Daryl Hannah Slams Portrayal in Ryan Murphy's "Love Story"

The actress calls out the FX series for inaccurate depictions of her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Actress Daryl Hannah has published an op-ed in the New York Times criticizing the portrayal of her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. in the FX series "Love Story." Hannah says the show's depiction of her is "not even a remotely accurate representation" of her life and conduct, and she disputes several specific scenes and behaviors attributed to her character. She also notes the Kennedy family's preference for privacy and says her "silence should not be mistaken for agreement with lies."

Why it matters

The "Love Story" series has become a major hit, but Hannah's op-ed highlights the challenges of dramatizing real-life relationships and the potential impact on the reputations of those portrayed, especially when the lines between fact and fiction become blurred.

The details

In her op-ed, Hannah refutes several specific incidents portrayed in the series, including claims that she used cocaine, pressured anyone into marriage, desecrated family heirlooms, or compared Jacqueline Onassis' death to a dog's. She says these "are not creative embellishments of personality" but "assertions about conduct" that are false. Hannah also notes that as a private person, she has chosen not to battle previous "outrageous lies" about her, but felt compelled to speak out about the "tragedy-exploiting" series.

  • The "Love Story" series has become the most streamed limited series ever on Hulu and Disney+.

The players

Daryl Hannah

An American actress known for films like "Steel Magnolias" and "Splash," who had an on-again, off-again relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. prior to his marriage to Carolyn Bessette.

John F. Kennedy Jr.

The son of President John F. Kennedy, who had a relationship with Daryl Hannah before marrying Carolyn Bessette.

Carolyn Bessette

A publicist at Calvin Klein who married John F. Kennedy Jr. and is the focus of the "Love Story" series.

Ryan Murphy

The creator of the FX series "Love Story" that dramatizes the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

FX

The television network that aired the "Love Story" series.

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What they’re saying

“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 behaviors attributed to me are untrue.”

— Daryl Hannah (New York Times)

“I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties. I have never pressured anyone into marriage. I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone's private memorial. I have never planted any story in the press. I never compared Jacqueline Onassis' death to a dog's.”

— Daryl Hannah (New York Times)

“My silence should not be mistaken for agreement with lies. Apparently, my discretion makes me a target.”

— Daryl Hannah (New York Times)

What’s next

Ryan Murphy and FX have yet to respond to Hannah's op-ed criticizing the portrayal of her in the "Love Story" series.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges of dramatizing real-life relationships in entertainment, and the potential consequences when the lines between fact and fiction become blurred, especially for the real people involved.