FX's anthology series 'Love Story' debuts with a focus on the tragic romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, featuring newcomers Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon in the lead roles. Created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, the show draws from Elizabeth Beller's biography and premieres on February 12, 2026.
The inaugural season of FX's 'Love Story' charts the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, culminating in their tragic end on July 16, 1999. The series opens with a tense scene at a Manhattan nail salon where paparazzi swarm Bessette, followed by her arrival at an airstrip to meet Kennedy and her sister Lauren before boarding a small plane for Martha's Vineyard.
Flashback to the summer of 1992 introduces Carolyn as a stylish sales associate at Calvin Klein, where her talents lead to a role on the executive team as a publicist. Meanwhile, John, after failing the bar exam again, clings to his job as an assistant district attorney and his on-again, off-again relationship with actress Daryl Hannah. Their paths cross at a Calvin Klein event in New York City, sparking an immediate connection.
Over nine episodes set against a 1990s backdrop with a soundtrack featuring Peter Gabriel and Sade, the couple navigates fame, family expectations, and media scrutiny. Carolyn, portrayed as self-assured and captivating, contrasts with John's struggle to escape his mother's shadow and the public eye. The narrative highlights tensions from relentless press attention and the Kennedy legacy, drawing parallels to experiences of Princess Diana and Meghan Markle.
Casting the leads was crucial, with producers auditioning over a thousand actors for Kennedy, seeking a specific machismo reminiscent of George Clooney and Tom Selleck. Creator Connor Hines noted that Sarah Pidgeon emerged quickly for Bessette, possessing inherent qualities of the enigmatic figure. Paul Anthony Kelly impressed during a chemistry read, where Pidgeon congratulated him on the spot.
Pidgeon described the honor of portraying Bessette, while the series examines themes of commitment, chemistry, and the chaos of fame. The first three episodes stream on Hulu and FX on February 12 at 9 p.m. ET, with weekly releases on Thursdays thereafter.