Isabella Soares is an experienced writer and entertainment journalist, with Rotten Tomatoes-approved reviews. She works for Collider since May 2021.
If you've missed The Crown ever since it came to an end or are looking for your next romantic obsession after Bridgerton Season 4, FX's latest series needs to be on your watch list. Love Story: John F.
Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is based on the iconic real-life pair that made the headlines with their whirlwind courtship in the '90s. Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly star as the main couple, leaning into a more grounded portrayal of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The series follows the couple when they first meet, with Carolyn working for Calvin Klein and John trying to find his footing in the publishing world with George magazine. They go from having a quiet relationship to then becoming one of the most talked-about couples in the tabloids of the time. Although there was initial reluctance about the series' portrayal of them , Love Story proves itself with nuanced storytelling, successful casting, and accurate '90s attire. If you haven't started watching the series, here are a few reasons to give it a try. 1 'Love Story' Delivers on Old-School Romance and Yearning Love Story is set in the '90s, and in many ways, it captures the essence of onscreen romance from that time. If you enjoy films like Pretty Woman and Before Sunrise, you'll find that the FX series channels that old-school yearning that has been hard to recreate in recent years. From Carolyn getting introduced to John by Calvin Klein at a luxurious charity event to them trying to keep their relationship a secret, kissing on street corners, and communicating through gestures and eye contact, it's nothing short of sweet to see them grow closer without a digital component to their relationship. They met in an era where dating apps weren't a commonality, and given the Kennedys' social status, there was an initial reluctance on Carolyn's part to be thrust into the spotlight. The beginning of her relationship with John is low profile, with them finding ways to connect without raising unwanted media attention. Although the series will eventually see the couple past the honeymoon phase, the first few episodes that have been released win audiences over because of their swoon-worthy appeal. There is a reason why Carolyn and John's first date location in the series has become a dining hot spot in real life ever since Love Story came out. 2 'Love Story' Nails JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's Style Once the first look images for Love Story came out, there was immediate backlash over the wardrobe choices for JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The pair were known for their immaculate fashion sense, with Carolyn working as a publicist for Calvin Klein when she met John, and him coming from a family that equates to American royalty. Carolyn's black turtlenecks and white button-down shirts were effortlessly chic, and the same goes for John's backward hats and blue-collar style. They were trendsetters without even noticing it, and since the series' release, more people have tried to emulate their looks. Costume designer Rudy Mance was brought onto the series after the initial feedback regarding the main characters' outfits and was able to rectify the production's wardrobe choices. Mance shared that he found a collector in Canada who had vintage pieces that were either identical to what John and Carolyn wore or were staple pieces from the decade the series is set in. The looks we've seen in the show so far do seem accurate to those the pair wore in several images taken during their courtship and married life. 3 The Series' Soundtrack Is Filled With Iconic '90s Needle Drops If there is one thing that Love Story has reminded us all of is that so many timeless hits came out of the '90s. The series sets the tone for Carolyn and John's journey together with tunes by The Cranberries, Sade, and even Duran Duran. When John gets the elevator down from the Calvin Klein headquarters, waving Carolyn goodbye, the scene is elevated by Lenny Kravitz's"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over." The same happens when they slow dance at an empty restaurant to Sade's"No Ordinary Love", which eventually becomes one of the pair's go-to songs in the series. The music goes hand in hand with the ups and downs of the couple's relationship, marking the romantic instances between them as well as the emotional toll of having their lives become a target of tabloid fodder. The effect that a song like Kate Bush's"This Woman's Work" has when played during Carolyn and John's meet-cute differs from the impact a song like"Linger" from The Cranberries has when Carolyn sees her name appear on a headline for the first time. Each needle drop in Love Story allows for an immersive viewer experience, capturing the '90s ambiance while still adding a layer of intensity to every scene. 4 Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon Are Perfectly Cast Several films and TV shows cast the same actors over and over again, because they are either on the rise or already have an established following . Yet, Love Story did what few others have, which is to cast two fresh faces as the leads. Sarah Pidgeon might've starred in The Wilds and played a supporting role in the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel, but she hasn't had her big break until now. As for Paul Anthony Kelly, he beat the 1,000 actors that auditioned to play JFK Jr., without having any onscreen acting experience. Ever since the series premiered, both actors have been praised for their portrayals of the real-life couple, with Kelly being called a revelation. Fans are begging for him to play the next Batman, and the actor has since admitted that playing the DC hero would be a dream come true. Pidgeon and Kelly have great chemistry in Love Story, and it is noticeable how much work they've put into their depictions of Carolyn and John, emulating the real-life figures while also leaving room for their own takes on the characters within the series' retelling of events. 5 'Love Story' Doesn't Glamorize the Couple's Tragic Fate When Love Story was announced, the response it received was primarily negative, given that this production would be backed by Ryan Murphy. Murphy has made several TV shows that tend to glamorize tragedy or have driven people to question the ethics of the true crime genre. That is not the case here. Despite Carolyn and John's tragic fate, the series does move away from the fatal plane crash that took their lives and focuses more on a reimagining of who this couple was while they were still with us. It inspects the tabloid culture of the time through a critical lens and gives these people an opportunity to be seen beyond the headlines. Subscribe for deeper Love Story coverage and insights Want more context on Love Story? Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper coverage of its wardrobe choices, soundtrack needle drops, casting decisions, and how the series reframes tabloid culture—clear, sourced pop-culture analysis tied to the show. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. In Episode 1, we see a copy of a newspaper being distributed with the headline"The Hunk Flunks... Again" plastered on the cover, seemingly poking fun at JFK Jr. for not passing the bar exam for the second time. Once Carolyn begins to appear in the tabloids, she is picked apart in egregious ways. Footage of their fight in Central Park was circulated in the media, with everyone giving their own opinions on what the couple's relationship might've been like based on a single instance. Although paparazzi has become less prominent in recent years with the rise of social media and celebrities taking ownership of their own stories, public opinion online has grown significantly. Having a show like Love Story coming out in 2026 remains relevant because we are still spreading rumors or commenting on celebrities' personal lives as if we knew them. 6 'Love Story' Humanizes the Highly Publicized Couple It's Based On In addition to providing a more critical look at the way the media portrayed Carolyn and John's relationship, Love Story also humanizes the highly publicized couple. From showing the early stages of their relationship outside the headlines to inspecting their interactions behind closed doors, the series allows for the characters based on real people to be more grounded and realistic. It's interesting to see what Carolyn's life might've been like while she worked for Calvin Klein, or how John found a way to cope with being raised under the spotlight after his father's death. These two people fell for each other in spite of their having opposite realities. They fell for each other before their relationship became a public affair. The series also shows how their connection was impacted by the constant media attention, with cameras capturing their every move and them not getting the liberty to have a casual outing without being noticed. For a series that does focus on a pair that is so well-known, it tries as much as possible to be respectful of Carolyn and John, as well as the Kennedy family. It's a tasteful, romantic, and winning depiction of the '90s IT couple. Like Follow Followed Love Story Drama 8 10 Release Date February 12, 2026 Network FX, Hulu Directors Max Winkler, Anthony Hemingway, Crystle Roberson Dorsey, Gillian Robespierre, Jesse Peretz Writers Connor Hines, D.V. DeVincentis, Juli Weiner, Kim Rosenstock Cast Main Genre Drama Seasons 1 Producers Brad Simpson, D.V. DeVincentis, Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson Executive Producer Brad Simpson, Connor Hines, Nina Jacobson, Ryan Murphy, D.V. DeVincentis, Eric Kovtun, Kim Rosenstock, Max Winkler, Monica Levinson, Nissa Diederich, Scott Robertson, Tanase Popa Powered by Expand Collapse
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