Daryl Hannah Condemns ‘Love Story’ Portrayal, Calls it ‘Textbook Misogyny’

Daryl Hannah has publicly criticized Ryan Murphy’s FX limited series, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, taking issue with her depiction in the show. Hannah voiced her concerns in a scathing essay published in The New York Times on March 6, 2026, accusing the series of exploiting tragedy and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Hannah’s Criticism of the Series

The actress, who dated John F. Kennedy Jr. On and off for five years in the early 1990s, specifically objected to the character based on her, played by Dree Hemingway, being portrayed as “irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate.” She argued that this characterization wasn’t accidental, but rather a deliberate choice to create tension and elevate the central romance between Kennedy Jr. And Bessette.

“Storytelling requires tension. It often requires an obstacle,” Hannah wrote. “But a real, living person is not a narrative device. There is also a gendered dimension to this thinking. 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?”

Disputed Portrayals and False Accusations

Hannah vehemently denied several specific claims made about her character in the series. She stated she has “never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties” and that she “never pressured anyone into marriage.” She emphasized that the actions attributed to her in the show are untrue and do not reflect her actual life or conduct.

Since the series aired, Hannah revealed she has received “many hostile and even threatening messages from viewers who seem to believe the portrayal is factual.”

Broader Criticism of the Series

Hannah’s critique follows similar condemnation from JFK Jr.’s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, who recently criticized the series as a “grotesque display” based on misinformation. Schlossberg stated that Ryan Murphy “knows nothing about what he’s talking about” and is profiting from a distorted portrayal of his family’s life.

Defense of the Series

Despite the criticism, Brad Simpson, a producer of Love Story, defended the show as a project “made with sincerity” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Sarah Pidgeon, who played Carolyn Bessette, also asserted that Schlossberg “has every right to share how he feels about it.”

Success and Controversy

Love Story has achieved significant viewership, becoming the most-watched FX limited series to date with 25 million hours of viewing for the first five episodes. However, the show’s success has been overshadowed by the growing controversy surrounding its accuracy and portrayal of real-life figures.