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Is Ryan Murphy’s new series about Carolyn Bessette worth watching?
Prolific director and screenwriter Ryan Murphy is about to revive the love story of fashion icon Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. in his new series, Love Story. Should we fall for this glamorous project?
Published on 13 August 2025. Updated on 12 February 2026.
Ryan Murphy’s new series about John F. Kennedy Jr
After the release of Grotesquerie (2024), All’s Fair (2025) and The Beauty (2026), Ryan Murphy is back. The latter is the creative force behind hit series like American Horror Story (since 2011) and American Crime Story (since 2016), which explored the assassination of Italian designer Gianni Versace and the affair between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Today, the prolific American director, producer, and screenwriter dives into one of the most beautiful love stories.
With Love Story, produced by the platform FX and airing on Disney+ on February 13th, 2026, the Indianapolis native carries on exploring the scandals that have shaped America. This time, he tackles one of the most captivating and tragic romances of the 1990s. The first season of the show will follow the life of Carolyn Bessette and her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr..
Carolyn Bessette, a fashion icon with a tragic fate
The young New Yorker was working as a publicist at Calvin Klein when she married John F. Kennedy Jr., son of the 35th President of the United States, who was still married to actress Daryl Hannah at the time. Their romance was closely documented by the tabloids throughout the 1990s. The couple died in a plane crash off the Atlantic Ocean coast in 1999. They were not yet 40 years old…
Much like Lady Diana, the young woman then became a fascinating figure, both for her style and tragic life. Well-known for her minimalist, refined looks, socialite Carolyn Bessette became a fashion icon who championed the quiet luxury aesthetic long before it became a trend. Her style is still inspiring fashion fans on Instagram and Pinterest to this day.
Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly to star in Love Story
It is Sarah Pidgeon who elegantly portrays the young woman who died so tragically. Still largely unknown to the public, the American actress first drew attention for her role in the television series The Wilds (2020–2022). Then, her performance in the play Stereophonic (2024) earned her a Tony Award nomination. She is now starring in the horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
With her large blue eyes and natural chic, she instantly captivates viewers from the opening episode of the show. Next to her, actor Paul Kelly, a newcomer on the small screen, plays the golden boy John F. Kennedy Jr. A clever casting choice, given the uncanny resemblance with the 1990s icon who dated Madonna and was crowned “Sexiest Man Alive.”
Naomi Watts’s breathtaking performance
But what is this series about doomed love really worth? The show’s strength lies in the way it immerses us with precision in the glamorous, wealthy New York of the 1990s. The sets are flawless and the soundtrack addictive. It featured Björk, the Stone Roses, Stereo MC’s, Portishead, Low, Jeff Buckley, Mazzy Star and Sade. The actors’ performances also deserve praise, especially Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr.’s dying mother.
The fashion world in which the elegant and independent Carolyn Bessette moved is also vividly recreated. And the name-dropping – Kate Moss, Brad Pitt, Marky Mark – works perfectly. However, the looks worn by the two actors are not quite as striking as those of their real-life counterparts. Sarah Pidgeon’s outfits lack the quality and grace of the original fashion icon’s style.
Besides, it is difficult to truly unravel the mystery and enter the characters’ psyche. They remain somewhat superficial, even if their aura continues to fascinate us. Despite these shortcomings, the magic works. The show is worth watching, especially for those unfamiliar with this chapter of American history and the Kennedy curse.
Love Story, created by Ryan Murphy and Connor Hines, coming out Disney+ on February 13th, 2026.
