WATERTOWN, NY (October 8, 2024) – A revelatory, dramatic reframing of American leadership through the lens of the First Ladies. Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, this series delves deep into the ladies’ personal and political lives. Exploring everything from their journeys to Washington, family life, and world-changing political contributions, the impact of the White House’s women is no longer hidden from view.
Nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards, Critics Choice Awards and NAACP Image Awards, the 10-part series The First Lady includes Kiefer Sutherland as Franklin Roosevelt, Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford, and O-T Fagbenie as Barack Obama. The First Lady premieres on WPBS-TV with back-to-back episodes, Fridays at 9:00 pm & 10:00 pm, starting October 11, 2024. The series will also be available to stream with WPBS Passport via wpbstv.org and the PBS app or WPBS app. Learn more about the station member benefit at: watch.wpbstv.org/passport/learn-more.
Episode Descriptions
That White House (Friday Oct. 11 at 9:00 pm) Eleanor Roosevelt commits to Franklin’s uncertain political future. Betty Ford unexpectedly becomes Second Lady. Michelle Obama wrestles with Barack’s nomination.
Voices Carry (Friday Oct. 11 at 10:00 pm) Eleanor presses Franklin to act more boldly against the Great Depression. After Nixon’s resignation, Betty becomes First Lady days before a state dinner. Before Barack’s inauguration, Michelle faces opposition from his transition team.
Please Allow Me (Friday Oct. 18 at 9:00 pm) Young Eleanor attends her coming out party in New York where she meets cousin Franklin. In Michigan, young Betty is courted by hotshot lawyer Jerry. At a Chicago law firm, young Michelle meets summer intern Barack, interested in politics.
Cracked Pot (Friday Oct. 18 at 10:00 pm) Franklin’s marital indiscretions push Eleanor to socialize with more political women. A stubborn shoulder injury begins Betty’s troubled history with pain medication. Michelle vows to hold Chicago’s inadequate healthcare system to task.
See Saw (Friday Oct. 25 at 9:00 pm) Eleanor holds the White House’s first all-female press conference and grows closer to journalist Lorena Hickock. Betty publicly announces her breast cancer diagnosis. Michelle prompts new legislation with her healthy school lunch program.
Shout Out (Friday Oct. 25 at 10:00 pm) Eleanor, Betty and Michelle’s daring stances put them in the spotlight.
Nadir (Friday Nov. 1 at 9:00 pm) Eleanor doubles down on her efforts to confront racism. Betty helps Jerry secure the Republican nomination while her problems with addiction worsen. Michelle grieves after recent gun violence tragedies and advocates for legislative action.
Punch Perfect (Friday Nov. 1 at 10:00 pm) Eleanor forces Franklin’s hand in assisting Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. 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.
Rift (Friday Nov. 8 at 9:00 pm) Eleanor rallies the country as the U.S. enters WW 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 American women.
Victory Dance (Friday Nov. 8 at 10:00 pm) 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.
The First Lady was acquired by American Public Television from Lionsgate for syndication to public television stations nationwide.
About APT
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, America’s Test Kitchen, Rick Steves’ Europe, The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, My Life is Murder, Pati’s Mexican Table, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Legacy List with Matt Paxton, Table for All with Buki Elegbede, Lidia’s Kitchen, Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen, Lucky Chow, NHK Newsline, BBC News and Biz Kid$ are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. More information at APTonline.org
About WPBS
WPBS is a PBS station serving approximately 600,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario via cable, satellite, Internet and over-the-air distribution. WPBS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and inspire diverse communities with exceptional and trusted content across multiple platforms. Its vision is to be the premier provider of relevant public service media that instills wonder and curiosity across generations and cultures. More information about WPBS, including a full channel listing, is available at wpbstv.org, or by following WPBS on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Download the free WPBS Mobile App to follow WPBS on the go.
