Daryl Hannah Says Ryan Murphy Series Uses Her as "Narrative Device"

Daryl Hannah says the JFK Jr. TV show makes her look bad and uses her story for drama, calling it "tragedy-exploiting."
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Television |

Actress Daryl Hannah has launched a vehement critique of Ryan Murphy's television series, "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette," specifically targeting her portrayal in the show. Hannah, who had a long-term relationship with Kennedy Jr., argues that the series appropriates a "living person" for dramatic effect, rendering her a mere "narrative device" rather than a person with agency.

JFK Jr’s ex Daryl Hannah eviscerates Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: ‘A living person is not a narrative device’ - 1

Hannah's objections, detailed in a sharp essay for The New York Times, center on what she terms "appalling" and "tragedy-exploiting" representations. She asserts that the character bearing her name presents false claims about her conduct. Specifically, Hannah refutes allegations within the series that she intruded upon private memorials, desecrated family heirlooms, pressured individuals into marriage, or compared the death of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to that of a dog.

JFK Jr’s ex Daryl Hannah eviscerates Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: ‘A living person is not a narrative device’ - 2

The series, which has garnered significant viewership for FX, reportedly depicts the Hannah character as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny, and inappropriate. This portrayal, according to Hannah, constructs a rivalry with Carolyn Bessette, an approach she labels "a classic example of misogyny" where one woman's degradation serves to elevate another.

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JFK Jr’s ex Daryl Hannah eviscerates Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: ‘A living person is not a narrative device’ - 3

A Troubled Portrayal

The actress's extensive commentary follows a recent statement from JFK Jr.'s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, who also expressed disapproval of the series. Hannah, who has maintained decades of silence on her relationship with Kennedy Jr., feels compelled to speak out against what she perceives as the distortion of her reality for entertainment.

JFK Jr’s ex Daryl Hannah eviscerates Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: ‘A living person is not a narrative device’ - 4

The "Love Story" series has achieved considerable success, marking a streaming record for Disney with 25 million hours viewed for its initial episodes. However, Hannah remains unconvinced by its popularity, insisting that the sensationalization of real-life tragedies and the misrepresentation of individuals are unacceptable. She asserts that using real names in a fictionalized context is an ethically dubious practice, fundamentally misrepresenting the complexity of lived experiences.

Read More: Daryl Hannah says FX show 'Love Story' wrongly uses her name

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Daryl Hannah upset about the Ryan Murphy series on JFK Jr.?
Daryl Hannah says the series uses her as a "narrative device" and shows false things about her. She feels the show misrepresents her actions and personality for drama.
Q: What specific things does Daryl Hannah say the JFK Jr. series shows that are not true?
Hannah denies claims in the series that she intruded on memorials, damaged family items, pushed for marriage, or made bad comparisons about death. She calls these "false claims."
Q: How does Daryl Hannah describe her portrayal in the JFK Jr. series?
She says the character based on her is shown as annoying, self-centered, whiny, and inappropriate. Hannah believes this creates a fake rivalry with Carolyn Bessette and is a "misogyny" tactic.
Q: What is Daryl Hannah's main ethical concern about the series?
Hannah feels it is wrong to use real people's names in a fictional story that sensationalizes real tragedies. She believes it misrepresents complex life experiences for entertainment.
Q: Has anyone else in JFK Jr.'s family spoken out about the series?
Yes, Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.'s nephew, has also shared his disapproval of the series, similar to Hannah's concerns about its portrayal of real people.