Monica Lewinsky to produce new American Crime Story on Clinton affair
Gripping drama starring Beanie Feldstein will retell events surrounding former White House intern’s affair with US president that led to his impeachment in 1998
Francine Wolfisz is the Features Editor for Jewish News.
Monica Lewinsky’s much-publicised affair with President Bill Clinton, which led to impeachment proceedings, is the focus of the latest drama from American Crime Story.
Lewinsky has signed on as a producer, while her part will be played by Booksmart actress Beanie Feldstein.
The series, created by prolific TV producer Ryan Murphy, is titled Impeachment and will premiere in September 2020, network FX said.
Murphy’s frequent collaborator Sarah Paulson will star as Linda Tripp, the civil servant who secretly recorded Lewinsky’s confidential phone calls about her affair with the president.
Annaleigh Ashford will portray Paula Jones, who sued Mr Clinton for sexual harassment.
The series is based on Jeffrey Toobin’s best-seller A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story Of The Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down A President.
Murphy originally bought the rights to bring the book to TV in 2017 but admitted to having doubts about telling the story without Lewinsky’s involvement.
Lewinsky was a 22-year-old White House intern when she had an affair with then 49-year-old Mr Clinton, while he was US president between 1995 and 1997.
She was subjected to intense public scrutiny following what he called an “inappropriate relationship” and later admitted her mental health took a battering during the scandal.
Impeachment proceedings were launched, but Mr Clinton was cleared of charges of perjury and obstruction of justice following a 21-day Senate trial.
This will be the third series of American Crime Story.
The first explored the murder trial of O J Simpson, while the second looked at the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace.
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