Love Story: JFK Jr & Carolyn Bessette – Style, Romance & the 90s Obsession
On a recent Sunday in New York City, the cultural footprint of Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette was palpable. Fans queued for tables at Panna II, the Indian restaurant prominently featured in the series as the site of the couple’s first date, while a JFK Jr. Lookalike contest unfolded in Washington Square Park. The show’s influence extended to fashion, with young women adopting the sleek, minimalist style of Carolyn Bessette and brands capitalizing on the “Bessette halo effect,” as described by Puck. The series, which premiered on , has clearly resonated beyond simple entertainment.
The FX limited series, now streaming on Hulu and Disney+, has amassed viewing hours, becoming FX’s most-watched limited series to date. But its impact extends beyond viewership numbers. It’s sparked a renewed fascination with the couple’s style, their relationship, and the era they inhabited. The series is inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and aims to explore the “undeniable chemistry, whirlwind courtship, and high-profile marriage” of JFK Jr. And Bessette, according to Disney Plus.
The show’s success lies, in part, in its ability to humanize a couple often viewed through the lens of American royalty. John F. Kennedy Jr. Was, as the series portrays, a figure burdened by legacy, while Carolyn Bessette was a fiercely independent woman who rose through the ranks of the fashion world, becoming a confidante of Calvin Klein. The series depicts their initial meeting at a gala, where Bessette playfully deflects JFK Jr.’s advances, refusing to immediately offer her phone number. “You know where I work,” she quips, a line that encapsulates her cool confidence.
The dynamic between the two, as portrayed by Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly, is central to the show’s appeal. Pidgeon’s performance is already generating Emmy buzz, with many predicting a win. Kelly, a former model, captures the physical presence of JFK Jr., though some have noted he lacks the same magnetic charm. The series balances moments of lighthearted romance – JFK Jr. Showering Bessette with red roses, moonlit walks – with the underlying knowledge that their story will end tragically, a fact established in the opening scenes with the depiction of the plane crash that claimed their lives in .
The series’ creator, Connor Hines, previously known for his work on Netflix’s Space Force, emphasized his desire to portray the couple as relatable individuals. “I’m not interested in a show about famous people,” he stated, “I want it to just feel like you’re watching a boy and a girl figuring their shit out.” This approach, focusing on the everyday struggles and joys of their relationship, is a key element of the show’s success.
Attention to detail, particularly in recreating the world of 1990s New York, has been a hallmark of the production. While the interiors of Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s residence were meticulously reconstructed from existing images, the designers had more freedom with JFK Jr.’s Tribeca apartment, resulting in a space that embodies 90s minimalism with glass bricks and granite countertops. The show’s style advisory board even sourced original Prada and Yohji Yamamoto pieces, and artfully distressed an Hermès Birkin bag to match the one Bessette frequently carried.
However, the series hasn’t been without its critics. Jack Schlossberg, a Kennedy family member, dismissed the show as “fiction,” and actress Daryl Hannah publicly condemned her portrayal in the series as “tragedy-exploiting” and “textbook misogyny” in a New York Times op-ed. These criticisms highlight the sensitivity surrounding the portrayal of real-life figures and the potential for fictionalization to overshadow historical accuracy.
Despite the controversy, Love Story taps into a broader cultural nostalgia for the 1990s. The decade, while imperfect, represents a time before the constant connectivity and anxieties of the modern world. The series doesn’t simply recreate the 90s; it elevates them, presenting a glamorous and idealized version of JFK Jr. And Bessette’s romance. It’s a reminder of a time when celebrity culture felt different, and when a couple’s private life could still hold a sense of mystery and allure. The show’s success is a testament to the enduring power of American myths and the public’s fascination with a couple who, even decades after their deaths, continue to captivate the imagination.
The series arrives amidst a wave of reboots and remakes of 90s properties, including I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream, and The Crow, with The X-Files and Clueless also slated for revival. This trend suggests a collective desire to revisit a decade that, for many, represents a simpler and more optimistic time. Love Story doesn’t just offer a nostalgic escape; it offers a beautifully rendered, if somewhat embellished, version of a love story that continues to resonate with audiences today.