Little Fires Everywhere star Lexi Underwood to portray Malia Obama opposite Viola Davis as Michelle

Little Fires Everywhere star Lexi Underwood set to portray Malia Obama in Showtime anthology series The First Lady starring Viola Davis

Breakout star of Little Fires Everywhere Lexi Underwood will play Malia Obama in The First Lady anthology series. 

The 17-year-old will showcase her talent as the first family’s forward-thinking eldest daughter, acting alongside Viola Davis as Michelle Obama and O-T Fagbenle as President Barack Obama

The upcoming Showtime series will explore the lives of the women at the center of the White House, with season one set to focus on Elenor Roosevelt (played by Gillian Anderson), Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Mrs. Obama (Davis.) 

First daughter: Lexi Underwood of Little Fires Everywhere has been cast as Malia Obama in The First Lady anthology

Smiles: Malia is seen to the far left in the Obama family's 2015 Easter portrait above

Smiles: Malia is seen to the far left in the Obama family’s 2015 Easter portrait above

Lexi was a stand-out playing Pearl opposite Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon in the Hulu limited series Little Fires Everywhere.

Her role earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination.

Though still young, Underwood boasts an impressive list of credits, appearing in Criminal Minds, Family Reunion, Walk the Plank, The Good Doctor and Will Vs. The Future. 

She’s a veteran on stage, making her Broadway debut at the age of 11 as Young Nala in the blockbuster stage production of The Lion King.

Parents: She's act opposite Viola Davis as Michelle Obama and O-T Fagbenle as President Barack Obama

Commander in Chief: Fagbenle is known for his work on The Handmaid's Tale

Parents: She’s act opposite Viola Davis as Michelle Obama and O-T Fagbenle as President Barack Obama 

Burning: Lexi was a stand-out playing Pearl opposite Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon in the Hulu limited series Little Fires Everywhere

Burning: Lexi was a stand-out playing Pearl opposite Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon in the Hulu limited series Little Fires Everywhere

Lexi’s next role is as Kira in the upcoming feature film Sneakerella.

Underwood’s casting news comes just days after news Dakota Fanning would be playing another one of the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue’s teenage residents.

The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actress will play Susan Ford, the only daughter of President Gerald Ford (to be played by Aaron Eckhart.)

Also set to appear in the upcoming series are Rhys Wakefield and Judy Greer, the latter of whom stepped in to fill a role previously held by Pamela Adlon. 

Flashback: Underwood's casting news comes just days after news Dakota Fanning (above 2018) would be playing Susan Ford, the only daughter of President Gerald Ford and wife Betty

Flashback: Underwood’s casting news comes just days after news Dakota Fanning (above 2018) would be playing Susan Ford, the only daughter of President Gerald Ford and wife Betty

The First Lady was created by Aaron Cooley, who will also write and serve as an executive producer on the forthcoming show, which was given its initial production order by Showtime in February of last year.

Susanne Bier, who helmed the 2018 horror film Bird Box, will also serve as an executive producer and direct multiple episodes of the series. 

Principal photography on The First Lady began late last month, with Georgia serving as a shooting location.

Retro: Michelle Pfeiffer will be playing Bett Ford while Aaron Eckhart will play the President. The Ford family is seen in 1974 above

Retro: Michelle Pfeiffer will be playing Bett Ford while Aaron Eckhart will play the President. The Ford family is seen in 1974 above