Daryl Hannah has strongly criticized the depiction of herself in the new series centered on John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. In an opinion piece for the New York Times titled “How Can Love Story Get Away With This?”, the actor expressed her dismay at the portrayal of her character in the FX and Hulu show as inaccurate, harmful, and misogynistic.
The show, titled “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” explores the romance and marriage of the iconic couple who tragically perished in a plane crash in 1999. Hannah, who had a relationship with Kennedy before his marriage to Bessette, objected to the unflattering depiction of her character in the series, played by Dree Hemingway.
In her essay, Hannah refuted specific actions attributed to her character in the first three episodes, emphasizing that the portrayal did not reflect her real-life conduct or relationship with John. She denied engaging in drug use, pressuring anyone into marriage, or other behaviors associated with her character on the show.
Despite Hannah’s criticisms, FX has not responded to her claims. The series has faced backlash from other sources as well, with Kennedy’s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, condemning the show for exploiting the family’s tragic history.
Hannah highlighted the personal nature of the criticism, noting that producers had positioned her character as an obstacle to the central love story. She quoted producer Nina Jacobson’s remarks, indicating a narrative intent to portray her character in a negative light.
The former actor, now involved in environmental advocacy and documentary filmmaking, emphasized the importance of her reputation for continuing her meaningful work. Drawing attention to the digital era’s perpetuation of falsehoods, she criticized the show’s portrayal of her as a rival to Bessette and questioned the underlying misogyny in pitting women against each other.