The third season of American Crime Story will focus on the scandal of president Bill Clinton’s impeachment and his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Premiering on FX in 2015, the anthology has so far focused exclusively on cultural events which defined the 90’s. For its first season, American Crime Story relived the spectacle of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Guided by the help of the best-selling book The Run of His Life by Jeffery Toobin, the episodes touched on issues of prejudice, sexism, and a frenzied media landscape.
With standout performers from Sarah Paulson, as prosecutor Marcia Clark, and Sterling K. Brown, as Christopher Darden, the mini-series helped to introduce the infamous trial to a new generation of viewers. It won several awards for the talent involved, both in front of and behind the camera. In its second season, the show explored the murder of Gianni Versace by the serial killer Andrew Cunanan. For his portrayal of Cunanan, Darren Criss received an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
According to Variety, Beanie Feldstein (star of Booksmart and Lady Bird) will play Monica Lewinsky. In addition to Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky, the third season will feature Sarah Paulson and Annaleigh Ashford. Paulson, a regular in Ryan Murphy’s projects, will play Linda Tripp. Tripp is the civil servant who recorded private conversations in which Lewinsky discussed her affair with Clinton. Ashford will portray Paula Jones, who accused the former president of sexually harassing her when he was the governor of Arkansas and sued him for damages. With a premiere set for September 2020, the third season will draw from A Vast Conspiracy, which is another best-selling book by Toobin.
It was previously announced that the third season would explore on the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Despite a set of announcements and talks of a pivot, it appears plans to bring that story to the screen are on hold for now. Though casting several prominent figures, including the Clintons, that have yet to be revealed, production is set to begin in February. Sarah Burgess is set to pen the episodes, also serving as executive producer alongside Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander. Lewinsky herself will be involved with the project as a producer.
It is a safe bet that the anthology will look at a well-known moment in history with fresh eyes. Where the first season tackled racism and questions of fairness and the second season garnered praise for examining the effects of loneliness and isolation, American Crime Story’s third outing will likely be zeroed in on the complexities of #MeToo in a partisan, political backdrop.
More: How American Crime Story: Versace Differs From People v. O.J.
Source: Variety
