Daryl Hannah has publicly condemned Ryan Murphy’s popular TV series Love Story, which dramatizes the romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The controversy centers on the portrayal of Hannah as a character played by Dree Hemingway, depicting a version of her that Hannah argues is false and damaging.
Dispute Over Character Portrayal and Gendered Misrepresentation
The actor, who was in a relationship with JFK Jr. in the early 1990s, wrote an essay for the New York Times expressing her frustration with the show’s depiction of her. She states that the character using her name was created as an irritating, self-absorbed, and inappropriate figure. Hannah suggests that this was a deliberate choice by the show’s creators.
She highlights a producer’s comment describing her character as an adversary, explaining that while storytelling may require conflict, real individuals should not be reduced to narrative obstacles. Hannah emphasizes the gendered aspect of this portrayal, pointing out,
“Popular culture has long elevated certain women by portraying others as rivals, obstacles or villains. Isn’t it textbook misogyny to tear down one woman in order to build up another?”
Refutation of Negative Claims and Personal Impact
Hannah vehemently denies allegations made by the series, including claims that her character used cocaine, saying,
“It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show.”
She stresses that these statements about her behavior are untrue and not simply creative adaptations but harmful falsehoods. The fallout from the show’s release has included hostile and threatening messages directed at her.
Family Reaction and Defense from Show Creators
Hannah’s public response followed the criticism from JFK Jr.’s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, who called out Murphy’s production in a CBS interview:
“If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy,”
he said.
“The guy knows nothing about what he’s talking about, and he’s making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else’s life.”
Meanwhile, the show’s producer Brad Simpson defended the project in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, describing it as one made with “sincerity.” Actor Sarah Pidgeon, portraying Carolyn Bessette, acknowledged Schlossberg’s right to express his feelings on the series, saying he
“has every right to share how he feels about it.”
Widespread Popularity Despite Backlash
Despite the controversy, Love Story has achieved remarkable viewership since its February premiere. It set a streaming record for Disney, accumulating 25 million hours of viewing across its first five episodes and ranking as the most watched limited series on FX to date. The Ryan Murphy Love Story controversy highlights the tension between creative storytelling and respect for real people’s lives, with ongoing debate expected as the series continues to draw attention.
