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Monica Lewinsky Produced 'American Crime Story' Season 3 Based on Bill Clinton's Impeachment

Junie Sihlangu
Aug 08, 2019
04:00 P.M.

Ryan Murphy was the one who convinced Monica Lewinsky to help produce his series exploring the investigation of former President Bill Clinton.

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On Tuesday, FX revealed that the third installment in Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story” franchise would focus on Monica Lewinsky, former President Bill Clinton, and his impeachment trial. All three became big news in the late ’90s.

Linda Tripp will be played by Sarah Paulson while Lewinsky’s role will be taken on by Beanie Feldstein. Paula Jones will be acted by Annaleigh Ashford but the actors for the Clintons haven’t yet been named.

Monica Lewinsky at TLC's Give A Little Awards at NeueHouse Hollywood on September 27, 2017 in Los Angeles | Photo: Getty Images

Monica Lewinsky at TLC's Give A Little Awards at NeueHouse Hollywood on September 27, 2017 in Los Angeles | Photo: Getty Images

LEWINSKY SHARES THAT SHE WAS SCARED TO PRODUCE THE SERIES

Lewinsky will have the honor of producing “Impeachment: American Crime Story.” Murphy met her last year and told her she should co-produce the season with him and get paid for it.

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In a statement, Lewinsky explained how scared she initially was to work on the project. However, after having dinner with Murphy she realized that he wanted to give a voice to the “marginalized.”

Former President Bill Clinton speaking at Georgetown University's Gaston Hall on November 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. | Photo: Getty Images

Former President Bill Clinton speaking at Georgetown University's Gaston Hall on November 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. | Photo: Getty Images

WHY SHE CHOSE TO DO IT

The main reason why she was working on the docu-series was that she could. She also loved that the story was being tackled by a large team that mainly consisted of women.

Lewinsky explained how most of the books written about Clinton’s impeachment were written by men. However, there’s one main goal for her working on this project.

Monica Lewinsky at the 2019 Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on May 13, 2019 in New York City | Photo: Getty Images

Monica Lewinsky at the 2019 Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on May 13, 2019 in New York City | Photo: Getty Images

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She explained what she hoped to attain by noting:

“I hope that by participating, by telling the truth about a time in my life—a time in our history—I can help ensure that what happened to me never happens to another young person in our country again.”

Lewinsky also stated the relevance of the documentary since it focused on impeachment as that was one of the main thoughts circulating around President Donald Trump.

Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House function in 1998 | Photo: Getty Images

Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House function in 1998 | Photo: Getty Images

WHEN WILL IT AIR AND WHAT IT'S BASED ON

The co-producer also shared that the series might not have all the true details of the event but having women telling it was good enough for her. “Impeachment: American Crime Story” will premiere on Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.

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The series is an adaptation of Jeffrey Toobin’s 1999 book, “A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President.” Its release will coincide with the final stretch of the next presidential election.

WHY CLINTON WAS IMPEACHED WHILE SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT

In the 90s, Clinton cheated on his wife by having a relationship with then-22-year-old White House intern Lewinsky. Last year in an interview, the former president confessed that he was right to fight his 1998 impeachment, rather than resign.

Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice for lying about his relationship with Lewinsky, but he was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.

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