Looks like American Crime Story is returning after all. And this time, it’s set to tackle one of the most infamous political moments in United States history—the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.
Set to be produced by Lewinsky herself, Impeachment: American Crime Story, will be centered around the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton, and will star Booksmart’s Beanie Feldstein as a young Lewinsky.
The show will also see Sarah Paulson—known for her work in American Horror Story and her award-winning portrayal of Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson—play former civil servant Linda Tripp. Annaleigh Ashford from The Assassination of Gianni Versace will play Paula Jones.
The casting of the other roles, including who will play the Clintons, has not yet been announced, and the show is set to air in late 2020.
At the Television Critics Association press tour, FX Productions and Networks chairman John Landgraf spoke about the importance of telling this story.
“FX’s American Crime Story franchise has become a cultural touchstone, providing greater context for stories that deserve greater understanding like the O.J. Simpson trial and saga, and Andrew Cunanan’s tragic crime spree which concluded with the assassination of Gianni Versace,” Landgraf said. “This franchise re-examines some of the most complicated, polarizing stories in recent history in a way that is relevant, nuanced and entertaining. Impeachment: American Crime Story will likewise explore the overlooked dimensions of the women who found themselves caught up in the scandal and political war that cast a long shadow over the Clinton Presidency.”
After the season’s announcement, the many users on Twitter could hardly contain their excitement. And of course, the jokes regarding Lewinsky’s participation were endless.
User @TrueTeaBrewer tweeted, “Hillary Clinton: Why would you make a whole American Crime Story season about us? Monica Lewinsky:
Hillary Clinton: Why would you make a whole American Crime Story season about us?
— 🤠 (@TrueTeaBrewer) August 7, 2019
Monica Lewinsky: pic.twitter.com/0TbRyI2NfS
“Bill Clinton when he watches season 3 of American Crime Story about him and Monica Lewinsky,” tweeted @seany_mcbuckets
Bill Clinton when he watches season 3 of American Crime Story about him and Monica Lewinsky pic.twitter.com/ogBxeWBcGE
— Sean Morton (@seany_mcbuckets) August 7, 2019
“Hillary Clinton watching the new season of American Crime Story on Monica Lewinsky,” tweeted @cacklingapple
Hillary Clinton watching the new season of American Crime Story on Monica Lewinsky pic.twitter.com/yfwlCoaw4C
— 🦏 (@cacklingapple) August 7, 2019
Lewinsky recounted to Vanity Fair how her involvement in the show came to be, after running into American Crime Story creator Ryan Murphy at a Hollywood party. He allegedly told her, “Nobody should tell your story but you, and it’s kind of gross if they do. If you want to produce it with me, I would love that; but you should be the producer, and you should make all the goddamn money.”
“After a lengthy dinner meeting with Ryan, I came to understand even more clearly how dedicated he is to giving a voice to the marginalized in all of his brilliant work. I’m privileged to work with him and the other talented people on the team, and I’m privileged to have this opportunity,” Lewinsky wrote to Vanity Fair. “People have been co-opting and telling my part in this story for decades. In fact, it wasn’t until the past few years that I’ve been able to fully reclaim my narrative; almost 20 years later. But I’m so grateful for the growth we’ve made as a society that allows people like me who have been historically silenced to finally reintroduce my voice to the conversation.”
Production will begin in February and the show will premiere Sept. 27, at 10pm ET. Right in time for the 2020 presidential election.
READ MORE:
- Hillary Clinton says Monica Lewinsky’s adult age eradicated Bill Clinton’s abuses of power
- Monica Lewinsky ‘bawled’ when she saw Hannah Gadsby’s ‘Nanette’
- Bill Clinton’s personal apology to Monica Lewinsky is long overdue
Got five minutes? We’d love to hear from you. Help shape our journalism and be entered to win an Amazon gift card by filling out our 2019 reader survey.