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Why we fell in love with Love Story: JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette

Ryan Murphy’s series about the Kennedy heir and style icon has risen above nostalgia-bait to become a ratings blockbuster

Why we fell in love with Love Story: JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette

TL;DR

  • Ryan Murphy's series "Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette" is a ratings success, drawing 40m viewing hours and becoming FX's most-watched limited series.
  • The show has sparked a cultural trend, with fans embracing the couple's fashion and swagger, leading to increased social media activity and brand marketing around Carolyn Bessette's style.
  • Creator Connor Hines aimed to ground the series by focusing on the couple's personal struggles rather than their famous status, creating a relatable narrative.
  • The series has received criticism from Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg and Daryl Hannah for its fictionalized and potentially exploitative depiction of their lives.
  • The show's costume design underwent significant changes after initial fan criticism, with a focus on authentic 90s designer pieces.
  • "Love Story" taps into a desire for a simpler, more glamorous past, offering a glamorous escape from modern-day anxieties and the constant stream of negative news.