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The First Lady: Handmaid's Tale Star O-T Fagbenle To Play Barack In Drama About The Obamas

Joanna Freedman

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| Last updated 

The First Lady: Handmaid's Tale Star O-T Fagbenle To Play Barack In Drama About The Obamas

Featured Image Credit: PA

The Handmaid's Tale star O-T Fagbenle is stepping up to play Barack Obama in new drama, The First Lady.

Featuring Fagbenle starring alongside Viola Davis, who will play Michelle Obama in the series, the Lionsgate TV and Showtime production will tell of the story of world leaders through the eyes of their wives.

Penned by Aaron Cooley, the show also stars big names such as Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt. Plus, Jayme Lawson is being tipped to play a young Michelle Obama.

O.T Fagbenle in The Handmaid's Tale (Credit: Hulu)
O.T Fagbenle in The Handmaid's Tale (Credit: Hulu)
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Aaron Eckhart will star as President Gerald Ford while the Franklin D. Roosevelt actor has not yet been announced. Rhys Wakefield and Kristine Froseth will also reportedly appear.

Susanne Bier will act as executive producer and director of the series, while actress, Davis, will also serve as an executive producer.

The idea is that the format will "reframe" American leaders in a way they have never been seen before.

The series puts women at centre stage (Credit: PA)
The series puts women at centre stage (Credit: PA)
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Announcing his role on social media, Fagbenle said: "Not sure what's more of an honour, playing @barackobama doing a TV show honouring @michelleobama or getting to work with the inspirational @violadavis.

"Suffice to say I'm giving thanks".

O.T Fagbenle announced the role on Instagram (Credit: Instagram/ O.T Fagbenle)
O.T Fagbenle announced the role on Instagram (Credit: Instagram/ O.T Fagbenle)

Teasing details of what viewers can expect from the series, Showtime say in a statement: "In the East Wing of the White House, many of history's most impactful and world-changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America's charismatic, complex and dynamic First Ladies.

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"This series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of three unique, enigmatic women, tracing their journeys to Washington through an enlightening intimacy."

Barack and Michelle Obama (Credit: PA)
Barack and Michelle Obama (Credit: PA)

Fans will know Fagbenle, 41, best for starring as Luke Bankole in The Handmaid's Tale (that's June's estranged husband, and father of her daughter, Hannah).

He is also soon set to star alongside Scarlett Johansson in Marvel film Black Widow.

Topics: TV News, TV Entertainment

Joanna Freedman
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