime’s anthology series The First Lady just keeps getting bigger and bigger, with Regina Taylor coming on board to star
Daughter and mother: The 60-year-old Golden Globe-winning actress has signed on to play the series regular role of Marian Shields Robinson (right), the mother of Michelle Obama (left)
Viola as Michelle: Viola Davis has already signed on to play Michelle Obama, with Deadline reporting that Saniyya Sidney, Julian DeNiro and Evan Parke are playing recurring roles
The First Lady is an anthology series that focuses on the lives of the women at the heart of the White House, with the first season focusing on Obama (Davis), Eleanor Roosevelt (Gillian Anderson) and Betty Ford (Michelle Pfieffer).
Taylor’s Marian Shields Robinson is described as, ‘a practical, forthright and honest member of the Obama family who encourages her children and grandchildren to behave honestly and remain grounded, even while living in the White House.’
She will be joined by Sidney, who is recurring as Sasha Obama, Barack and Michelle’s youngest daughter.
Anthology: The First Lady is an anthology series that focuses on the lives of the women at the heart of the White House, with the first season focusing on Obama (Davis), Eleanor Roosevelt (Gillian Anderson) and Betty Ford (Michelle Pfieffer)
Sasha is described as having a, ‘pure spirit and empathy for children everywhere inspires her parents to stay focused on American youth.’
Also joining the cast is newcomer Julian DeNiro, who will portray a young Barack Obama, during his young adult years as an, ’emerging politician and passionate community organizer in Chicago.’
It was that summer, while working as a law intern for Sidley and Austin, where Obama met and married Michelle Robinson.
Family: Sasha is described as having a, ‘pure spirit and empathy for children everywhere inspires her parents to stay focused on American youth’
The final role announced on Tuesday is Evan Parke’s SS Allen Taylor, Michelle Obama’s first and longtime security agent, who became such a close friend Obama has said she considers him a brother.
They all join previously-announced cast members Lexi Underwood as Malia Obama, O-T Fagbenle as Barack Obama and Derek Cecil as Donald Rumsfeld.
The cast is rounded out by Aya Cash, Jake Picking, Cayden Boyd, Marc Hills, Ben Cook, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Thomas E. Sullivan and Patrice Johnson Chevannes.
Happy family: The final role announced on Tuesday is Evan Parke’s SS Allen Taylor, Michelle Obama’s first and longtime security agent, who became such a close friend Obama has said she considers him a brother
Aaron Cooley created The First Lady and will executive produce with Davis and Susanne Bier, who will direct.
Cooley will write several of the episodes, with other executive producers including Cathy Schulman, Julius Tennon, Andrew Wang, Jeff Gaspin and Brad Kaplan.
Taylor won a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations for her role as Lilly in I’ll Fly Away in the 1990s and she recently played Hattie in HBO’s Lovecraft Country.
Producer Viola: Aaron Cooley created The First Lady and will executive produce with Davis and Susanne Bier, who will direct
Globe winner: Taylor won a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations for her role as Lilly in I’ll Fly Away in the 1990s and she recently played Hattie in HBO’s Lovecraft Country