Ryan Murphy’s latest television endeavor proves once again that America’s fascination with beautiful, tragic figures never really fades.
“Love Story” chronicles the romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, created by Connor Hines under Murphy’s expansive production umbrella.
The series debuts its first three episodes on FX and Hulu February 12th, delivering exactly what Murphy does best: glamorous people navigating impossibly complex lives.
And yes, it’s every bit as captivating as you’d expect.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Paul Anthony Kelly portrays Kennedy as more than just People magazine’s sexiest man alive. This Kennedy heir carries the weight of political dynasty and family tragedy on his impossibly photogenic shoulders.
His mother, played with aristocratic precision by Naomi Watts channeling Jackie Kennedy, presents her own set of demanding expectations. Meanwhile, John just wants to ride his bicycle around New York City, backwards Yankees cap firmly in place, while figuring out his life’s purpose.
Oh, and there’s that pesky bar exam he’s failed twice. The Daily News headline said it all at the time: “THE HUNK FLUNKS … AGAIN.”
Enter Carolyn Bessette
Sarah Pidgeon plays Carolyn as a Boston University graduate who’s rapidly climbing Calvin Klein’s corporate ladder as a “VIP whisperer.” Boston native Alessandro Nivola takes on the role of Klein himself.
Their first encounter happens at a swanky fundraiser, with Peter Gabriel’s “Blood of Eden” setting the romantic mood. John falls immediately for Carolyn’s natural confidence and self-assurance.
But Carolyn isn’t easily swayed by Kennedy mystique or the fishbowl existence that accompanies dating America’s prince. Plus, there’s that small matter of John currently dating Daryl Hannah.
Her reluctance only intensifies his pursuit. She doesn’t want him for his surname or celebrity status—a refreshing change for someone perpetually in the spotlight.
Murphy’s Nepo Baby Casting Choices
The series makes fascinating casting decisions that amplify its themes about dynasty and legacy. Grace Gummer, Meryl Streep’s daughter, portrays Caroline Kennedy.
Dree Hemingway, daughter of Mariel Hemingway, takes on the role of Daryl Hannah. Leila George, whose parents are Vincent D’Onofrio and Greta Scacchi, plays Kelly Klein.
These choices matter deeply for a story revolving around dynastic families and the outsider attempting to breach their golden circle. It’s also fundamentally about fame’s allure and its double-edged nature.
Let’s be honest: it’s about the magnetic pull of watching beautiful people, especially when beauty collides with tragedy.
Tragedy Looms Large
Anyone tuning into “Love Story” likely knows how this tale ends. The series marches inexorably toward that fateful small plane crash, but focuses on what Kennedy and Bessette constructed and endured beforehand.
Murphy uses both Carolyn’s perspective and Jackie’s oracle-like presence to illustrate that being a Kennedy spouse presents unique challenges. Simultaneously, the show suggests that life as a Kennedy spouse appears impossibly alluring and seductive.
Murphy’s Gilded Vision
The series captures Murphy’s passion for gossipy, gilded material perfectly. Similar to his work on “Capote vs. The Swans,” this production revels in society’s upper echelons and their beautiful problems.
Pidgeon’s Carolyn isn’t quite an underdog—she’s more Cinderella with expensive taste. Kelly’s Kennedy is, predictably, devastatingly handsome.
These performances won’t win major awards, but they convey something essential about the show’s perspective. Rather than criticizing wealth and beauty, Hines and Murphy direct their ire toward those who tormented the rich and gorgeous—paparazzi, tabloids, autograph seekers making simple outings hellish.
Having Your Cake
Here’s where “Love Story” reveals its inherent contradiction. The series fetishizes the Kennedys and Bessettes precisely as much as the media vultures it criticizes.
Murphy’s production represents a master class in having cake and devouring it simultaneously. The show condemns intrusive media coverage while providing audiences the same voyeuristic thrills.
We watch these beautiful people in intimate moments, learning their secrets, observing their struggles—all while the narrative suggests such scrutiny destroyed them.
What Makes It Work
Despite this contradiction—or perhaps because of it—”Love Story” succeeds as compelling television. Murphy understands our collective fascination with American royalty and tragic romance.
The series delivers several key elements:
- Visual splendor: Every frame looks magazine-ready, matching the glamorous world these characters inhabited
- Character depth: Beyond good looks, the show explores pressure, expectation, and desire for normalcy
- Historical context: Real events ground the romantic narrative in authentic 1990s celebrity culture
- Emotional resonance: Knowing the tragic ending adds weight to every joyful moment
Worth Watching?
If you’re drawn to stories about American dynasties, doomed romance, or Murphy’s particular brand of glossy drama, “Love Story” delivers.
The show doesn’t break new ground in storytelling or television craft. What it does offer is polished, engaging drama about recognizable figures during a fascinating cultural moment.
Yes, that cake looks absolutely delicious. And Murphy knows you’re going to take a bite regardless of the calories.
The first three episodes premiere February 12th at 9 p.m. on both FX and Hulu, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly on Thursdays. For those captivated by Kennedy mythology and 1990s glamour, this series offers exactly what you’re craving.