Showtime decided not to move forward with its second season of its anthology series. “The First Lady.”The series’ Season 1 finale aired on the network just six weeks ago.
“Showtime can confirm that the anthology series ‘The First Lady’will not be moving forward with another season,”Showtime spokesperson:Variety. “We would like to applaud the artistry and commitment of our showrunner Cathy Schulman, director Susanne Bier, their fellow executive producers, our amazing cast, led by executive producer Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson, and our studio partner Lionsgate for their dedicated work in telling the unique stories of three remarkable leaders.”
The anthology series’ first season spanned three different eras of White House. It followed the private and political lives of Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford (Pfeiffer), and Michelle Obama (Davis).
“The First Lady”It received a mixed response from critics.Varietychief television critic Caroline Framke wasn’t a fan of the series’ structural conceit, writing that “squeezing their stories together doesn’t just make for confusing television, but does them all a disservice in the process.”The Emmy nominations morning saw the Television Academy not favoring this high-profile production, which received three craft nods in all categories.
Showtime’s Lionsgate Television produced the 10-episode series. The series was directed by Aaron Cooley. Executive production was done by Oscar winner Schulman at Welle Entertainment. Schulman also served in the role of showrunner. All episodes of the inaugural season were directed by Oscar-winning director Bier. Cooley, Davis and Julius Tennon were also executive producers. Pavlina Hatoupis was directed by Pavlina Cooley. Jeff Gaspin, Brad Kaplan and Alyson Felltes were also involved.
Deadline was first to report the news of the series’ cancellation.