Ryan Murphy has long been known for his extensive work on several well-known television shows and limited series, and even sometimes garnering controversy for the creative decisions that go into some of his work. Recent projects such as American Crime Story and American Sports Story, have generated significant buzz because of the way they present fictional accounts of real-life scandals and crimes. Now, Murphy’s latest series, which is also based on a true story, has set a premiere date on FX and Hulu, with this somewhat divisive show kicking off FX on Hulu’s 2026 television catalog. Titled Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is set to premiere on February 12, just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend. The series will have a three-episode premiere on FX, also premiering on the Hulu streaming service, with one episode airing weekly after that until the finale on March 26. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette will consist of nine episodes, telling the story of the romance between the two titular characters and how it played out, based on historical events. Murphy’s show will be based on the real-life relationship between the prolific couple, more than likely leading up to the tragic aviation accident that took both their lives in 1999. With a focus on Kennedy’s upbringing and Bessette’s fashion career, that ends with her as an executive at Calvin Klein. Paul Anthony Kelly will play Kennedy, with Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette. The two had married in 1996 before their tragic passing three years later, so the series will more than likely chronicle key events in the early 90s leading up to that fateful day. Interestingly, this will be the first in yet another anthology series produced by Murphy, with more Love Story anthology format series set to come should this first one prove to be successful.
‘Love Story’ is the Beginning of FX and Hulu’s Stacked 2026 Television Slate

‘Love Story’ Promo image courtesy of FXFX

The official logline for the series says that it will “explore the undeniable chemistry, whirlwind courtship and high-profile marriage of one of the most iconic couples of the 20th century.” The cast also features Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, Leila George as Kelly Klein, Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette and Constance Zimmer as Ann Marie Messina. The all-star ensemble will be one of the biggest selling points of the upcoming Love Story series, and will make it even more interesting to see how the show will handle historical accuracy and what creative liberties or speculation, if any, it might take with the portrayal of the real-life people.

FX and Hulu have an exciting slate of series going into 2026, with new projects like The Testaments (the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale), the new Mindy Kaling comedy Not Suitable for Work, and a new season of The Bear. With Love Story the network is starting off with a holiday-appropriate release that will draw viewers in with its real-life tragic romance. However, whether the Ryan Murphy-produced series shows sensitivity to the real-life families this tragedy impacted remains to be seen.

Cast

Sarah Pidgeon

Carolyn Bessette