Ryan Murphy's JFK Jr. 'Love Story' Miniseries Sparks Backlash from Kennedy Family

The new anthology series has drawn criticism from JFK Jr.'s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, over its portrayal of the tragic romance.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Ryan Murphy's new anthology series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' has received critical acclaim, but it has also sparked unexpected backlash from the Kennedy family. JFK Jr.'s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, has criticized the show, claiming the creators did not consult the family and are profiting off his uncle's life in a "grotesque way." The show's cast and crew have attempted to address Schlossberg's concerns, but Murphy himself has taken a more combative stance, leading to comparisons to his previous controversial series based on real-life serial killers.

Why it matters

The Kennedy family has long been a subject of fascination for the media, and this latest TV series is just the latest example. However, the backlash from Schlossberg highlights the sensitivity around portraying the lives of public figures, especially those who have faced tragedy. The show's creators claim they have tried to be ethical and sincere in their approach, but the criticism from the Kennedy family suggests they may have missed the mark.

The details

The new FX anthology series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' has received strong reviews, with a solid 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The series, produced by Ryan Murphy, stars Paul Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette. However, JFK Jr.'s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, has criticized the show, claiming the creators did not consult the family and are profiting off his uncle's life in a "grotesque way." The show's cast and crew have attempted to address Schlossberg's concerns, with actor Jack Kelly and producer Brad Simpson acknowledging the sensitivity around portraying real people. But Ryan Murphy has taken a more combative stance, defending the show's approach.

  • The first three episodes of 'Love Story' are available to stream on Hulu, with new episodes premiering on Thursdays.

The players

Ryan Murphy

The creator and producer of the 'Love Story' anthology series, as well as other controversial TV shows like the 'Monster' anthology series about serial killers.

Jack Schlossberg

The nephew of John F. Kennedy Jr., who has criticized the 'Love Story' series for profiting off his uncle's life without the family's involvement.

Sarah Pidgeon

The actress who portrays Carolyn Bessette in the 'Love Story' series.

Paul Anthony Kelly

The actor who portrays John F. Kennedy Jr. in the 'Love Story' series.

Brad Simpson

A producer on the 'Love Story' series, who has acknowledged the sensitivity around portraying real people.

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What they’re saying

“For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with, the new shows being made about him, the answer is no...I hope those making these shows about him take seriously what he stood for in his life, all that he achieved in it. And that they donate some of the profits [that] they're making.”

— Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.'s nephew (Collider)

“I don't know what it's like to have a TV show or a movie or a book written about my family, and I understand his sensitivities, and I fully support him speaking his mind.”

— Jack Kelly, Actor portraying JFK Jr. (Collider)

“I'm not going to pretend like on some level we're not making an entertainment product out of it, but we've tried to be ethical, and we've tried to be incredibly sincere.”

— Brad Simpson, Producer (Collider)

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between the entertainment industry's desire to dramatize the lives of public figures and the sensitivity of the real-life families involved. While the 'Love Story' creators claim to have approached the project with care, the backlash from the Kennedy family suggests they may have missed the mark in balancing artistic license with respect for the subject matter.