Ryan Murphy's latest television project, the limited series titled 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette', has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the most-watched limited series in the history of the FX network on the Disney+ and Hulu streaming platforms. The show, which premiered its initial three episodes on 12 February 2026, has rapidly garnered immense popularity, accumulating over 25 million hours of viewership for just its first five episodes alone.
Record-Breaking Viewership and Weekly Growth
The series, which chronicles the romantic relationship and tragic deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, has seen a consistent increase in viewership with each weekly episode release. This upward trend highlights the show's strong audience engagement and the compelling nature of its storytelling, despite the sensitive subject matter.
Cast and Critical Reception
The cast features Paul Anthony Kelly in the role of John F. Kennedy Jr., Sarah Pidgeon portraying Carolyn Bessette, and Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Watts' performance, in particular, has sparked divided opinions among critics and viewers, adding to the series' controversial yet captivating appeal.
Controversy and Criticism
However, the series has not been without its detractors. Jack Schlossberg, the nephew of John F. Kennedy Jr., has publicly criticized Ryan Murphy, accusing him of 'profiting off of it in a grotesque way'. Additionally, there has been general pushback regarding the casting choices and concerns that the show may glamorise the tragic events surrounding the couple's deaths.
Despite these criticisms, the record-breaking viewership numbers indicate a strong public interest in the dramatisation of this high-profile historical romance, solidifying Ryan Murphy's reputation for creating impactful and widely discussed content in the streaming era.
