Dree Hemingway Wrote Daryl Hannah a Letter Before Playing Her in 'Love Story'

The actress explains why she reached out to the 'Splash' star before portraying her in Ryan Murphy's FX series.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Actress Dree Hemingway, who plays Daryl Hannah in the new FX series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette', revealed that she wrote a 'love note' to Hannah before taking on the role. Hemingway, whose mother Mariel Hemingway is friends with Hannah, said she had no expectations of a response but wanted to express her appreciation for Hannah as a woman and actress. Hemingway also discussed her approach to playing the iconic character, her thoughts on watching herself on screen, and how director Sean Baker launched her career with the film 'Starlet'.

Why it matters

Hemingway's decision to personally reach out to Hannah, whom she has not met, shows her deep respect and admiration for the actress. It's an uncommon move, as the producer of the series, Nina Jacobson, generally advises against engaging with real-life subjects to avoid feeling 'obligated' to portray them a certain way. Hemingway's letter highlights her thoughtful approach to the role and desire to honor Hannah's legacy.

The details

Hemingway explained that while the series takes a 'fictional aspect' since the details behind closed doors are unknown, Ryan Murphy and Connor Hines did a great job characterizing Hannah. Hemingway said she has been a 'huge fan' of Murphy's work from afar, and jumped at the chance to audition for the part. She also discussed her mixed feelings about watching herself on screen, noting she can be 'really critical' at times but also tries to step back and view it as an art form.

  • The FX series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette' premiered in 2026.

The players

Dree Hemingway

An actress who is playing the role of Daryl Hannah in the FX series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette'. Hemingway's mother, Mariel Hemingway, is friends with Hannah.

Daryl Hannah

An actress known for her roles in films like 'Splash' and 'Kill Bill', who is portrayed by Dree Hemingway in the FX series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette'.

Ryan Murphy

The co-creator and producer of the FX series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette'.

Connor Hines

The co-creator and writer of the FX series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette'.

Sean Baker

The director of the film 'Starlet', which Hemingway credits with launching her acting career.

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What they’re saying

“I reached out. I have no expectations of her reaching out to me in any way, but I basically wrote her a love note of how much I appreciate her as a woman, as an actress, and what an honor of my life this has been.”

— Dree Hemingway, Actress (Hollywood Reporter)

“Sean Baker is responsible for my most unexpected moment [with Starlet]. I really owe my whole entire career to him.”

— Dree Hemingway, Actress (Hollywood Reporter)

The takeaway

Hemingway's thoughtful approach to playing Daryl Hannah, including reaching out to the actress directly, demonstrates her deep respect and appreciation for the iconic figure she is portraying. This personal touch adds an extra layer of authenticity to her performance in the highly anticipated FX series.