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The Impeachment: American Crime Story cast vs their real-life characters

Now that's some seriously good casting.
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In the late nineties, one of the world’s biggest sex scandals took place when then president Bill Clinton’s affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky was exposed. Now, Impeachment: American Crime Story is re-telling that tale.

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Set in 1998, Impeachment: American Crime Story, which is now available to watch in Australia on Binge, follows the events leading up to Clinton’s impeachment where he lied to investigators about his sexual relationship with the then 22-year-old.

Monica Lewinsky also serves as one of the show’s producers – she read the scripts, gave notes on scenes and worked closely with actress Beanie Feldstein, who plays her in the series.

We have to admit the casting is on point, take a look at how much the actors look like their real-life counterparts!

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Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky. (Credit: FX/Getty) (Credit: FX/Getty)
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Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky

Booksmart star Beanie Feldstein described her experience working on the show as “incredibly moving.”

“I was in London when Ryan Murphy called me…and he was like ‘Do you want to play Monica Lewinsky in the third installment of American Crime Story and do you want to be a producer?'” she explained to late night TV host Jimmy Fallon. “And it was the most empowering moment. It was such a massive deal.”

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Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp. (Credit: FX/Getty) (Credit: FX/Getty)

Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp

American Crime Story star Sarah plays Linda Tripp, the former White House secretary who exposed the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair, but came under fire for wearing a fat suit for the role.

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Speaking to the LA Times, Sarah admitted that she regrets not thinking about it more fully, and added that it’s an important thing for her to think about and reflect on.

“I also know it’s a privileged place to be sitting and thinking about it and reflecting on it, having already gotten to do it, and having had an opportunity that someone else didn’t have. You can only learn what you learn when you learn it. Should I have known? Abso-f—ing-lutely. But I do now. And I wouldn’t make the same choice going forward.”

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Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton. (Credit: FX/Getty) (Credit: FX/Getty)

Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton

Playing the role of former First Lady Hillary Clinton is Sopranos star Edie Falco, who said that the series gives “a voice to a lot of the people whose voices we didn’t hear in the telling of it on the news”.

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“For Edie, she really respects Hillary Clinton, and she brought a lot of that to the role,” producer Brad Simpson revealed to the Hollywood Reporter. “But it’s a very big weight when you’re playing a real person, and so every actor had their concerns.” 

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Clive Owen as Bill Clinton. (Credit: FX/Getty) (Credit: FX/Getty)

Clive Owen as Bill Clinton

Even if you didn’t follow the scandal, you will no doubt remember the then president declaring “I did not have sexual relations with that woman”.

But when actor Clive Owen was approached to play Clinton by the show’s executive producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Simpson, he was surprised.

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“To be honest with you, I said to them, why are you coming to me?” he told Vanity Fair. “One: I’m English. And two: I don’t really look like him.”

It’s amazing what hair and makeup can do…

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Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones. (Credit: FX/Getty) (Credit: FX/Getty)

Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones

In 1994, civil servant Paula filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Bill Clinton and taking on her role in the series is Tony award winner, Annaleigh Ashford.

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“I specifically remember Paula Jones being made fun of because of her nose and her looks, and often being called trailer trash, even though she never lived in a trailer park, which I find fascinating,” she told Entertainment Weekly.

“It was like her accent and her looks made her a target.”

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