Hulu’s newest drama is tugging at everyone’s heartstrings by revisiting a classic American love story and tragedy. The show explores the relationship of one of the most iconic and high-profile couples of the 20th century—John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, played by Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon. This limited series, produced by Ryan Murphy, is inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book “Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.” While many have regarded their love story as one of the most charming and whirlwind romances, there was also an imperfect side that this show illuminates—as well as a tragic end.
The Early Years
The pilot of “Love Story” opens up with Bessette and Kennedy boarding a small aircraft, piloted by Kennedy, on their way to Martha’s Vineyard for a wedding. It gives us hope that the two can reconcile their differences and let love win. Yet, we know as viewers that they meet a grisly end before they arrive at their destination—an American tragedy.
JFK Jr., born in 1960, was considered both American Royalty and People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. He attended Brown University and NYU to pursue a career in law. However, this series delves into both the good and bad parts of being a Kennedy. For instance, Kennedy originally had a passion for the stage, but pressure from his family and last name took him away from acting and into a more “noble” field—leading him to fail the bar twice before eventually passing.
The pilot episode also gives us a glimpse into his dating life before Carolyn. Kennedy had a reportedly tumultuous relationship with actress Daryl Hannah for many years, and their demise was mostly due to the disapproval of his mother, Jackie Kennedy.
Getting to Know Carolyn
In addition to Kennedy’s past, we also get to see a glimpse into Carolyn Bessette before meeting her future husband, and how her life drastically changed afterwards. Bessette is depicted as carefree, independent and a natural beauty. After growing up in a middle-class family, she started her career as a salesperson at Calvin Klein before working her way up the ranks, eventually becoming director of show production.
She quickly became a Calvin Klein muse and New York’s fashion “it girl,” and it was this that allowed her to meet Kennedy at a VIP fitting. The meet-cute is expectedly adorable and filled with tension, as Kennedy is beguiled by Bessette’s beauty and confidence. Cautious of entering the Kennedy family, she keeps him at bay until eventually giving in to his charm. However, this calm and comforting romance could not stay under the radar once the media got a whiff of their relationship, and eventually their marriage.
In the first episode, it is very clear that Bessette’s private life and independence were important to her. She was not just a pretty face eager to marry into a rich family. “She’s funny. She’s smart. She’s very witty. She’s ambitious. She’s sensitive,” Pidgeon said in an interview about her role. Bessette followed her heart but was also met with extreme backlash and struggles: every fight was picked apart and there was always an enormous amount of pressure to be a Kennedy.
Yes, this show is about a love story, but it is also about the chaos of fame and relationships on the biggest stage. It’s a show about two people who loved each other so much that they were willing to be suffocated by the rest of the world.
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