After creating hit franchises like American Horror Story, American Crime Story, and American Sports Story, prolific producer Ryan Murphy is back with American Love Story—a new anthology series spotlighting famous romances that captivated the world. The first season? A deep dive into the love story of timeless style icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr.

### Who’s Playing Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy?
Sarah Pidgeon (Photo: Getty Images)
You might recognize rising star Sarah Pidgeon from The Wilds on Prime Video or as the younger version of Kathryn Hahn’s character in Tiny Beautiful Things on Hulu. Now, she’s stepping into the role of the effortlessly chic Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. At 28, this is set to be her biggest onscreen role yet, though she’s already made waves—earning a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in Stereophonic and landing a lead role in the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot alongside Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt. With her acting talent, sharp style, and striking resemblance to Carolyn, the casting feels spot-on.

### Who’s Playing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis?
Naomi Watts (Photo: Getty Images)
Veteran actress Naomi Watts will take on the role of Jackie Kennedy, Carolyn’s mother-in-law. Watts is no stranger to Ryan Murphy’s world—she starred in The Watcher on Netflix and earned Golden Globe and Emmy nods for her portrayal of Babe Paley in Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. She’s a perfect fit to play Jackie, joining a long list of stars who’ve portrayed the former First Lady, from Katie Holmes in The Kennedys to Natalie Portman in Jackie.

Before we see Watts in Jackie’s iconic pearls, catch her in another Murphy project—All’s Fair, a high-profile legal drama co-starring Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash, and Teyana Taylor.

### Who Else Is in the Cast?
Paul Kelly (Photo: Instagram / @ofishalpak)
Newcomer Paul Kelly rounds out the central trio as John F. Kennedy Jr. After auditioning over 1,000 actors, Murphy’s team chose Kelly—a fresh face who bears a strong resemblance to JFK Jr.

Additional casting includes:
– Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr.’s sister.
– Sydney Lemmon (Helstrom, Fear the Walking Dead) as Lauren Bessette, Carolyn’s sister, who tragically died in the same plane crash.
– Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, Carolyn’s longtime boss.

### What’s the Story About?
Born in upstate New York and raised in Connecticut, Carolyn Bessette worked as a fashion publicist at Calvin Klein when she met John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1992 (while he was still dating actress Daryl Hannah). They began dating two years later, got engaged in 1995, and married in a secret 1996 ceremony where Carolyn wore a now-iconic slip dress by Narciso Rodriguez—her friend and Calvin Klein colleague—catapulting the designer to fame.

Their glamorous yet tragic love story, cut short by their 1999 plane crash, remains one of the most talked-about romances in modern history. Now, American Love Story will bring their whirlwind relationship back into the spotlight.John and Carolyn’s marriage drew intense media attention, with paparazzi following their every move. Within a few years, rumors swirled that their relationship was struggling and divorce seemed likely. Then, in 1999, tragedy struck when John—piloting a plane carrying Carolyn and her sister Lauren—lost control of the aircraft. The crash off Martha’s Vineyard claimed all three lives. Carolyn was 33, John just 38.

According to Deadline, the first season of American Love Story will explore how the couple’s fairy-tale romance, seen as American royalty, began to unravel under the constant scrutiny of tabloid media. The pressures of fame, careers, and rumored family tensions culminated in their tragic deaths on that foggy summer night off the Massachusetts coast.

In a 2024 Variety interview, producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson—frequent collaborators with Ryan Murphy—called the story deeply relevant today. “Younger women are drawn to Carolyn as an icon of that era,” they noted, adding their hope to capture that essence on screen.

When will American Love Story premiere?
With production yet to begin, the series likely won’t arrive until 2026 or 2027. Stay tuned for casting updates and the first official images.