In the past five years, we've become accustomed to seeing Viola Davis as the complex and commanding Annalise Keating on
How To Get Away With Murder (Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on
CTV)
. But last month, we got the news we’ve been waiting for our whole lives: not only is this Queen returning to our screens, but she’ll be playing fellow legend, Michelle Obama, in upcoming TV series
First Ladies.While most of us would agree that the Emmy and Academy Award-winning actress is literally
perfect for this role (we are accepting no criticism at this time), she dropped by
Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to reveal that she’s actually super-nervous about it."I’m absolutely terrified," Davis told Kimmel. "I don’t care what else I’ve done in my life—I’ve won an Emmy, I won an Oscar, two Tonys—but if I mess this up, this will be the defining moment in my life. Like, ‘You raised a great kid but you messed up Michelle Obama.'"When Jimmy asked whether or not she’s actually told the real-life former First Lady that she’ll be playing her, she answered no, but she’s waiting to get that angry phone call from Michelle to "cuss" her out.
Oh, Viola. We don’t think there’ll be anything but praise. Michelle Obama recognizes skill and considering Viola's accolades and the fact she's also executive producing the show, we can't imagine the former FLOTUS is anything but thrilled about the casting choice.Plus, when it comes to playing Mrs. Obama (one of the most confident, independent,
inspiring women around), Davis is more than qualified. Not only did she give an incredibly
powerful and stirring speech at the Women’s March in 2018, but she also surprised everyone
at the Emmys last Sunday by sauntering across the stage in a beautiful Alberta Ferretti gown and—wait for it—a pair of sneakers.She told Jimmy, “I found out I had to walk through the presentation—I said, ‘Hell no, oh hell no.’ I said I will only do it if I can wear my sneakers, and I wore my sneakers.” When Jimmy asked if anyone would stop her, she fired back with "nobody, because I was ready to fight." Icon.Terrified of playing Michelle Obama? Please. This woman was born for it.
