Daryl Hannah strongly criticized the recent TV series depicting John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, condemning her misrepresented portrayal as inaccurate and misogynistic. In her guest essay for the New York Times titled “How Can Love Story Get Away With This?” Hannah expressed her dismay over the romanticized portrayal in “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” which focuses on the couple’s tragic death in a plane crash in 1999.
Having previously dated Kennedy, Hannah disputed the unflattering depiction of her character in the series, played by Dree Hemingway. She refuted specific actions attributed to her character, emphasizing that the portrayal was far from reality. Denying allegations of drug use, pressuring others into marriage, or engaging in scandalous behavior, Hannah expressed her disbelief at having to defend herself against a television show.
Despite Hannah’s concerns, FX, the network behind the series, declined to comment on her accusations. Criticism of the show has also come from Kennedy’s family, with his nephew Jack Schlossberg particularly vocal about the exploitation of the family’s tragic history by the producers, notably executive producer Ryan Murphy.
Hannah highlighted the personal nature of her criticisms, pointing out the deliberate positioning of her character as an obstacle to the central love story. She cited comments from producer Nina Jacobson, who acknowledged that the character of Daryl Hannah was meant to be an adversary to the narrative progression.
Reflecting on the impact of the portrayal on her reputation, Hannah emphasized her commitment to environmental advocacy and documentary filmmaking. She stressed the importance of maintaining a positive reputation to continue her meaningful work, asserting her decision to speak out against the misrepresentation in the series.
Drawing on advice from Jacqueline Onassis, Kennedy’s mother, Hannah noted the shift in media landscape from printed tabloids to digital platforms, where false narratives persist. She also criticized the portrayal of women in popular culture, questioning the need to degrade one woman to elevate another, labeling it as a form of misogyny.