Variety has confirmed that the third season of American Crime Story will focus on the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. The announcement was made Tuesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
The season, subtitled Impeachment, will be based on Jeffrey Toobin’s book A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President. The three stars so far locked into star are Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky, Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp, and Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones. Production is scheduled to begin in February 2020 with the premiere slated for September 27, 2020 on FX.
Lewinsky will also serve as producer, meaning we will no doubt be seeing a clearer picture of these events from her side.
In a statement, John Landgraf, chairman of FX Networks and FX Productions, said:
“FX’s ‘American Crime Story’ franchise has become a cultural touchstone, providing greater context for stories that deserve greater understanding like the O.J. Simpson trial and saga, and Andrew Cunanan’s tragic crime spree which concluded with the assassination of Gianni Versace,” “This franchise re-examines some of the most complicated, polarizing stories in recent history in a way that is relevant, nuanced and entertaining. ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ will likewise explore the overlooked dimensions of the women who found themselves caught up in the scandal and political war that cast a long shadow over the Clinton Presidency. We are grateful to Sarah Burgess for her brilliant adaptation, as well as Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, Larry Karaszewski, Scott Alexander, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sarah Paulson and the rest of the creative team and cast.”
The Impeachment season has been in development since 2017, but last we had heard had been cancelled (along with a season focused on the Hurricane Katrina aftermath). It now looks like Impeachment is back in full force. Season 1 of ACS took audiences by storm, and for someone who didn’t grow up watching the O.J. Simpson trial, it was thrilling to watch it unfold, even if fictionalized.
I am interested to see how the show handles the Clinton impeachment, and who they end up casting as the Clintons.
Have you watched the previous seasons of American Crime Story? What are your thoughts on the third season focusing on the Monica Lewinsky scandal?
