Daryl Hannah strongly criticized the recent TV series depicting John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, labeling the portrayal of herself in the FX and Hulu show as inaccurate, harmful, and misogynistic.
In an op-ed published in the New York Times titled “How Can Love Story Get Away With This?” the actor expressed her disapproval of the romanticized portrayal of the relationship between Kennedy and Bessette, who tragically perished in a plane crash in 1999 along with Bessette’s sister.
Hannah, who had a relationship with Kennedy before his marriage to Bessette, refuted the depiction of her character in the series as unflattering and inaccurate. She specifically denied engaging in the alleged actions attributed to her on the show, such as drug use, pressuring someone into marriage, and manipulating the press.
The actress highlighted the personal impact of the misrepresentation, emphasizing that she was portrayed as an obstacle to the central love story, depicted as irritating and inappropriate. Hannah quoted producer Nina Jacobson’s comments suggesting that her character served as a narrative adversary to the desired storyline.
Despite claims from the show creators about portraying characters with compassion and complexity, Hannah felt her character lacked the dignity and fairness she deserved. She defended her reputation, stating that her current work in environmental advocacy and documentary filmmaking relies on maintaining a positive public image.
Reflecting on advice from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis about dealing with media scrutiny, Hannah noted the lasting impact of false narratives in the digital age. She criticized the show’s portrayal of women as rivals, questioning the underlying misogyny in pitting women against each other for dramatic effect.