Netflix Announces Sweeping Kennedy Family Drama Series

The eight-episode historical drama will explore the personal lives and political rise of the iconic American dynasty.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:13am

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Netflix is developing a new eight-episode series titled 'Kennedy' that will chronicle the early years of the influential Kennedy family, beginning in the 1930s. The show will follow patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr. and his wife Rose as they guide their nine children through a period of social and political ascent, capturing the attention of the American public. Starring Michael Fassbender as Joe Kennedy Sr. and Laura Donnelly as Rose Kennedy, the series will offer an intimate perspective on the famed dynasty, exploring their inner dynamics, relationships, rivalries, and personal struggles.

Why it matters

The Kennedy family's story is deeply woven into the fabric of American history and culture, making this new Netflix series a highly anticipated project. By delving into the family's early years, the show promises to provide a more nuanced understanding of the forces that shaped both the Kennedys themselves and their broader impact on the nation.

The details

Created by showrunner and executive producer Sam Shaw, 'Kennedy' draws inspiration from Fredrik Logevall's biography 'JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917–1956.' Filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg is also an executive producer and will direct the first and last episodes, with screenwriter Eric Roth among the list of EPs. The series will explore the Kennedy family's rise to prominence within Boston's social and political circles, as well as their presence on the international stage when Joe Sr. serves as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.

  • The series is set in the 1930s, well before JFK's time in the White House.
  • Production on 'Kennedy' is currently underway in London.

The players

Michael Fassbender

An acclaimed actor who will portray the family patriarch, Joe Kennedy Sr.

Laura Donnelly

An Irish actress who will play the role of Rose Kennedy, the Kennedy family matriarch.

Sam Shaw

The showrunner and executive producer of 'Kennedy.'

Thomas Vinterberg

The Danish filmmaker who is an executive producer and will direct the first and last episodes of the series.

Eric Roth

The acclaimed screenwriter who is among the executive producers of 'Kennedy.'

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Sam Shaw, Showrunner and Executive Producer

What’s next

As production on 'Kennedy' continues in London, more details about the series' cast, plot, and release timeline are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The takeaway

Netflix's 'Kennedy' promises to offer a fresh, intimate perspective on one of America's most iconic families, delving into the personal lives and political ascent that cemented the Kennedys' enduring legacy.