FX Unveils Love Story Series On Kennedy Jr. Romance

As the world approaches another Valentine’s Day, FX and Hulu are set to premiere a series that promises to reignite public fascination with one of America’s most iconic couples. “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” the highly anticipated limited series from acclaimed producer Ryan Murphy, debuts on February 12, 2026, and is already making waves with its evocative trailer and star-studded cast.

This first installment in Murphy’s “Love Story” anthology dives deep into the whirlwind romance, marriage, and ultimate tragedy that defined John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s biography, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the series offers an intimate look at the couple’s journey from their first chance meeting to their final days together. According to Variety, the show will premiere with three episodes at 9 p.m. ET, followed by weekly installments until its season finale on March 26.

Paul Anthony Kelly steps into the shoes of John F. Kennedy Jr., while Sarah Pidgeon portrays the fiercely independent Carolyn Bessette. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable in the trailer, which teases both the electric connection that brought them together and the relentless media attention that threatened to pull them apart. “There’s your world and then there’s mine,” Bessette confides to Kennedy in a moment that captures the heart of their struggle, as highlighted by ABC News.

The series doesn’t shy away from the pressures faced by the couple, especially as their relationship unfolded on a national stage. Kennedy, once dubbed “America’s most eligible bachelor,” was raised in the public eye, and his every move attracted intense scrutiny. Bessette, meanwhile, was no stranger to the spotlight herself. Rising from a sales assistant to an executive at Calvin Klein, she became known for her singular style and poise. According to the official synopsis cited by Pause Rewind, Bessette was “a star in her own right… fiercely independent and with a singular style, she rose from being a sales assistant to an executive at Calvin Klein and became a trusted confidante of its eponymous founder.”

The supporting cast brings even more depth to the story. Naomi Watts portrays the legendary Jackie Kennedy Onassis, whose words of warning to her son in the trailer ring with poignant foresight: “There isn’t enough exposure in the world to prepare a woman to be your wife.” Other notable cast members include Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, Leila George as Kelly Klein, Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette, and Constance Zimmer as Ann Marie Messina.

Created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Hines, Eric Kovtun, Nissa Diederich, Scott Robertson, Monica Levinson, Kim Rosenstock, D.V. DeVincentis, and Tanase Popa, the series also features Max Winkler as the director and executive producer of the pilot episode. The studio behind the project is 20th Television, and the show will be available on FX and Hulu in the United States, with international streaming on Disney+, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

“Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” is not just a retelling of a famous romance—it’s a deep exploration of the challenges that come with living under a microscope. The trailer, released on February 2, 2026, offers glimpses of the couple’s first meeting, romantic surprises, and the infamous Washington Square Park argument that was immortalized by the media. The show promises to portray both the glamour and the claustrophobia of their final years together.

The series also addresses the darker chapters of their lives. The couple’s marriage in 1996 was followed by three tumultuous years before their tragic deaths in a plane crash on July 16, 1999. Carolyn’s sister Lauren Bessette, portrayed by Sydney Lemmon, also perished in the accident. The crash stunned the world and fueled ongoing speculation about the so-called “Kennedy Curse,” a narrative that has haunted the family for generations.

Throughout the series, viewers will witness the influential figures who shaped the Kennedys’ relationship. Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s presence looms large, both as a source of wisdom and as a symbol of the immense expectations placed upon the family. In one particularly resonant scene, Carolyn voices her own doubts: “It’s not a question if I want to spend the rest of my life with you. It’s a question of if I’m cut out to be Mrs. JFK Jr.” This line, featured prominently in the trailer, encapsulates the internal conflict faced by someone thrust into the relentless glare of public life.

The show’s attention to period detail is evident, especially in its depiction of Carolyn Bessette’s work at Calvin Klein in the 1990s. Her style, which has inspired countless admirers, is recreated with care—though not without some controversy. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, early images of the series prompted online backlash regarding the authenticity of Bessette’s look, with her former hair colorist Brad Johns telling Vogue that her hair color “was totally wrong.” Still, the creative team’s commitment to capturing the era’s fashion and atmosphere is clear throughout the series.

“Love Story” arrives at a time when audiences are hungry for nuanced portrayals of real-life figures. The decision to focus on the Kennedys—America’s closest thing to royalty—ensures that the series will be scrutinized as much for its storytelling as for its historical accuracy. By grounding the narrative in Beller’s biography and weaving in direct quotes from the couple’s real-life conversations, the show aims to strike a balance between drama and authenticity.

For viewers who remember the 1990s, the series offers a nostalgic look back at a time when celebrity culture was just beginning to explode, and the pressures on high-profile couples were reaching new heights. For younger audiences, it’s a chance to discover the enduring allure—and the deep human cost—of life in the limelight.

With its premiere set for February 12, 2026, “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” is poised to become one of the year’s most talked-about television events. Whether you’re drawn in by the romance, the tragedy, or the sheer spectacle of it all, this series promises to deliver a compelling, compassionate, and thoroughly modern retelling of a love story that captivated a nation.