Rosanna Arquette Criticizes ‘Love Story’ Portrayal of Daryl Hannah

Rosanna Arquette is speaking out in defense of Daryl Hannah after the latter condemned FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette and her portrayal therein in a New York Times opinion piece last week.

In the FX series from producer Ryan Murphy, Hannah is played by Dree Hemingway, and her tumultuous relationship with JFK Jr. (played by star Paul Anthony Kelly) has been chronicled throughout the season’s early episodes. Hannah reportedly dated JFK Jr. for more than five years before he married Carolyn Bessette in 1996. The series is centered on his relationship with Bessette.

In a New York Times opinion piece, titled “How Can ‘Love Story’ Get Away With This?” and published last Friday, Hannah condemned the series and its portrayal of her, writing, “The choice to portray [Hannah] as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.”

She argued that what’s portrayed in Love Story is “not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John.” She also countered of her character’s actions in the show: “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. … These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct — and they are false.”

Because of her portrayal in the show, Hannah says she’s received “hostile and even threatening messages” from viewers. “When entertainment borrows a real person’s name, it can permanently impact her reputation,” she writes.

Now Arquette is lending support to Hannah in a post shared on social media.

“I love Daryl Hannah. She’s a great woman, a great actor, writer, director and activist for the environment for years,” Arquette wrote in an Instagram post. “She is also an animal whisperer. Her work in the world has been epic. The portrayal of her on the streaming thing is bullshit.”

As for Hannah’s relationship with Kennedy Jr., Arquette wrote, “Her love with John F Kennedy Jr was real and some of the happiest times John F Kennedy Jr. had – Just ask his family. But no one did.” (Love Story creator Connor Hines has been candid about his decision to not to interview anyone in the Kennedy family for the show.)

Other stars commented on Arquette’s post to also rally behind Hannah.

“I don’t watch that kind of tv. All I know is that I love these gals forever and ever,” Frances Fisher wrote. Debi Mazer commented, “Yes💯.”

Griffin Dunne wrote, “Daryl was treated HORRIBLY but man, can she stick up for stick up for herself. Her op/ed in the Times was brilliant and should have shamed everyone responsible for her gross depiction.”

Say Anything star Ione Skye praised Hannah, writing, “Daryl, the real Daryl Hannah everyone knows and can tell is all the things you say — she’s brilliant. I admire her so much always have.”

Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg has blasted the series for “profiting off” JFK Jr.’s life in a “grotesque way.”

Of Hannah, Kennedy Jr.’s cousin Douglas Kennedy defended the actress telling Page Six, “Daryl Hannah was great. Whenever I saw her, she was very sweet and had [John’s] best interests at heart. I think that’s a misrepresentation.”

Love Story is currently airing to record viewership, with new episodes for the FX limited series premiering on Thursdays.