The First Lady Cast & Character Guide
A reference guide for Showtime’s “The First Lady,” including character descriptions, names of actors, quotes from the series, and more.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.
A reference guide for Showtime’s “The First Lady,” including character descriptions, names of actors, quotes from the series, and more.
Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.
[ninja_tables id=”46704″]
Eleanor Roosevelt (Gillian Anderson), 1900 Eleanor (Eliza Scanlen), and 1892 Eleanor (Vivien Lyra Blair)
From encouraging her husband after he was diagnosed with Polio to assisting in writing his speeches, Eleanor Roosevelt is shown as the woman behind the man and the one pushing him forward.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Unprecedented. Not impossible.
— Eleanor Roosevelt (1.1)
That’s not a job. That’s my circumstance.
— Eleanor Roosevelt (1.1)
I’m not thrilled that my title refers to my sex rather than my skills.
— Eleanor Roosevelt (1.2)
Sometimes, just because you want something, doesn’t mean you’ll be any good at it.
— Eleanor (1.10)
Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer) & 1947 Betty (Kristen Froseth)
At one time, a dancer with hopes to make it in the New York scene, eventually Betty settled into the life of a homemaker and wife of a politician.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Michelle Obama (Viola Davis) & 1987 Michelle (Jayme Lawson)
An accomplished lawyer long before she met her husband, the Chicago native didn’t expect to become a known orator, yet to save her husband’s campaign, that is what she did.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
I’m accepting your position and stepping into mine.
— Michelle Obama (1.2)
We’re all on the same side, but we’re not always equal, are we?
— Michelle Obama (1.9)
Laura Bush (Kathleen Garrett)
The former first lady, who toured the White House with Michelle during the transition.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Franklin Roosevelt (Kiefer Sutherland) & 1900 Franklin (Charlie Plummer)
Eleanor’s husband who heavily relied on her, especially after he got contracted Polio, to be his champion after his mother’s faith in him faltered.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Gerald Ford (Aaron Eckhart) & 1947 Jerry (Jack Picking)
Betty’s husband who made huge leaps, within a year, from the house of representatives to the presidency.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Barack Obama (O-T Fagbenle) & 1987 Barack (Julian De Niro)
He was a community organizer who became president, mainly thanks to his wife, Michelle, making him come off less uptight.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Sara Roosevelt (Ellen Burstyn)
Franklin’s mother who holds the purse strings
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “That White House”
Quotes
Dick Chaney (Rhys Wakefield)
Dick Chaney is a holdover from the Nixon administration that works with Donald Rumsfeld.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Donald Rumsfeld (Derek Cecil)
Donald Rumsfeld is a holdover from the Nixon administration who, aside from the more blatant illegal activities, is trying to make Gerald Ford’s presidency mirror Nixon’s.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Debbie Winthtrop (Grace McLean)
Debbie was a holdover from the Nixon administration, the former First Lady’s secretary, who within the new administration, she was tasked by Donald and Dick to help them control Betty Ford. Mainly so Betty could be dissuaded from saying or doing anything to hurt the administration. Also, through Debbie, they would be able to control Betty without directly being involved.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Gwen (Jo Firestone)
Gwen is Michelle’s version of Debbie, sent by Rahm Emanuel.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Mel (Donna Lynne Champlin)
Mel was Michelle’s handler throughout Barack’s political campaign and perhaps one of the few assigned to her she liked.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Rahm Emanuel (Michael Aronov)
Rahm is part of Obama’s team when he becomes president, and like Donald Rumsfeld before him, he does his best to keep the First Lady busy and away from messing up any re-election chances.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Susan (Kate Mulgrew)
Susan is Michelle’s former boss at a Chicago Hospital who she asks to be on her team when she becomes First Lady.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Lorena “Hick” Hickok (Lily Rabe)
Hick is Eleanor’s associate from Greenwich Village, who is a reporter and friend.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Malvina “Tommy” Thompson (Clea DuVall)
Malvina is Eleanor’s assigned secretary when she becomes the first lady.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Valerie Jarrett (Gloria Reuben)
Valerie is one of the many people sent to speak with Michelle about cooling her heels regarding her activism and desire to do more than the First Lady has traditionally been expected to do.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Nancy Howe (Judy Greer)
Nancy works at a gift shop in the White House and is one of the first familiar faces Betty sees once she becomes the first lady. Also, she is the one who reminds Betty of her power.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Louis Howe (Jackie Earle Haley)
Louis handles Franklin D. Roosevelt’s calendar and part of his affairs (perhaps in a literal sense)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Voices Carry”
Quotes
Teddy (Jeremy Bobb)
Theodore Roosevelt was not only the president but a father figure in Eleanor’s life, and whenever he could, he stepped in and provided her paternal love.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3″ Please Allow Me”
Quotes
Fraser (Michael Potts)
Fraser is Michelle’s father
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3″ Please Allow Me”
Quotes
Marian (Regina Taylor)
Michelle’s mother.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3″ Please Allow Me”
Quotes
Lucy (Maria Dizzia)
Eleanor’s secretary and Franklin’s mistress.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 4 “cracked pot”
Quotes
Clara (Patrice Johnson Chevannes)
Clara was not only Betty’s friend but also someone hired to take care of the children and the house.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 4 “cracked pot”
Quotes
Susan (Dakota Fanning)
Susan is Betty Ford’s daughter.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “see saw”
Quotes
Malia (Lexi Underwood)
Malia is Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s eldest daughter.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 6 “shout out”
Quotes & Gifs
Hillary Clinton (Kate Burton)
Then 2016 presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton was once again running for the top office in the United States government and was hoping Michelle may give her a boost similar to what she did for Barack nearly 8 years prior.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 9 “rift”
Quotes & Gifs
Anna (Cailee Spaeny)
Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt’s daughter, who is hired as her father’s secretary during his administration.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 10 “Victory Dance”
Quotes & Gifs
Sasha (Saniyya Sidney)
Michelle and Barack Obama’s younger daughter.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 10 “Victory Dance”
Quotes & Gifs
