The First Lady: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes
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      Season 1 – The First Lady

      2022 Drama List
      41% 46 Reviews Tomatometer 57% 50+ Ratings Audience Score A revelatory reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. Read More Read Less
      The First Lady — Season 1

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      Critics Consensus

      Despite formidable stars and a rich history to draw from, a lack of focus and shallow characterization make The First Lady second-rate television.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Lucas G Unbelievably cheesy, stiff and phony, the most propagandistic script ever that will make your eyes roll like never before. Such a stellar cast eclipsed by obvious wigs and cringey characterisation that may be good for a polished SNL chapter but not for a show that aims to be historical (being Davis and Anderson specially uncomfortable to watch, Michelle Pfeiffer does what she can) Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/27/24 Full Review Sherissa R I didn't know much about these First Ladies. The acting is superb. Enjoying the storylines. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review dani m Maybe it's because I love history but I found the show very entertaining and interesting. The performances of the three leads were all outstanding! Michelle Pfieffer became Betty Ford to me. If there was not a cohesive theme between the different stories and time periods, I think that's because that was the theme. These were three very different women from very different time periods in our country's history but they all found a way to make a difference and put their stamp on a role that they found themselves thrust into. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review arthur h The representation is worth watching, as are the effort put in by the cast. The wide focus on the LGBT-narrative is refreshing and overdue. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Betty Ford's story has by far the most depth and emotion, as well as being the most enjoyable to watch by a mile. The Roosevelt story has some good moments but isn't nearly as engaging. Sadly the Obama era was almost unwatchable — the impressions were just too distracting. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review cris m Great series, eye-opening, portraying strong and empowered women. A must see to for the audience. Kudos on taking these amazing life stories and examples mainstream. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Apr 17, 2022 That White House Eleanor commits to Franklin's uncertain political future; Betty unexpectedly becomes second lady upon Jerry's nomination; Michelle wrestles with the consequences of Barack becoming the first Black president of the United States. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 24, 2022 Voices Carry Eleanor presses Franklin to act more boldly against the Great Depression; after Nixon's resignation, Betty becomes first lady days before a scheduled state dinner; Michelle faces opposition from members of Barack's transition team. Details Episode 3 Aired May 1, 2022 Please Allow Me Young Eleanor makes her societal debut in New York and meets her ambitious cousin, Franklin; young Betty, trapped in an abusive marriage, finds herself pursued by hotshot lawyer Jerry; young Michelle trains an idealistic summer intern named Barack. Details Episode 4 Aired May 8, 2022 Cracked Pot Franklin's marital indiscretions push Eleanor to socialize with more politically active women; a stubborn shoulder injury begins Betty's troubled history with pain medication; Michelle vows to put Chicago's inadequate health care system to task. Details Episode 5 Aired May 15, 2022 See Saw Eleanor holds the White House's first all-female press conference and grows closer to journalist Lorena "Hick" Hickock; Betty publicly announces her breast cancer diagnosis; Michelle prompts new legislation with her healthy school lunch program. Details Episode 6 Aired May 22, 2022 Shout Out Eleanor moves Hick into the White House while Franklin has the FBI spy on her; Betty works to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which aggravates Jerry's staff; Michelle pushes Barack to support marriage equality despite his reelection concerns. Details Episode 7 Aired May 29, 2022 Nadir Eleanor doubles down on her efforts to confront racism; Betty helps Jerry secure the Republican nomination for reelection while her problems with addiction worsen; Michelle grieves after gun violence tragedies and advocates for legislative action. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 5, 2022 Punch Perfect Eleanor forces Franklin's hand in assisting Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany; while Jerry spends his retirement on the road, Betty seeks out new party companions at home; despite Barack's hesitations, Michelle directly speaks out about race. Details Episode 9 Aired Jun 12, 2022 Rift Eleanor rallies the country as the United States enters World War II; after Betty's addiction spirals, Jerry and her family intervene; Michelle joins Hillary Clinton on the 2016 presidential campaign trail to advocate for the dignity of women. Details Episode 10 Aired Jun 19, 2022 Victory Dance Franklin gifts Eleanor the charter for the League of Nations; after rehab, Betty vows to help others with addiction problems; Barack and Michelle prepare to leave the White House, determined to continue making a difference in the world. Details Episode 46 Aired Sep 15, 2022 Ingrid and Senator Allegra seem successful in their plans to undermine PGA's reelection candidacy. Details

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      The First Lady — Season 1

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      Critics Reviews

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      Amanda Whiting Independent (UK) The plaiting of the three narratives occurs almost arbitrarily, with the stories converging only in the broadest strokes. Rated: 2/5 Jun 22, 2022 Full Review Doreen St. Felix New Yorker 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. May 5, 2022 Full Review Kristen Lopez indieWire If "The First Lady" gets another season itll need to find a way to create compelling narratives for all its leads and be unafraid to get into the mess that is the White House. Rated: C Apr 29, 2022 Full Review Jeff Simon Buffalo News The trouble? However brilliant the occasional impressions of each woman, they are all irredeemably minimized. They might as well have invented a show called "American Writers" and had A-list Hollywood actors show off... Jan 23, 2023 Full Review Ren Jender INTO The anachronism of being “first lady” is in the name itself: in 2022, hardly anyone under the age of 85 who is not a member of the British aristocracy (speaking of anachronisms) unironically refers to themselves as “lady”. Rated: C- Jan 10, 2023 Full Review Susan Granger SSG Syndicate Because their parts are so blandly written - except for Gillian Anderson's Eleanor Roosevelt - the actresses seem to be delivering impersonations, rather than characterizations, which makes this historical anthology far too superficial. Rated: 6/10 Jul 11, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Season Info

      Director
      Susanne Bier
      Executive Producer
      Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Cathy Schulman, Jeff Gaspin, Brad Kaplan, Aaron Cooley, Susanne Bier, Pavlina Hatoupis, Andrew Wang
      Screenwriter
      Aaron Cooley, Nikole Beckwith, Jennifer Westfeldt, Cathy Schulman, Alyson Feltes, Ellen Fairey, Zora Bikangaga, Hunt Baldwin, Abby Ajayi
      Network
      Showtime
      Rating
      TV-MA
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Apr 17, 2022