FX’s critically acclaimed series Impeachment: American Crime Story has captivated audiences by dramatizing one of the most explosive political scandals in U.S. history—the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Based on Jeffrey Toobin’s bestselling book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson collaborator Monica Lewinsky’s story, the show is a masterclass in blending historical accuracy with cinematic tension. But what makes this series truly gripping isn’t just the scandal itself—it’s the way it humanizes the figures involved while exposing the raw emotions, political machinations, and media frenzy that defined the era.
With a star-studded cast led by Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky, Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp, and Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones, the show reimagines a pivotal moment in American politics with unprecedented depth. Yet behind the performances lies a web of real-life intrigue, betrayal, and public scrutiny that continues to resonate today. As we peel back the layers of this dramatic retelling, we’ll explore the full cast, the historical context, and the lasting impact of the Clinton-Lewinsky affair on politics, media, and society.
Meet the Full Cast of "Impeachment: American Crime Story"
FX’s limited series doesn’t just rely on a few standout performances—it assembles a powerhouse cast that brings the scandal to life with chilling authenticity. Below, we break down the key players, their real-life counterparts, and the actors who brought them to the screen.
Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky – The Woman at the Center of the Storm
Beanie Feldstein, known for her roles in Booksmart and Hello, Dolly!, delivers a career-defining performance as Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern whose affair with President Bill Clinton led to the first impeachment of a sitting U.S. president in over a century. Feldstein’s portrayal captures Lewinsky’s youth, vulnerability, and resilience as she navigates the glare of public humiliation, legal battles, and relentless media scrutiny.
In interviews, Feldstein has spoken about the responsibility of playing such a polarizing figure. “Monica is someone who has been so vilified and misunderstood,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “Part of the challenge was making sure people saw her humanity.” The show doesn’t shy away from depicting Lewinsky’s emotional turmoil, including her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, making her one of the most complex female characters in modern television.
Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp – The "Friend" Who Betrayed Monica
Sarah Paulson, a veteran of FX’s American Crime Story franchise (having previously played Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson), takes on the role of Linda Tripp, the Pentagon employee whose secret recordings of Lewinsky’s phone calls ignited the scandal. Paulson’s performance is a masterclass in nuance—Tripp is neither a villain nor a hero, but a flawed woman caught between loyalty and self-preservation.
Tripp’s real-life betrayal of Lewinsky has made her one of the most controversial figures in the scandal. The show explores her motivations, including her desire to protect herself amid her own legal troubles (she was later charged with wiretapping but avoided prison by cooperating with prosecutors). Paulson’s ability to humanize such a divisive figure adds layers of complexity to the narrative.
Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones – The Woman Who Started It All
Annaleigh Ashford, known for her Broadway roles in Hair and Kinky Boots, plays Paula Jones, the Arkansas state employee whose sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton set the impeachment process in motion. Jones’ case was initially dismissed, but it laid the groundwork for Kenneth Starr’s investigation into the Lewinsky affair.
Ashford’s portrayal emphasizes Jones’ determination and frustration as she navigates a legal system stacked against her. While Jones’ claims were ultimately settled out of court (for $850,000), her role in exposing Clinton’s misconduct cannot be overstated. The show gives her a voice long denied by history.
Ed Harris as Bill Clinton – The President Who Defied Conventions
Ed Harris, a three-time Oscar nominee, embodies the charisma, arrogance, and moral failings of President Bill Clinton. Harris’ performance is a study in contrasts—Clinton is both a brilliant politician and a man who repeatedly crossed lines he knew were dangerous. The show delves into his relationship with Lewinsky, his denial of the affair under oath, and the political fallout that followed.
Harris has described playing Clinton as a “daunting” challenge due to the former president’s larger-than-life persona. “He’s a man who could charm the pants off anyone—or so he thought,” Harris told Variety. The series doesn’t shy away from depicting Clinton’s reckless behavior, including his pattern of sexual misconduct that predated Lewinsky.
Margo Martindale as Lucianne Goldberg – The Puppeteer Behind the Scenes
Margo Martindale, a beloved character actress, plays Lucianne Goldberg, the literary agent and conservative commentator who encouraged Linda Tripp to record her conversations with Monica Lewinsky. Goldberg’s real-life role in orchestrating the scandal’s exposure is often overlooked, but the show positions her as a key architect of Clinton’s downfall.
Martindale’s portrayal is both chilling and darkly humorous, capturing Goldberg’s unapologetic glee in bringing down a Democratic president. “She was a force of nature,” Martindale said in an interview. “You couldn’t help but be fascinated by her.”
Clive Owen as Jeffrey Epstein – The Shadowy Figure in Clinton’s Past
Though his role is smaller, Clive Owen’s portrayal of Jeffrey Epstein adds a layer of eerie foreshadowing. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was a frequent visitor to Clinton’s White House and later became a symbol of elite corruption. The show hints at his connections to figures like Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell, though Epstein’s role in the scandal remains speculative.
Owen’s presence in the cast serves as a reminder of how the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal was just one thread in a much larger tapestry of power, privilege, and exploitation.
Other Notable Cast Members
- Dan Stevens as Mike Emmick – The prosecuting attorney who built the case against Clinton.
- Taran Killam as Steve Jones – Monica Lewinsky’s father, whose strained relationship with his daughter adds emotional depth.
- Billy Eichner as Matt Drudge – The tabloid journalist whose reporting sensationalized the scandal.
- Colin Hanks as James Comey – The young FBI agent involved in the investigation.
- Elizabeth Reaser as Hillary Clinton – A rare on-screen appearance for the former First Lady, hinting at her private struggles during the scandal.
How "Impeachment" Stays True to Real-Life Events
The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal wasn’t just a political circus—it was a media frenzy, a legal battle, and a cultural earthquake that reshaped American discourse. Impeachment: American Crime Story walks a tightrope between dramatization and historical fidelity, using real events as its foundation while filling in the emotional gaps left by history books.
The Affair That Shook the Nation
In 1995, 22-year-old Monica Lewinsky began an affair with President Bill Clinton while working as an intern at the White House. The relationship, which lasted nearly two years, was characterized by Clinton’s manipulation and Lewinsky’s emotional dependence. When Lewinsky confided in coworker Linda Tripp about the affair, Tripp secretly recorded their conversations and handed the tapes to independent counsel Kenneth Starr.
The scandal erupted in January 1998 when The Washington Post broke the story. Clinton initially denied the affair in a now-infamous press conference, declaring, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” His perjury and obstruction of justice led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 1998, though he was acquitted by the Senate.
The Media’s Role in the Scandal
One of the most disturbing aspects of the Clinton-Lewinsky affair was the media’s obsession with it. News outlets treated Lewinsky like a tabloid curiosity, dissecting her appearance, her body language, and her personal life. The show highlights this relentless coverage, including the infamous “Starr Report,” which included graphic details of the affair and was published online for the world to see.
“The media’s role in this scandal was toxic,” says Impeachment creator Ryan Murphy. “They turned a human being into a punchline.” The series doesn’t shy away from depicting the media’s complicity in Lewinsky’s public shaming, from Matt Drudge’s sensationalist reporting to the late-night comedy jokes that reduced her to a caricature.
The Legal Battle That Led to Impeachment
The impeachment of Bill Clinton was the culmination of a years-long investigation spearheaded by Kenneth Starr, a conservative prosecutor whose zealotry often overshadowed the legal merits of the case. Starr’s team subpoenaed Lewinsky, who was granted immunity in exchange for her testimony. Her detailed accounts of the affair, combined with Clinton’s sworn denial, created a legal quagmire.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The Senate trial, however, ended in acquittal, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats in voting to acquit. The political fallout was immense, with Clinton’s approval ratings skyrocketing despite the scandal.
Monica Lewinsky’s Fight for Redemption
While Clinton’s political career survived the scandal, Lewinsky’s life was irrevocably altered. She became a pariah, losing jobs, friendships, and her sense of self-worth. In the years that followed, she became an advocate for cyberbullying prevention and a vocal critic of media sensationalism.
The show dedicates significant screen time to Lewinsky’s post-scandal journey, including her 2014 Vanity Fair essay, “Shame and Survival,” where she wrote, “I, Monica Lewinsky, am a social trauma survivor.” Beanie Feldstein’s performance ensures that Lewinsky’s humanity is never lost in the retelling.
The Cultural Impact of the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
The impeachment of Bill Clinton wasn’t just a political event—it was a cultural turning point that exposed the dark underbelly of power, media, and public shaming. The scandal’s ripple effects can still be felt today, from the rise of cancel culture to the weaponization of social media.
How the Scandal Changed American Politics
Clinton’s impeachment set a precedent for future political scandals, proving that even the most powerful figures could be held accountable—though often selectively. It also reinforced the idea that personal scandals could be weaponized for political gain, a tactic later employed against figures like Donald Trump and Brett Kavanaugh.
The scandal also highlighted the partisan divide in American politics. Republicans saw Clinton’s impeachment as a necessary moral reckoning, while Democrats viewed it as a partisan witch hunt. This polarization deepened the cultural rift that continues to define U.S. politics today.
The Media’s Obsession with Scandal
The Clinton-Lewinsky affair marked the beginning of the 24-hour news cycle and the era of tabloid journalism as a dominant force in politics. Outlets like The Drudge Report and Entertainment Tonight treated the scandal like a reality TV show, prioritizing ratings over journalistic integrity.
This media frenzy laid the groundwork for today’s political landscape, where scandals are dissected in real time on Twitter and cable news, and public figures are judged—and canceled—within hours. The show’s depiction of this phenomenon serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sensationalism.
The Rise of Cancel Culture
While the term “cancel culture” didn’t exist in the 1990s, the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal was an early example of how public shaming could destroy a person’s life. Lewinsky was hounded by paparazzi, mocked in late-night comedy, and reduced to a punchline in pop culture. Decades later, she would become an unlikely advocate for anti-bullying efforts.
The show draws parallels between Lewinsky’s treatment and modern instances of public shaming, from social media pile-ons to the #MeToo movement. “Monica’s story is a precursor to what happens when society weaponizes shame,” says Impeachment writer Sarah Burgess. “We haven’t learned our lesson.”
Behind the Scenes: The Making of "Impeachment"
Creating a series as ambitious as Impeachment: American Crime Story required meticulous research, sensitive storytelling, and a commitment to historical accuracy. The production team went to great lengths to ensure that the characters—both real and fictionalized—were portrayed with nuance and respect.
Ryan Murphy’s Vision
Ryan Murphy, the creator of American Crime Story, has made a career out of tackling controversial subjects with a mix of drama and authenticity. For Impeachment, he sought to humanize all parties involved, even those who played antagonistic roles.
“This wasn’t about assigning blame,” Murphy told The New York Times. “It was about showing how a perfect storm of ambition, power, and media sensationalism led to one of the most defining moments in modern American history.” Murphy’s approach ensured that the series avoided the trap of moralizing, instead inviting viewers to draw their own conclusions.
Consulting with Real-Life Figures
To ensure accuracy, Murphy and his team consulted with Monica Lewinsky herself, who served as a producer and advisor on the series. Lewinsky’s involvement was crucial in shaping Lewinsky’s portrayal, ensuring that Feldstein’s performance stayed true to her real-life experiences.
“Beanie’s performance is incredible because she captured things about me that even I had forgotten,” Lewinsky said in an interview. “It was both empowering and terrifying to see my story told this way.” Other real-life figures, including Linda Tripp’s family, were also consulted, though their involvement was more limited due to the controversy surrounding Tripp’s role.
The Challenges of Recreating the 1990s
From fashion to technology, the 1990s were a distinct era, and Impeachment spares no expense in recreating the look and feel of the time. The production team scoured archives for period-accurate clothing, props, and set designs, from Monica Lewinsky’s infamous blue dress (a key piece of evidence in the scandal) to the clunky desktop computers of the era.
“We wanted the audience to feel like they were stepping into a time machine,” says production designer Ruth De Jong. “Every detail, from the Oval Office’s decor to the newsroom’s layout, had to reflect the authenticity of the 1990s.”
Why "Impeachment" Resonates Today
In an era where political scandals dominate headlines and public figures are routinely canceled, Impeachment: American Crime Story feels more relevant than ever. The series isn’t just a retelling of a historical event—it’s a mirror held up to modern society, reflecting our own obsessions with power, scandal, and redemption.
The Parallels to Modern Political Scandals
The Clinton-Lewinsky affair may have happened over two decades ago, but its themes echo in today’s political landscape. From the #MeToo movement to the impeachment trials of Donald Trump, the playbook of scandal and public shaming remains largely unchanged.
Consider the similarities between Clinton’s impeachment and Trump’s first impeachment in 2019. Both involved allegations of abuse of power, attempts to cover up misconduct, and a media frenzy that shaped public opinion. The difference
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