The spotlight has always been bright on John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, even decades after their tragic passing. Now, with the premiere of FX’s new limited series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, the actors stepping into their iconic shoes are speaking candidly about the intense responsibility that comes with portraying real-life figures who remain deeply beloved by the public. Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, the relative newcomers cast in the lead roles, have opened up about navigating the pressure, the early online backlash, and their mission to honor the couple’s legacy with honesty and depth.
The nine-episode series, which debuted on February 12, 2026, on FX and is available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+, marks the first installment in Ryan Murphy‘s Love Story anthology. Inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the show charts the whirlwind romance, the intense media scrutiny, and the heartbreaking end of a couple whose private life became a national obsession .
For the cast, this has been more than just another acting gig; it has been a journey into the lives of two people whose story still resonates powerfully today.
Sarah Pidgeon on Facing Backlash and Carrying the ‘Weight’ of Carolyn Bessette’s Legacy
For Sarah Pidgeon, who takes on the role of the stylish and private Calvin Klein publicist Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the journey began with a wave of intense public scrutiny. When the first test shots of her and Kelly in character were released by Ryan Murphy in June 2025, even before production began, they were met with immediate criticism online. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 29-year-old actress, known for her Tony-nominated work in Stereophonic, explained how that early backlash shaped her understanding of the task at hand .
Pidgeon revealed that the criticism didn’t change her approach to the character, but it did reinforce the gravity of the project.
“It reinforced and reminded me of just how beloved these people are, and people are protective of their story… It reminded me of the weight of this responsibility and wanting to do these people justice.”
She shared that the experience served as a powerful reminder of the public’s deep connection to Carolyn. Pidgeon emphasized her commitment to portraying Carolyn with authenticity, relying on the extensive research materials available. “Luckily, there were a lot of books and interviews done by people who knew them quite well, lots of photos,” she told PEOPLE. “So there were jumping off points that were incredibly helpful. That [research] just went on and on throughout our shooting” .
In a separate interview with Marie Claire, Pidgeon elaborated on the emotional connection she developed with her character. She spoke about the freedom she found in learning about Carolyn, while always being mindful of the real person behind the public image. “She’s become so incredibly important to me, and I revere her and everything that I’ve learned about her and her legacy,” Pidgeon said. “I understand people also have that affinity and care and investment in her, and I think that’s true of anyone who plays a real person. I certainly felt the responsibility of playing Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and I carried that every day” .
Paul Anthony Kelly on the ‘Gravity’ of Becoming JFK Jr.
For Paul Anthony Kelly, stepping into the role of John F. Kennedy Jr. marks his first major screen performance—a fact that makes the pressure even more pronounced. As the son of a president and a man famously dubbed “America’s most eligible bachelor,” JFK Jr. remains a figure of enduring fascination. Kelly has spoken openly about the daunting task of capturing the essence of someone so documented and so mythologized .
In an interview with Interview Magazine in December 2025, Kelly detailed his rigorous preparation for the role. He described immersing himself completely in the world of JFK Jr., treating himself like a “sponge” to absorb every detail about the man he was to portray. His preparation included reading multiple biographies, such as Rosemarie Terenzio’s book, and scouring video archives .
“I watched everything I could. YouTube is great,” Kelly told the magazine. “I also listened to Jr. read his father’s book Profiles in Courage every day before work to get into his cadence and vocal style. He was a very well-documented individual. There’s just so much to take in” .
According to reports from The Express Tribune, Kelly has acknowledged the “gravity” of his role and admitted that the responsibility of portraying such a beloved public figure “is not lost on me” . His performance aims to show not just the charming public figure, but also the man dealing with family legacy, professional pressures, and a private love affair conducted under an unrelenting public gaze .
A Story Rooted in Truth and Extensive Research
Both actors have emphasized that their goal was to bring as much truth as possible to their portrayals. The series, created by Connor Hines, benefits from a wealth of source material, including Beller’s biography of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, which provides a deeper look into her life before and during her marriage to JFK Jr. .
Pidgeon noted that prior to being cast, she was familiar with the iconic images of Carolyn but learned so much more through the research process. “I was very familiar with many photos of her, but I learned so much more,” she told PEOPLE, highlighting how the work went beyond just mimicking a look to understanding the woman’s inner life .
The cast also features a stellar lineup of actors portraying the key figures in the couple’s orbit, including Naomi Watts as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein. Watts, who has worked with Murphy multiple times before, admitted to Entertainment Tonight at the show’s premiere that playing Jackie was “daunting” but credited Murphy’s confidence in her for helping her overcome the fear and self-doubt .
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The Story Continues to Resonate
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premiered with its first three episodes on February 12, 2026. Viewers in the United States can watch it on FX and stream it on Hulu. For audiences in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other regions, the series is available on Disney+ . The remaining episodes will air weekly, leading up to the finale on March 26, 2026 .
As the series begins its run, it’s clear that for Pidgeon and Kelly, this project was about more than just a period drama. It was about approaching a cherished and tragic story with the respect and integrity it deserves. As Pidgeon aptly put it, playing a real person comes with a sense of responsibility to approach it “with as much truth and integrity as one can” . For viewers, that commitment to truth offers a new, deeply human look at a couple whose love story became a part of American history.
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