JFK Jr. romance heads to TV as 'love story' stars navigate backlash, mythology and pressure

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic romance is getting the prestige TV treatment in Love Story, the new FX limited series that dramatizes one of America’s most scrutinized couples and its leading stars say the responsibility of telling that story has come with intense pressure, public scrutiny and online backlash.

The series, which premiered February 12, follows the whirlwind relationship between JFK Jr. and Bessette-Kennedy leading up to their tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash. The show stars Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette-Kennedy, with Naomi Watts portraying Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

For Kelly, taking on the role of JFK Jr. in his first major screen performance was daunting. He has spoken about the “gravity” of portraying such a beloved public figure, admitting that the responsibility “is not lost on me” as he prepared for the role with extensive research and study of Kennedy’s life.

The project arrives surrounded by high expectations and controversy. Even before its release, early images and casting details sparked backlash online, with critics debating everything from styling choices to how faithfully the show would capture the couple’s legacy.

The scrutiny reflects the enduring mythology surrounding JFK Jr. and Bessette-Kennedy, whose lives and relationship have long been dissected by media and the public.

According to Yahoo Entertainment, the actors and creative team have had to navigate not only that mythology but also intense public reaction and expectations about how the story should be told. The show is based in part on Elizabeth Beller’s book about Bessette-Kennedy’s life and aims to explore both the romance and the relentless spotlight that followed the pair.

The debate around Love Story also reflects a broader question about dramatizing real lives, especially those tied to tragedy and legacy. Members of the Kennedy family previously criticized the project for moving forward without consultation, underscoring the sensitivities surrounding the story.

Still, for Kelly, Pidgeon and the team behind the series, the goal has been to balance historical reverence with human storytelling. As Love Story begins its run, it is already proving to be as much a cultural conversation piece as it is a romance drama one that revisits a legendary relationship while confronting the pressures of portraying it for a modern audience.