Daryl Hannah strongly criticized the depiction of her character in the recent TV series portraying John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette. In an opinion piece for the New York Times titled “How Can Love Story Get Away With This?” Hannah expressed her dismay at being portrayed inaccurately and negatively in the FX and Hulu show, labeling it as false, harmful, and misogynistic.
The series, titled “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” explores the romantic relationship and tragic fate of the iconic couple who perished in a plane crash in 1999 alongside Bessette’s sister. Hannah, who had a prior relationship with Kennedy, objected to her portrayal in the show as portrayed by actress Dree Hemingway, emphasizing that the depiction was far from the truth.
Hannah refuted specific actions attributed to her character in the first three episodes, vehemently denying accusations of drug use, manipulative behavior, and disrespectful actions. She expressed disappointment in having to defend herself against a television show and highlighted the misrepresentation of her life and relationship with Kennedy.
The actress also criticized the show alongside others for profiting off the Kennedy family’s tragedy, pointing out the personal nature of the criticism due to her involvement in the series. She highlighted the deliberate positioning of her character as an obstacle to the central love story, leading to a portrayal that she described as unflattering and unjust.
Despite the producers’ claims of portraying real-life characters with compassion and complexity, Hannah felt that her character was not given the respect and fairness she deserved. She emphasized the importance of her reputation for her continued work in environmental advocacy and documentary filmmaking, stating that standing up against the false portrayal was necessary for maintaining her integrity.
Drawing on advice from Jacqueline Onassis, who once dismissed tabloid lies as fleeting, Hannah noted the shift in the digital age where misinformation persists online indefinitely. She also criticized the show’s focus on pitting women against each other, seeing it as a perpetuation of misogyny in popular culture.
