dailyloe.com – The new FX series Love Story fictionalizes the relationship between John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. This nine-episode miniseries features significant Shakespearean elements. It draws parallels between the Kennedys and Shakespeare’s historical narratives.
Viewers might recall Taylor Swift’s song or the 1970 film adaptation of Erich Segal’s novel. The series showcases the public’s fascination with the Kennedy family, often referred to as America’s unofficial royal family. This fascination is likened to Shakespeare’s chronicling of the Plantagenets.
Sam Shaw, the executive producer of the upcoming Netflix miniseries Kennedy, describes the Kennedy story as “the closest we have to American mythology.” Connor Hines, creator of Love Story, presents John F. Kennedy, Jr. as living in the shadow of his father.
John struggles with the expectations placed upon him, reminiscent of Prince Hal in Henry IV, Part One. Paul Anthony Kelly portrays him as a naive and reckless character, akin to Shakespeare’s Richard II. John’s venture, George magazine, faced challenges due to his reluctance to leverage his celebrity.
In a poignant moment, John’s business partner calls him “a f***ing tragedy.” The series emphasizes the public’s interest in the Kennedys as both a source of intrigue and a source of conflict for its central couple. Carolyn expresses concern about the toll this attention takes on her and her family.
She tells her sister Lauren, “John’s never lost his anonymity. He never had any.” This reflects the complexities of their relationship amid public scrutiny. The show highlights the duality of fame and personal loss, drawing on Shakespearean themes.
