Getty/Ryan Murphy Productions
Almost three decades after their death, the romance and lives of John F. Kennedy Jr and wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy continue to fascinate and captivate the world.
So it comes as no surprise that the tragic tale has caught the eye of Ryan Murphy.
Following his success with the American Crime Story and Feud franchises, the esteemed TV writer, producer and director is working on something new.
He is currently shooting American Love Story which will be based on the lives of the 90’s most famous “It Couple”.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the upcoming series, American Love Story.
Is American Love Story a true story?
American Love Story will be a scripted anthology drama series that focuses on “sweeping true love stories that captured the world’s attention”.
The first season will be based on the lives of JFK Jr and his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
After meeting JFK Jr in 1992 through her employment as a publicist with Calvin Klein, Carolyn married him four years later.
Wearing a sleek, sophisticated slip wedding dress by Narciso Rodriguez, Carolyn became one of the most influential brides of all time and an instant style icon.
But thrust into the limelight and photographed everywhere she went, life turned out to be no fairytale.
In 1996, the couple were papped in the middle of a fight at Washington Square Park – the shocking images making the front page of the National Enquirer.
And when her life was tragically cut short in 1999, she and JFK Jr were attending marriage counselling and living apart.
For source material, Ryan is relying heavily on the 2024 book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller.
Who will play Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in American Love Story?
American actress Sarah Pidgeon has been cast to play the lead role of Carolyn.
Sarah, 28, was most recently in Prime Video’s The Wilds.
She also played the younger version of Kathryn Hahn’s character in Hulu’s Tiny Beautiful Things and is set to star in the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot alongside returning original favorites Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Furthermore, Sarah was nominated for a Tony Award in 2024 for her Broadway debut in the David Adjmi play Stereophonic.
While the actress does bear a resemblance to her character, first looks images of her wearing a loose camel coat, black turtleneck, Birkin bag and platinum-blonde hairdo failed to hit the mark compared to Carolyn’s impeccable real-life style and tailoring.
“Please work on Carolyn’s wardrobe and styling – this isn’t it,” commented one social media user.
Another added, “This is not a Birkin 40, this is a Birkin 35 … and she would have never [chosen] it.”
Who will play JFK Jr in American Love Story?
Paul Kelly is playing John F. Kennedy Jr in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming series.
The American actor, 27, is a relative newcomer to Hollywood, with some experience in theatre and modelling.
His selection came after Ryan held over a thousand auditions for both of the lead roles.
While the selection of the actress bringing Carolyn to life has caused some controversy, viewers seem happy with the casting of Paul.
In a first look of the actor in costume, Paul was praised for having an “uncanny resemblance” to JFK Jr.
Who will play Jackie Kennedy in American Love Story?
Having already brought to life Princess Diana and New York swan, Babe Paley, Naomi Watts is taking up the challenge of bringing another icon to life.
The Aussie actress, 56, will play Jackie Kennedy after already working with Ryan on his Feud: Capote vs. The Swans series and the upcoming All’s Fair.
Naomi previously worked with her on-screen daughter-in-law Sarah on 2024 drama The Friend.
Whether Naomi’s feud castmate, Calista Flockhart, who starred as Jackie’s younger sister Lee Radziwill in that series, will be back to reprise her role remains to be seen.
Where can I watch American Love Story?
American Love Story is currently filming and is expected to hit screens in early 2026.
It will “premiere Valentine’s Day week” Ryan confirmed in a post on Instagram.
The series will be available to stream in Australia on Disney Plus.
In the meantime, you are able to watch other shows by Ryan – including Glee, American Crime Story and Feud – on the streamer.
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