TV's Enduring Fascination with the Kennedy Dynasty as America's Royal Family
As Ryan Murphy brings the tragic romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette to Disney+, and Netflix develops an American answer to The Crown focusing on the Kennedy generations, the entertainment industry's obsession with this political dynasty continues unabated. The family's blend of public service, private tragedy, and photogenic allure creates a potent formula for television drama.
The Murphy Treatment: Glamour and Tragedy
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette represents Murphy's latest foray into American cultural touchstones, following his explorations of the O.J. Simpson trial and Bill Clinton's impeachment. The series chronicles the romance between JFK's son—once crowned People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive"—and the fashion PR executive whose minimalist style defined 1990s aesthetics.
The show grapples with the immense expectations placed on JFK Jr. as heir to his father's political legacy and culminates in the 1999 plane crash that killed the couple along with Bessette's sister Lauren. This tragedy reinforced perceptions of a "Kennedy curse" haunting the family across generations.
Netflix's American Crown
Meanwhile, Netflix is developing its own Kennedy saga conceived as a U.S. counterpart to The Crown, with different seasons covering successive generations. Michael Fassbender will portray patriarch Joseph Kennedy Sr., the self-made millionaire who became U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom during World War II's early stages.
The first season will explore the early lives of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's nine children, including their "rebellious second son" John, who would ultimately fulfill his father's ambitions by reaching the White House in 1961.
American Mythology on Screen
Executive producer Sam Shaw captured the family's televisual appeal perfectly when he described the Kennedy story as "the closest we have to American mythology—somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful." This blend of Greek tragedy and soap opera elements creates irresistible narrative material.
The Kennedys were arguably the first political family to master television as a medium for storytelling and image-crafting. When John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960, television ownership among Americans had skyrocketed from 20% to 80% since Dwight D. Eisenhower's election eight years earlier.
Fashion Controversies and Family Objections
Love Story has generated particular attention for its fashion elements, with Bessette's minimalist Calvin Klein-inspired wardrobe epitomizing the "quiet luxury" trend. However, early costume choices sparked controversy among Bessette devotees, leading Murphy to bring in new costume designer Rudy Mance to source authentic 1990s pieces.
The series hasn't received Kennedy family endorsement either. JFK Jr.'s nephew Jack Schlossberg publicly stated that the family wasn't consulted about the production and disapproved of "profiting off of it in a grotesque way." Murphy responded that Schlossberg's objections were "an odd choice" given he was only six when his uncle died.
Historical Precedents and Ethical Questions
This isn't the first time Kennedy television projects have sparked controversy. In 2009, the History Channel's planned miniseries The Kennedys faced intense criticism before production even began, with concerns about conservative executive producer Joel Surnow's involvement and historical accuracy. The network eventually dropped the series, which found a home on the lesser-known Reelz Channel.
These productions raise ethical questions about making entertainment from real-life tragedies and subjecting historical figures to renewed scrutiny. As Shaw noted, the Kennedy story represents "American mythology"—but one with living descendants and complex political legacies.
The Kennedy Legacy in Contemporary Context
The family's ongoing relevance is complicated by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose controversial positions as a vaccine skeptic and Trump's health secretary have divided public opinion. Some critics argue that uncritical Kennedy adulation has helped propel divisive figures into positions of power.
Yet in an era of polarized politics and diminished glamour in public life, television audiences continue to be drawn to the Kennedy narrative of idealistic leadership, personal tragedy, and enduring style. As Murphy's series and Netflix's planned production demonstrate, America's answer to royalty remains irresistible television material, blending Shakespearean drama with all-American aspiration.
