British-Nigerian actor OT Fagbenle is set to play former US president Barack Obama in American cable network Showtime’s anthology series The First Lady.

Written and executive produced by Aaron Cooley, the show is described as a reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House.

The cast also includes Grammy winner Viola Davis, who will play First Lady Michelle Obama; Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford; Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt; and Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford.

Fagbenle’s credits include Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale, Doctor Who, The Five and Looking. In 2019, he was nominated for a SAG award for his role in The Handmaid’s Tale.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Fagbenle said: “Not sure what’s more of an honour, playing Barack Obama, doing a TV show honouring Michelle Obama or getting to work with the inspirational Viola Davis. Suffice to say I’m giving thanks.”

tagged in: OT Fabenle, The First Lady