When FX and Hulu launched their latest drama, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, on February 12, 2026, it was clear the series would ignite both fascination and controversy. Chronicling the whirlwind romance and tragic end of one of America’s most iconic couples, the show not only invites viewers into the private world of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, but also reopens old wounds and debates about the ethics of dramatizing real-life tragedies. The series, executive produced by Ryan Murphy and created by Connor Hines, is based on Elizabeth Beller’s book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
From the outset, Love Story sets a dramatic tone, opening on July 16, 1999—the day John, Carolyn, and her sister Lauren Bessette boarded a small plane that would crash into the Atlantic Ocean, ending all three of their lives. According to Mashable, the show avoids sensationalizing the crash itself, cutting away before the fatal moment, but the shadow of tragedy lingers throughout the narrative. The series then travels back in time, exploring the separate lives of its leads before their paths crossed: he, the magnetic heir to a political dynasty, and she, a rising star at Calvin Klein in the 1990s, known for her self-assured presence and style.
Paul Anthony Kelly, a newcomer to Hollywood, steps into the role of JFK Jr. with what critics have described as a “nervy charm.” For Kelly, this marks his first major acting role, a leap from his earlier modeling work and minor appearances in television, as noted by Decider. His Instagram, under the name Paul Anthony Widziszewski-Kelly, reveals little beyond travel and modeling snaps, reflecting a personal life kept largely out of the spotlight. Prior to Love Story, Kelly’s only screen credits were two episodes of Body Language back in 2010, and he is slated for an upcoming role in The Venery of Samantha Bird. Kelly’s journey to the series included years of theater work in Los Angeles, a fact he shared with followers when he posted a highlighted script from one of his productions in 2024.
Sarah Pidgeon, who plays Carolyn Bessette, is already known for her work in I Know What You Did Last Summer. Her portrayal of Carolyn has been described as “pragmatic cool,” particularly in scenes depicting the relentless media scrutiny that plagued the couple. According to Mashable, Pidgeon’s performance shines in moments that capture Carolyn’s internal calculations—balancing her own presence against the burden she feels she places on those around her. The show’s depiction of the paparazzi is almost horror-like, turning them into a “zombie-like horde” that swarms the Kennedys’ car and even attempts to invade their home, illustrating the suffocating environment the couple endured.
But not everyone is pleased with the show’s approach. Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.’s nephew and current congressional candidate in New York, was quick to voice his disapproval. Last year, he publicly criticized the series, accusing it of profiting off the Kennedy legacy “in a grotesque way” and specifically calling out executive producer Ryan Murphy for “making millions” from his family’s story. Murphy, never one to shy away from a rebuttal, responded on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast, dismissing Schlossberg’s anger as “an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don’t remember.”
Despite the heated exchange, the creative team behind Love Story insists they approached the project with care and responsibility. Executive producer Brad Simpson acknowledged the ethical complexities, telling The Associated Press, “I’m not going to pretend like on some level we’re not making an entertainment product out of it, but we’ve tried to be ethical and we’ve tried to be incredibly sincere.” Both Kelly and Pidgeon echoed this sentiment, expressing respect for Schlossberg’s perspective. “I don’t know what it’s like to have a TV show or a movie or a book written about my family, and I understand his sensitivities, and I fully support him speaking his mind,” Pidgeon said. Kelly added, “We tried to have as much integrity and love going into this and retelling that I hope that people see that.”
The show’s creator, Connor Hines, emphasized the extensive research that went into the series. “We obviously had Elizabeth’s book, but I read every single newspaper article that was written about them, every tell-all,” Hines said. “Obviously, all of that material has to be taken with a grain of salt, and you have to be very judicious in terms of how you extract some of this information, because people have their own memories, people have their own slights, but we were exhaustive and diligent in how we approached this and I think that will ring true when people watch it.”
Love Story doesn’t shy away from the couple’s challenges, including the intense tabloid coverage of their relationship’s ups and downs. The show recounts a “magical first date” that fizzled for years, partly due to reports of Kennedy’s renewed involvement with actress Daryl Hannah, played by Dree Hemingway. The series also features Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy and Naomi Watts as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who is depicted as disapproving of both George magazine and her son’s turbulent love life.
The series’ nine-episode arc, with eight episodes previewed by critics ahead of its release, ultimately offers more than just a glossy romance. It critiques the very media frenzy it dramatizes, blurring the line between fiction and reality by recreating public moments and even using real Kennedy family footage. As Mashable notes, “It’s the media frenzy of the ’90s, resurrected in a new form.” Yet, the show strives to avoid the pitfalls of sensationalism, instead focusing on the couple’s efforts to define themselves beyond the myths and expectations that surrounded them—JFK Jr. as more than his father’s heir, and Carolyn as more than a fashion icon’s wife.
Notably, the Kennedy family was not consulted during the making of the series, a detail that further fuels the ongoing debate about the responsibilities of those who bring real lives to the screen. This is not the first time a Kennedy-themed production has faced backlash. In 2011, The History Channel dropped a miniseries about the family after complaints from Kennedy associates about script inaccuracies; it later found a home on Reelz Channel. And the fascination with the Kennedys shows no sign of waning—Netflix has announced a forthcoming series, Kennedy, focusing on the dynasty’s origins, with Michael Fassbender set to play family patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr.
For viewers eager to watch, the first three episodes of Love Story are now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes released every Thursday. Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers, with basic plans starting at $10.99 per month and ad-free options at $18.99. Disney+ bundles that include Hulu start at $12.99 per month, offering fans a range of ways to tune in.
As the series continues to spark conversation, it’s clear that the story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette remains as compelling—and as contested—as ever, inviting viewers to reckon with both the allure and the costs of public fascination.