Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premieres in less than two weeks on Hulu and FX, and let’s just say this might be the biggest surprise hit of the year. A recreation of the tragic love story of one of history’s most iconic couples—JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette—was always going to be picked apart (more on that below), but based on the newly released trailer, it looks primed to be Ryan Murphy Productions’ biggest, most talked-about hit since 2016’s American Crime Story: The People v. OJ.
From the chemistry between the two leads (Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon) to intimate, dramatic moments that the public never saw, get ready to become obsessed. Also, whoever decided to use Japanese Breakfast’s cover of Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels” for the trailer deserves a raise. Watch below.
Fascinating, right? February 12 can’t come soon enough. In the meantime, read on for everything we know, including how to watch and when new episodes will be released.
Who were JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette?
There’s a literal library’s worth of info on these two, but let’s keep it brief here. “John John” was the sole surviving son of President John F. Kennedy, the little boy seen saluting his father’s coffin during the 1963 funeral procession. After passing the bar (not on his first try, mind you), it was assumed he would go into law or politics, but instead, he started a glossy political magazine called George…and dated a bunch of celebrities like Daryl Hannah and Madonna. He tried acting once. He was very hot and athletic.
Carolyn Bessette worked for Calvin Klein when she crossed paths with JFK Jr. in New York. The pair had a passionate but tumultuous relationship, and were even captured by the tabloids yelling at each other in public. She became a style icon but was hounded by the press throughout their relationship, adding to the strain. They married in 1996.
In July 1999 John was piloting a small plane with Carolyn and her sister Lauren as passengers to a family wedding when it crashed near Martha’s Vineyard, killing all three. If you’re interested in learning more about this time period and group of people, I highly recommend Carole Radziwill’s memoir What Remains—though I warn you, it’s very sad.
What will Love Story focus on?
The limited series will explore the undeniable chemistry, whirlwind courtship and high-profile marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly) and Carolyn Bessette (Sarah Pidgeon). It is the first installment in Ryan Murphy’s Love Story anthology and is inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Per FX, here’s the official synopsis: “It was a love story that captured the attention of the nation: John F. Kennedy Jr. was the closest thing to American royalty. The country watched him grow from a boy to a beloved bachelor and media sensation. 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. John and Carolyn’s connection was immediate, electric and undeniable. As their love story unfolded on a national stage, the intense fame and media attention that came along with it threatened to rip them apart. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette charts the complex and heartbreaking journey of a couple whose private love became a national obsession.”
When does Love Story come out?
FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premieres with three episodes on February 12 at 9:00p ET/6:00p PT on the FX linear channel, streaming on Hulu at 9:00p ET and on Disney+ internationally. Following premiere week, one new episode of the nine-episode series will air each subsequent Thursday on FX at 9:00p ET/PT and on Hulu at 9:00p PT.
Who’s in the cast?
Unlike in other American Story productions, Murphy and company seem to be going with models, theater actors, and other screen newcomers for many of the starring roles. Paul Anthony Kelly will take on the role of the late president’s son, while Sarah Pidgeon, fresh off the Tony-winning play Stereophonic, will star opposite him. The show recently announced that they’d cast Noah Fearnley as Calvin Klein model Michael Bergin. Bergin and Bessette dated, and he has claimed that their relationship continued during her marriage, so this role might indicate that the show will include a love triangle.
There will, of course, be a few familiar faces from the Murphy-verse. Naomi Watts will tackle the role of Jackie Kennedy, while Alessandro Nivola (father of Sim Nivola, who played the youngest Ratfliff sibling on season three of The White Lotus) will play Calvin Klein. Constance Zimmer will play Carolyn Bessette's mother, Ann Messina Freeman.
Meanwhile, Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep’s daughter) plays Caroline Kennedy; Leila George (Vincent D’Onofrio’s daughter) is Kelly Klein, Calvin’s wife; and Sydney Lemmon (Jack Lemmon’s granddaughter) stars as Lauren Bessette. Listen, in a story of the Kennedys, a lil’ nepotism is kind of a requirement (Max Winkler, son of Henry, will direct the pilot).
Who created Love Story?
Connor Hines created the series under Ryan Murphy’s production banner. He also executive produces—along with the iconic Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Eric Kovtun, Nissa Diederich, Scott Robertson, Monica Levinson, Kim Rosenstock, D.V. DeVincentis and Tanase Popa. Max Winkler executive produced and directed the pilot episode. It is produced by 20th Television.
Why did the show draw controversy last summer?
On June 17, 2025, Pidgeon hit the streets of New York City (the couple lived downtown) in costume as Bessette, carrying a cup of iconic street coffee. Over on JustJared, you can see more pictures from the scene, including some cool moments of set decoration: magazines and newspapers “mocked up” to resemble real headlines from the era about Kennedy.
Originally, there was some criticism directed at Sarah Pidgeon’s wardrobe (Bessette was a minimalist fashion icon) and hair and makeup (is that wig just a touch too blonde?), but her look in trailer is spot-on.
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Everyone please chill.
What has the Kennedy family said about the series?
Last year, Jack Schlossberg (JFK Jr.’s nephew), certified stinker, commented on one of Murphy’s posts, “HEY RYAN — admiration for John is great but maybe consider DONATING PROFITS TO THE KENNEDY LIBRARY thanks.”
If this were any other true-life-slash-true-crime story, we might be inclined to agree, but at this point, the Kennedy family has made so much money from the American public, and the American public has made so much media about the Kennedy family, it might be too little, too late to do any of this the “right” way, you know? And given that the book that the series is based on—which aimed to show a different, often underreported side of Bessette—Love Story might actually make viewers have more compassion for what the young couple went through, and humanize the entire family.
This post will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Glamour US.
