Global producer and distributor Fremantle has partnered with the award-winning production company, October Films, to take the international distribution rights to the fascinating docuseries First Ladies. Commissioned by CNN, the six-part series premiered on the network on Sunday, October 4th.
First Ladies, which is narrated by Golden Globe-winning actress Robin Wright, profiles Michelle Obama, Jacqueline Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Blending in-depth interviews, rare archival footage and cinematic recreations, First Ladies is a bold revision of each woman’s traditional portrayal, revealing how they were impacted during their time in the White House, and how their achievements fundamentally shaped American and global history.
Harry Gamsu, Vice President of Non-Scripted Content Acquisitions, Fremantle said: “First Ladies retells the stories of six powerful women we all assume we know. This timeless series will give global audiences a fresh perspective on who these women were, what they achieved and the power they wielded. We are thrilled to be partnering with the teams at October Films and CNN Original Series on this female-led project.”
Matt Robins, Executive Producer, October Films said: “First Ladies is a study of power from a source too-often overshadowed and dismissed. It delivers incredible biographical learnings but what the series most poignantly reveals is how the pressure-cooker role of First Lady enables each woman to grow and change, and crucially, how their personal evolution shapes the nation and world around them. We are delighted to partner with Fremantle in bringing the series to a global audience.”
Director Kim Duke said: “Delving deeply into the lives of these truly modern trailblazers, uncovering the personal as well as political high stakes during their time in the White House, was both a revelation and an inspiration. There has never been a better time than now to explore the game-changing achievements of these remarkable women.”
First Ladies is a CNN Original Series and is produced by October Films. Executive producers are Liz Bronstein, Chris Muckle, Matt Robins for October Films and Amy Entelis, Lyle Gamm and Lizzie Fox for CNN. The series was directed by Kim Duke, Liz Mermin and Katharine English. Fremantle will handle the global distribution rights for the series.
