Ryan Murphy’s shocking Kennedy-Bessette series
After serial killers, political dramas and sports legends, Ryan Murphy tackles the most tragic love story of the ’90s. Get ready to rediscover the Kennedy couple… in a whole new light.
Cult couple to open “American Love Story
It was a daring move. To inaugurate his new American Love Story franchise, Ryan Murphy has chosen the fascinating and heartbreaking story of John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy . Their dazzling destiny – between New York elegance, media pressure and a tragic end in a plane crash in 1999 – makes them a perfect subject for Murphy’s dramatic aestheticism.
Planned as an anthology dedicated to true romances that have left their mark on America, this new series promises to be as glamorous as it is funereal, in the vein of the great contemporary tragedies.
An unexpected (and closely watched) cast
On the casting front, Naomi Watts will play the mythical Jackie Kennedy, in a promising return after her acclaimed role in Feud: The Betrayals of Truman Capote. But it’s two as yet little-known names who will play the leading roles: Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Kelly as John-John.
Sarah, who has just been nominated for a Tony Award, starred in Stereophonic on Broadway, as well as in The Wilds and Tiny Beautiful Things. As for Paul Kelly, he’s a virtual unknown: his Instagram account barely exceeds 1,300 subscribers, proof that Murphy likes to bet on faces untouched by overexposure for highly iconic roles.
A series that will take its time
No broadcast date yet. Production has not yet begun, and several roles have yet to be cast. So we’ll have to wait until 2026 or even 2027 to discover this Murphyesque retelling of a media fairy tale turned modern tragedy.
Why we need to keep an eye on this project
With American Love Story, Ryan Murphy transforms American myths into spectacular fiction. Between family tensions, public pressure and media obsession, this new chapter promises to be as intense as it is haunting.
While you’re waiting for the series, we highly recommend reading the talented Stéphanie des Horts’ book Carolyn et John, published by Albin Michel.
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