As we continue to reckon with structures that enable abuse to go unchecked here in Australia, it may provide some relief to know that Ryan Murphy is rounding off his anthology series by revisiting the flammable story of Monica Lewinsky. The FX series Impeachment: American Crime Story will follow the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton and the events leading up to it. This time though, the focus will be on then 22-year-old Lewinsky and the cruelty she faced from US government and media. The actor to play Lewinsky? It's immense talent and fan-favourite, Beanie Feldstein.
In a short trailer released recently, we catch our first glimpse of the series. Feldstein walks along a hallway to the oval office, ominously adorned in red. Tucked under her arms is folder hiding a gift box containing that damning Zegna tie, a gift for president Clinton.
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Who stars in Impeachment: American Crime Story it?
It wouldn't be an American Crime Story drama without an impressive cast. Need I remind you of the absolute chaos that was The Peoples Vs. O. J. Simpson? Clive Owen has been cast as Bill Clinton, with Edie Falco set to play Hillary. Once again, Sarah Paulson will feature, this time as Linda Tripp and Anthony Green as Al Gore. Other cast members include Annaleigh Ashford, Billy Eichner and Brian Maillard.
What is it about?
It goes without saying that the #MeToo movement completely recalibrated how we think about abuse and power. It is only natural then, that we revisit the stories of the people, women mostly, who were publicly failed by systems that protect the powerful. Anita Hill, Britney Spears, Christine Blasey-Ford are some names that spring to mind. This series will bear witness to the stories of survivors.
The series will loosely follow the narrative of Jeffrey Toobin's 1999 book A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President. What distinguishes this retelling of the scandal from those previously is the way the series is explored from the vantage points of the women involved. Monica Lewinsky is even producing on the film. We know it will follow Clintons impeachment, who, was at the time the second president to experience it. We just hope it unveils all the slut-shaming and cruelty that Lewinsky endured.
When will it air?
The series will be available to watch in the US on FX from September 7. Sadly we're still waiting on an Australian release date.
You can watch the trailer to Impeachment: American Crime Story below.
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