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Manhattan Today
By the People, for the People
Critics Weigh In on Ryan Murphy's New JFK Jr. Drama "Love Story"
The nine-episode series dramatizing the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy has drawn largely positive reviews, though some critics question whether the intimate story can escape the gaze it critiques.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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The first installment of Ryan Murphy's planned Love Story anthology has arrived on FX and Hulu, dramatizing the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Based on Elizabeth Beller's biography Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the series has drawn largely glowing reviews, with critics praising its structure, emotional clarity, and the central performances. However, some have raised concerns about whether the series can avoid participating in the very spectacle of celebrity it seeks to critique.
Why it matters
The Kennedys remain a uniquely American obsession, and the story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's relationship and tragic end has long captivated the public. This new dramatization provides a fresh look at their romance, exploring themes of fame, marriage, and misogyny that continue to resonate today.
The details
The series opens in July 1999, with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Sarah Pidgeon) shrinking inward as paparazzi swarm her Manhattan nail salon. It then moves toward the fatal flight to Martha's Vineyard, before rewinding to 1992 when Carolyn worked at Calvin Klein and JFK Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly) was struggling to define himself beyond his famous name. The series examines the couple's chemistry and incompatibility, as well as the public's obsession with their relationship.
- The series opens in July 1999, just before the fatal plane crash.
- The story then rewinds to 1992 when Carolyn and JFK Jr. first met.
The players
Ryan Murphy
The creator and showrunner of the Love Story anthology series.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
The wife of JFK Jr. and the central figure of the series, portrayed by actress Sarah Pidgeon.
JFK Jr.
The son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, portrayed by actor Paul Anthony Kelly.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
The mother of JFK Jr., portrayed by actress Naomi Watts.
What they’re saying
“An enchanting and heartbreaking show”
— Aramide Tinubu, Critic (Variety)
“A solid, if not resounding, success”
— Angie Han, Critic (The Hollywood Reporter)
“Punishingly boring”
— Lucy Mangan, Critic (The Guardian)
The takeaway
Ryan Murphy's Love Story anthology series provides a fresh and emotional look at the relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, exploring themes of fame, marriage, and misogyny that continue to resonate today. While the series has drawn largely positive reviews, some critics question whether it can fully escape the very spectacle of celebrity it seeks to critique.
