Netflix has given viewers their first real look at its upcoming historical drama about one of America’s most famous families. The streaming service released a behind-the-scenes photo showing Michael Fassbender as Joe Kennedy Sr. , the powerful patriarch of the Kennedy dynasty. Along with this first look, the company also announced 13 more actors who will appear in the show, making the cast even larger and more impressive.
The photo shows Fassbender wearing a classic black tuxedo with a white rose on his lapel. He is standing in front of video monitors on the set in London, where the show is currently being filmed. The 48-year-old Oscar-nominated actor looks ready to play the father of one of the most talked-about political families in American history.
The Growing Cast of ‘Kennedy’
The main cast members were already known to fans. Laura Donnelly will play Rose Kennedy, the family matriarch. Nick Robinson takes the role of Joe Kennedy Jr. , the eldest son who was expected to lead the family before his death in World War II. Joshuah Melnick will play John F. Kennedy, called Jack in the family, who would later become president. Lydia Peckham is set to play Rosemary Kennedy, and Saura Lightfoot-Leon will play Kick Kennedy.
The newly announced cast members bring even more depth to the show’s world. These actors will play both family members and important historical figures who were part of the Kennedy story:
- Georgina Bitmead joins as Eunice Kennedy, the fifth child of Joe and Rose.
- Miley Locke will play the younger version of Kick Kennedy.
- Tipper Seifert-Cleveland takes on the role of younger Rosemary Kennedy.
- Wyatt Russell, son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, will play famous aviator Charles Lindbergh.
- Eddie Marsan will portray J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI.
- Toby Huss joins as Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States.
- Patrick Fischler as influential journalist Arthur Krock.
- Caitlin FitzGerald as writer and socialite Clare Boothe Luce.
- Hera Hilmar as Inga Arvad, a Danish journalist who had a close connection to Jack Kennedy in the early 1940s.
- Denis O’Hare plays Raymond Furness, a State Department official.
- Albert Welling takes on the role of Winston Churchill.
- Louis Landau joins as Billy Cavendish, a member of the British aristocracy.
- Robin Soans will play Neville Chamberlain.
What the Show Is About
The series is based on the book JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 by Fredrik Logevall. The show will start in the 1930s, long before John F. Kennedy became president. The first season will follow Joe Kennedy Sr. as he builds his fortune and political connections while raising his nine children with Rose.
According to the official description, the show “reveals the intimate lives, loves, rivalries, and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history.” The story focuses on the family’s rise and how the children, especially Jack, tried to find their own paths while living in the shadow of their older brother Joe Jr.
Sam Shaw, who created Castle Rock, is the showrunner and executive producer. Thomas Vinterberg, the Danish director known for Another Round and The Hunt, is directing the first and last episodes of the eight-episode first season.
The Talented Team Behind the Camera
The creative team working on Kennedy is just as impressive as the cast. Eric Roth, who wrote Forrest Gump, is one of the executive producers. Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Kaitlin Dahill from Chernin Entertainment are also producing, along with author Fredrik Logevall himself.
Shaw shared his thoughts about the project in a statement, explaining why this story matters today.
“The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology — somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful. But Fredrik Logevall’s stunning, nuanced biography pulls a veil on the human strivings and burdens behind the myth, revealing as much about our present moment, how we got here, and where we’re going, as about the Kennedys themselves. I’m thrilled to be able to explore this saga of a family and a world in transition with Eric Roth, Thomas Vinterberg, and our incredible band of artists and partners, at a moment when our past feels urgently present.”
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Filming and Release Information
Production is currently taking place in London, where the cast and crew are working on bringing this historical drama to life. The first season will have eight episodes, though Netflix has not yet announced a release date.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries around the world, the series will stream exclusively on Netflix once it is completed. Given that filming is still happening, the show is expected to arrive sometime in 2027.
The series will cover important historical moments from the late 1930s and 1940s, including Joe Kennedy Sr.’s time as ambassador to the United Kingdom and the events leading up to World War II. With historical figures like Churchill, Roosevelt, and Lindbergh appearing in the show, the series aims to place the Kennedy family story within the larger context of world events during that time.
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