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Lewinsky had an unusual level of involvement in
"Impeachment: American Crime Story," producers said 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.
Feldstein said she developed a friendship with Lewinsky, meeting
once in person just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and
exchanging texts 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.
The actress said she told Lewinsky: "I'm going to protect you. I
have your back. I know your heart."
Lewinsky began an affair with Clinton when she was 22. Clinton
initially lied about the relationship before apologizing. He was
impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives but acquitted by
the Senate.
Feldstein said she was too young to have impressions from that
time, but she has heard negative recollections and "it was
deeply important to me to unravel that and redeem her."
Lewinsky had become a punch line and had her appearance and
actions criticized, producers said, but was unable to speak
freely because of an agreement that provided her immunity from
prosecution.
"Our culture sort of created a second Monica Lewinsky that
doesn't bear any relationship to the real person," said writer
Sarah Burgess.
The series also tells the story from the viewpoint of Lewinsky's
friend Linda Tripp, who secretly recorded their phone
conversations, and Paula Jones, who accused 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. Simpson murder trial and the
killing of designer Gianni Versace. The creators explore crimes
that "we are guilty of collectively 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 are deeply implicated in the way we represented these women,
treated these women," she said. "We are as guilty as the rest of
them in many respects, minus the tape recording."
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
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