New Series Revisits the Tragic Romance of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette
A new television series is delving deep into one of America's most iconic and tragic love stories. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, the first installment in producer Ryan Murphy's anthology series, premiered on February 12 with three episodes, simulcast on FX and Disney+. The remaining episodes will air weekly, offering viewers an intimate look at a relationship that captivated the nation before ending in tragedy.
The Story Behind the Headlines
Most people know the basic facts. In 1992, John F. Kennedy Jr., the charismatic son of President John F. Kennedy, met Carolyn Bessette, a publicist for Calvin Klein. Their on-again, off-again courtship culminated in a private wedding in 1996. However, their marriage was marked by turbulence, and in July 1999, their lives ended tragically in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, along with Bessette's sister, Lauren.
But this new nine-part series aims to move beyond the bullet points, exploring the nuanced details of their complex relationship. "What happened beyond the headlines?" the series asks, promising a deeper examination of the couple's private struggles and public personas.
Cast and Creative Challenges
The series stars Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette and Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. Supporting roles include Naomi Watts as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy. Portraying such well-known figures has not been without its pressures.
Last summer, when initial test photos of Pidgeon in character were released online, the reaction was swift and critical. Fans pointed out discrepancies in her hair color and criticized her wardrobe as looking like "fast-fashion." The backlash was so intense that Murphy's production team replaced the costume designer.
"It wasn't surprising to me that people had strong opinions," Pidgeon, known for her role in the Prime Video series The Wilds, told Vanity Fair. "These people are very beloved. There's a lot of familiarity with them. Through this process, she's become very important to me."
Kelly, a former model from Port McNicoll, Ontario, adopted a positive perspective on the criticism. "It shows that people are excited for it, which reignites my excitement for it—getting to go to work and breathe life into these characters," he said. "I think people are going to be really happy with what we've done, what we've created here."
Exploring a Private Life
The series is inspired by Elizabeth Beller's 2024 biography, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. This source material highlights one of the show's central themes: the contrast between public perception and private reality.
Despite being one of the most photographed women of her time, Bessette was intensely private. She never gave an official interview, and as Vanity Fair notes, there are less than 18 seconds of her speaking voice available to the public. While Kennedy was born into fame and often embraced it, Bessette came from a middle-class background and struggled with the relentless media spotlight.
A poignant line from the series encapsulates this tension. Bessette tells Kennedy, "There's your world. And then there's mine. It's not a question of 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 exploration of identity, love, and the burdens of fame promises to make Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette a compelling addition to the television landscape, revisiting a romance that continues to fascinate decades later.
