Daryl Hannah has voiced strong criticism of her portrayal in the recent FX series “Love Story,” which chronicles the romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. The series premiered in February 2026 and has sparked significant controversy, particularly among those connected to the Kennedy family.
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“Love Story,” created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, depicts the relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette from their initial meeting in New York’s social scene to their secret wedding. It does not shy away from the tragic elements of their lives, culminating in the couple’s untimely deaths in a plane crash in 1999. The series also explores JFK Jr.’s previous five-year relationship with actress Daryl Hannah, portrayed by Dree Hemingway, and Carolyn’s friendship with fashion designer Calvin Klein and his then-wife, Kelly Klein.
The show has received a mixed response from viewers and those depicted within it. While Kelly Klein praised the series for its authentic representation of 1990s fashion, Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.’s nephew, expressed his discontent with the way the family’s legacy is being portrayed. In an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Schlossberg remarked, “If you want to know someone who has never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy.” He urged viewers to approach the series with caution, labelling it as fiction rather than fact.
In her op-ed for *The New York Times*, Daryl Hannah articulated her concerns regarding the depiction of her character in “Love Story.” The actress, who has maintained a low profile in recent years, condemned the series as “tragedy-exploiting.” She noted that the fictional representation of her character as “irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate” was a deliberate decision by the creators. Hannah categorically refuted the portrayal of her character, which includes scenes of throwing a party filled with drugs and pressuring JFK Jr. for commitment, stating that these representations do not align with her true personality or her relationship with him.
Hannah stated, “The character ‘Daryl Hannah’ portrayed in the series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John. The actions and behaviours attributed to me are untrue.” This clearly conveys her frustration at the liberties taken by the show’s writers in dramatizing her life.
Douglas Kennedy, JFK Jr.’s cousin, also joined the conversation regarding Hannah’s portrayal, labelling it as unfortunate and misleading. He expressed his memories of Hannah as a caring person who always acted in John’s best interests. “Daryl Hannah was great…that’s a misrepresentation,” he argued. Douglas further reflected on Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s character, acknowledging her importance and the affection others felt towards her, suggesting that capturing the essence of individuals’ lives accurately is a challenging task for filmmakers and series creators.
As the series juxtaposes glamour with tragedy, it has sparked meaningful discussions about authenticity in dramatized narratives. Kelly Klein, who features in the series as a friend of Carolyn Bessette, took to social media to share her appreciation for the show’s attention to detail in recreating the fashion and culture of the 1990s; however, this contrast in perspectives highlights a divide amongst those involved.
Despite the praise from some for its visual aspects, the negative feedback from prominent figures underscores a deeper concern regarding how narratives, particularly ones involving historic figures, can be interpreted and represented on-screen. The dichotomy of praise for aesthetic choices versus criticism for character representations reveals the challenges that come with dramatizing real lives.
As “Love Story” continues to unfold on FX, the responses by those depicted create a compelling backdrop to its narrative, raising questions about the ethics of biographical storytelling in an era where sensationalism often prevails over truth. While some have embraced the programme as a nostalgic trip down memory lane, others, like Hannah and Schlossberg, argue for the necessity of a respectful and sincere approach to those living and deceased whose lives and memories are intertwined with the Kennedy legacy.