LOS ANGELES, Aug 20 - A TV series launching next month delves into the impeachment of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and actress Monica Lewinsky said she hopes it might redeem her in the eyes of some viewers.
The Productions Group revealed a unusual level of involvement in Impeachment: American Crime Story, said Lewinsky on Friday ahead of the Sept. 7 premiere on Walt Disney Co's FX network. She provided feedback on scripts and approved dialogue recited by Feldstein, the Booksmart star who plays the former intern.
Lewinsky said she developed a friendship with Feldstein, meeting once in person before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and exchanging words and videos.
She was incredibly giving, and I made it very clear to her when we started filming that I saw myself as her bodyguard," Feldstein said at a Television Critics Association event.
Lewinsky said the actress told Peter Lewinsky: I'm going to protect you. Clinton began an affair with Lewinsky at age 22. New York City lied about his relationship, but initially apologized. He was acquitted by the U.S. House of RepresentativesU.S. House of Representatives but impeached by the Senate.
Feldstein said she was too young to have impressions from that time, but has heard negative recollections and it was deeply important for me to unravel this and redeem her
Lewinsky had become a punch line and criticised her appearance and actions, producers said, but was unable to speak freely because of an agreement that provided immunity from prosecution.
Our culture kind of created a second Monica Lewinsky which doesn't bear any relationship to the real person, said writer Sarah Burgess.
The series also tells the story from the perspective of Lewinsky's friend Paula Jones, who secretly recorded their phone conversation, and Linda Tripp, who accuses Clinton of exposing himself in front of her when he was governor of Arkansas.
Impeachment is part of the Emmy-winning American Crime Story series that examined the O.J. The creators explore crimes that we are collectively guilty of as Americans, executive producer Nina Jacobson said, and I can't think of a story that fits the bill any better than this one.
We deeply connected in the way we treated these women, represented these women, said and said she thinks. In many respects, we are as guilty as the rest of them minus the tape recording.