Saniyya Sidney has been cast as Sasha Obama in upcoming series, The First Lady. Sidney is joining Lexi Underwood, Regina Taylor, Julian De Niro, Evan Parke, Viola Davis, among others, in the upcoming Showtime anthology series.
The young star excitedly broke the news on Instagram.
“This first family is my source of inspiration. I am in divine gratitude to now be a part of their magnificent story. To portray you, Sasha Obama, makes my heart sing. @michelleobama @barackobama you are forever the gold standard. My mama @violadavis I am counting the seconds to see you again! @officiallexiunderwood so happy to have you as my sister Malia. To @showtime & my exquiste team @creativeartistsagency & Transcend Talent MGT thank you for helping me bring this milestone into my life.”
Lexi Underwood commented on her post, writing, “Congratulations!! I couldn’t be happier to have you as my sister ”
This project will also reunite Sydney and Viola Davis. You may remember that they pair worked together in Fences, alongside Denzel Washington. Davis will portray Michelle Obama in the upcoming series.
Sydney has had an outstanding career to date. In addition to Fences, the young actress can also be seen in Hidden Figures, season six of American Horror Story, or in her most recent role on Fox’s The Passage.
Sydney is also preparing for her upcoming movie, King Richard, where she will portray a young Venus Williams.
According to Deadline, The First Lady, created by Aaron Cooley and produced by Lionsgate TV and Showtime, is a revelatory reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. Season 1 will focus on Eleanor Roosevelt (Anderson), Betty Ford (Pfeiffer) and Michelle Obama (Davis).
Congratulations, Saniyya. We were excited when Lexi broke the news that she will portray Malia and now our excitement has just doubled because you are joining the cast as Sasha Obama!
