FX's 'Love Story' Creator Defends Not Consulting Kennedy Family

Connor Hines says keeping distance from the subject matter allows for more objectivity in portraying the marriage of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Connor Hines, the showrunner of FX's 'Love Story' anthology series about the marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, is defending the decision not to consult the Kennedy family before making the show. Hines says that as a writer, it's 'more healthy and effective' to have some distance from the subject matter in order to be more objective in the approach. He also notes the large size of the Kennedy family, making it difficult to know where to even begin consulting them.

Why it matters

The decision not to consult the Kennedy family has drawn criticism, with JFK Jr.'s nephew Jack Schlossberg accusing the production of 'profiting off' his uncle's life in a 'grotesque way.' This is not the first time a Ryan Murphy production has faced backlash from the estate of its subject, as the Versace family publicly disowned 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' in 2018.

The details

Hines and Murphy paused development on 'Love Story' for three years to better understand the central subject, Carolyn Bessette, whose private life remained fiercely protected. The producers opted to wait until the publication of Elizabeth Beller's 2024 biography 'Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy' to serve as the credited inspiration for the series.

  • The 'Love Story' series was shot in New York last summer.
  • Ryan Murphy told Variety in June 2025 that he plans to donate part of the series' proceeds to the John F. Kennedy Library.

The players

Connor Hines

The showrunner of FX's 'Love Story' anthology series about the marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

Jack Schlossberg

The nephew of JFK Jr. who accused the 'Love Story' production of 'profiting off' his uncle's life in a 'grotesque way.'

Ryan Murphy

The producer of 'Love Story' and other Ryan Murphy productions that have faced backlash from the estates of their subjects, such as 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.'

Maureen Orth

The author of the book 'Vulgar Favors,' which served as the creative foundation for 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.'

Elizabeth Beller

The author of the 2024 biography 'Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy,' which served as the credited inspiration for 'Love Story.'

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What they’re saying

“As a writer, it's more healthy and effective to have some distance from the subject matter. Not so it can give you permission to slander them by any means, but I think it allows you to be a lot more objective in how you approach the material, versus when you're talking to people personally, you feel a sense of responsibility of relaying exactly what they're telling you because they've given you their time.”

— Connor Hines, Showrunner, 'Love Story' (Variety)

“I am going to donate. I also like Jack's Instagram when he just lip syncs to '90s girl groups stuff. I want more of that. But I think it would be really hard if your relatives are always in the media.”

— Ryan Murphy (Variety)

“Because I was a producer, I didn't think I should get a pass. It was trying to flush those things out: 'I might say something more like this or I probably wouldn't have said that because of X, Y and Z. Or I think Bill might have said something this way.' And I felt very heard. But there were a lot of notes that they didn't take, and I had to learn to respect that process too.”

— Monica Lewinsky, Producer, 'American Crime Story: Impeachment' (Variety)

“This is a woman that was rendered by a lot of these narratives in a way that felt really unfair and devoid of context, devoid of empathy.”

— Connor Hines, Showrunner, 'Love Story' (Variety)

“She really protected her privacy — and understandably so. I think there's a lot to be said for protecting your privacy. Some things aren't for everyone. They're for yourself.”

— Sarah Pidgeon, Actress, 'Love Story' (Variety)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.