Dree Hemingway discovered she would portray a character inspired by the story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette through online news, just like everyone else. Immediately intrigued, she contacted her manager expressing her desire to join the project, which is titled “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.”
In a twist of fate, Hemingway was later invited to audition for the role of Daryl Hannah, who was romantically linked to JFK Jr. in the early ’90s before he married Bessette. Hemingway has long admired Hannah, citing her impressive acting career and philanthropy. “She’s a passionate woman, and I think that’s really cool,” Hemingway remarked, reflecting on Hannah’s prominence during a transformative era for actresses.
Hemingway, now 38, originally made her mark as a model but has transitioned to acting, with the opportunity to film in New York City bringing her joy. “Everything was in New York, so it was very authentic to New York City. I think New York City is its own character within this,” she stated, praising the city’s vibrant fashion and music scene.
While she did not meet Hannah during her preparation, Hemingway worked with a dialect coach to emulate Hannah’s voice and immersed herself in her interviews and performances. “It was also really just taking what [show writer and creator] Connor Hines had written and putting it into action,” she added.
Hemingway has had a passion for performance since childhood, even staging impromptu plays for her family. Although she participated in theater and ballet during her youth, it took her a couple of years post-high school to feel ready to dive deeper into acting. She emphasized that being an actress often requires drawing upon life experiences.
Looking ahead, Hemingway is set to star in “The Girl,” a film based on the memoir of Samantha Geimer, who was sexually assaulted by Roman Polanski. In this production, Haitian newcomer Carolyn Kachen will portray Samantha, while Hemingway will assume the role of Geimer’s mother, Susan. The project, directed by Marina Ziolkowski, is being fully produced in France.
Expressing enthusiasm for this challenging subject matter, Hemingway remarked, “I think the script is so beautiful and done in a way that is really delicate… I really like the studying of characters that goes into it.” Her commitment to portraying real-life scenarios reflects her dedication to the craft and the depth of stories that captivates her as an actress.