The FX and Hulu miniseries “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” which concluded its run on March 26, has sparked renewed interest in the couple’s life and legacy, and has also drawn scrutiny from family members and fashion experts alike. The series, executive produced by Ryan Murphy, dramatizes the relationship between Kennedy Jr. And Bessette-Kennedy, culminating in the 1999 plane crash that claimed their lives.
Paul Anthony Kelly, a 37-year-old Canadian model-turned-actor, portrayed Kennedy Jr. In the series, a role he landed after auditioning against over 1,000 other actors, according to reports. Kelly, who previously worked as a model for brands including Bonobos and Brooks Brothers, had considered leaving the acting profession before being cast. “I was thinking about perhaps hanging up the old hat,” he told NBC News. “And then when I just decided, like, ‘yeah, whatever,’ that’s kind of when it happened.”
Preparing for the role required intensive operate, including dialect coaching and immersion in archival footage. Kelly said he relied heavily on YouTube videos and Kennedy Jr.’s narration of his father’s book, “Profiles in Courage.” “To play America’s Prince, it has some weight to it,” Kelly added. “When playing a real life individual, you have to take the utmost care and love and honesty into it.”
The series’ depiction of Bessette-Kennedy, although, has faced criticism, particularly regarding the accuracy of her wardrobe. Some viewers and fashion commentators expressed disappointment with early promotional images featuring actress Sarah Pidgeon in outfits that deviated from Bessette-Kennedy’s signature minimalist style. Jack Sehnert, vice president of international design at Steve Madden and creator of the Instagram account @carolynbessette, told NBC News that the production team could have more closely replicated Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic looks. “The details matter here as she used her image to control the narrative,” Sehnert said.
Ryan Murphy responded to the criticism, clarifying that the initial images were for lighting and color tests and did not represent the final costumes. He also addressed concerns raised by John F. Kennedy Jr.’s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, who publicly criticized the series for profiting off his uncle’s life without family consultation. Murphy, in an interview with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, described Schlossberg’s reaction as “an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don’t remember.”
Despite the controversy, the series has generated significant public interest. Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant in New York City’s East Village, where Kennedy Jr. And Bessette-Kennedy had their first date, has experienced a surge in business since the show aired, according to restaurant owner Boshir Khan. “Reservation is more booked up nowadays,” Khan said. “Everyone is coming, they want to take pictures … they are saying, ‘we saw the show about John F. Kennedy Jr.’”
Further fueling interest in Bessette-Kennedy’s style, an auction featuring four pieces from her personal wardrobe is scheduled to take place. The auction, organized by The Fashion Auctioneer Lucy Bishop, includes a camel Prada coat and a black dress by Yohji Yamamoto, both items Bessette-Kennedy was frequently photographed wearing. Bidding for the items will start at $10,000, according to auction organizers.
