Behind the Scenes of 'Love Story': The Actors' Journey into America's Royal Couple
The highly anticipated series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' has arrived with significant fanfare, prompting audiences to question how accurately the lead actors capture the essence of the real-life figures. Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly, portraying Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr. respectively, have openly discussed their extensive preparation for these iconic roles, stepping into the lives of a couple who dominated 1990s media as America's unofficial royalty.
The Research Process: Books, Photos, and Public Records
Both actors embarked on months of intensive research to understand their characters' personalities and relationship dynamics. Paul Anthony Kelly, a Canadian actor, admitted to having only superficial knowledge of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette before being cast. "I had to catch up by examining everything available—interviews, documentaries, and extensive archival material," Kelly explained. Similarly, Sarah Pidgeon immersed herself in biographies and visual archives to comprehend Carolyn's world and persona.
Despite their thorough approach, neither actor nor the production team contacted the Kennedy or Bessette families for insights. Both confirmed this decision, relying instead on publicly available records and accounts from acquaintances of the couple. "Luckily, there were numerous books and interviews conducted by people who knew them well, along with abundant photographs. These provided incredibly helpful starting points," Pidgeon noted.
First Impressions and Character Connection
For Kelly, this project marks his major Hollywood debut. He told PEOPLE that while he "knew a little bit about" the couple, their story wasn't part of his regular cultural exposure in Canada. "Throughout this process, I genuinely got to know them quite well—within reasonable limits, of course," he reflected, emphasizing the continuous learning curve.
Pidgeon described an immediate connection to Carolyn Bessette upon reading the initial script. "Even from my basic understanding during the first audition, she appeared as a fully three-dimensional person—intelligent, warm, charismatic, and sensitive," she recalled. This initial impression deepened as her research progressed, and she praised the scripts for accurately capturing Carolyn's essence.
Family Criticism and Public Backlash
The show's approach has not been universally welcomed. The Kennedy family, in particular, has expressed dissatisfaction with being excluded from the production process. Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.'s nephew and a political candidate, publicly criticized the creators for neither consulting nor informing the family about the series. He labeled the show "grotesque" and accused it of exploiting his uncle's legacy for profit.
When promotional images were released in June, Schlossberg—son of Caroline Kennedy—posted an Instagram video stating, "For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted or involved in the new shows about him, the answer is no. There's really not much we can do." He urged the producers to consider JFK Jr.'s values and suggested donating some profits, adding, "I think admiration for my Uncle John is great. What I don't think is great is profiting off of it in a grotesque way."
Series Overview and Cast Details
Inspired by Elizabeth Beller's book 'Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy', the series explores the intense chemistry, whirlwind romance, and highly publicized marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette—one of the most discussed couples of the twentieth century.
The ensemble cast features:
- Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy Onassis
- Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy
- Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein
- Leila George as Kelly Klein
- Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette
- Constance Zimmer as Ann Marie Messina
The first three episodes of 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' are currently available on Hulu, with new episodes premiering every Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern on FX and Hulu.
