Viola Davis appeared on The Tonight Show and explained why she felt like she “lost her mind” when deciding to play Michelle Obama in the Showtime series “First Ladies.”
“Temporary Insanity” Took Over
The “How to Get Away With Murder” star talked to Jimmy Fallon about what was going through her mind when she accepted the role of Michelle Obama in the upcoming show “First Ladies,” which chronicles the lives of some of the most iconic women of the White House.
When Fallon asked Davis why she accepted the role, she responded: “I think it was temporary insanity. I lost my damn mind for about five minutes, and I made a decision I can’t take back,” she told the host. “The woman is a damn goddess. Everybody knows her, everybody feels like they want to protect her. Here’s the thing: I’m just going to do the best I can.”
When asked if she’s spoken to Michelle since her casting, the multi-award-winning actress confirmed that she has.
“I have for several hours,” the actress stated. “And it’s terrifying. Here’s the thing. Sometimes, someone doesn’t live up to whatever image you have of them in your head. But when they do live up to the image, it’s quite frightening.”
Star-Studded Cast
Other stars have been confirmed to be portraying an American icon in the upcoming “First Ladies” alongside Davis. Gillian Anderson recently signed on to portray Eleanor Roosevelt, while Michelle Pfeiffer is slated to star as Betty Ford.
The show description is the following:
“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. This series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of these enigmatic women, with season one focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama.”
While no premiere date for First Ladies has been set, fans can see more of Davison the Oscar-nominated “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, as well as the upcoming “The Suicide Squad,” which just released a new trailer.