Marilyn Monroe TV series to explore ties to the Mafia, Kennedys

A Marilyn Monroe TV show is coming — and its plot lives up to the title of her classic film “Some Like it Hot.”

The series, which isn’t attached to a network yet, will explore the icon’s final weeks before her death in 1962 at age 36 from an overdose of barbiturates. At the time, her death was ruled a suicide, but that hasn’t stopped conspiracy theories.

Helmed by 101 Studios, the UK production company behind Kevin Costner’s series “Yellowstone,” the still-untitled show will feature Monroe caught between warring factions of the Mafia, the Kennedy political dynasty and the Hollywood elite, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The project is based on the controversial book “Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years” by Keith Badman.

“Beloved movie legend Marilyn Monroe has had many memoirs created about her life, but none quite like this,” 101 Studios CEO David Glasser told the outlet. “Keith Badman has uncovered gems of never-before-released details, centered around the last few months of her sensationalized life and the accusations made. The series pays homage to the bright star whose life was extinguished too early.”

The series would also feature Kennedy brother-in-law Peter Lawford — reportedly the last person she spoke to before her death, as well as “The Seven Year Itch” star’s alleged affairs with both JFK and RFK.

In Badman’s book, he claims that Monroe had a one night stand with JFK but was not involved with RFK. He also details an incident in which Monroe was allegedly sexually exploited by mobsters at a hotel co-owned by Frank Sinatra. (The 2015 biography “Sinatra: The Chairman” however, claims Old Blue Eyes considered marrying the movie star, just to save her.)

The last actress to don Monroe’s iconic platinum locks was Michelle Williams, who earned an Oscar nod for the movie “My Week With Marilyn” in 2012. Next up: Breakout “Knives Out” star Ana de Armas will play Norma Jeane in “Blonde,” an adaptation of the Joyce Carol Oates book due out later this year.

There’s no word yet on a potential air date for the new TV series.

Original Post https://nypost.com/2020/02/06/marilyn-monroe-tv-series-to-explore-ties-to-the-mafia-kennedys/