Viola Davis Shares What Went Into Playing Michelle Obama in 'The First Lady' (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

Fans might think it's hard for a seasoned, award-winning and beloved actor like Viola Davis to be shaken by any role, but the  star isn't afraid to admit that her most recent project was a little nerve-wracking.In fact, the actress called portraying Michelle Obama for Showtime's scripted anthology series, , «absolutely terrifying.» Davis spoke with ET's Nischelle Turner ahead of the premiere of the non-fiction series alongside her co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson, who star as Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt, respectively.

The show’s first season, directed and executive produced by Susanne Bier, follows the three former first ladies for «a revelatory reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House.»Set in the East Wing,  will show how «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.» The show, set to premiere on April 17, will go into the personal and political lives of three such «unique, enigmatic women,» recounting their journeys from wife to Washington.Davis noted that the scariest aspect of portraying Obama was the idea that she was someone whom «everyone has ownership over.»«You’re terrified whenever you start a job because you are afraid you are going to be found out — that’s big imposter syndrome.

But with Michelle Obama, it’s like everyone has ownership over Michelle Obama,» she explained. «I mean, her book came out and it was [on every] bestseller list, everyone knows what she looks like what she sounds like, what her hair [is like], you know?»The 56-year-old shared that even more terrifying than the concept of portraying Obama was what.