According to an interesting article via TV Line, FX revealed the first look at the lead characters in its upcoming American Love Story, a new anthology by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, Glee). The series is set to premiere during the week of Valentine’s Day 2026 and dramatizes the famed and ill-fated romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

On Friday, Murphy revealed the series began filming this week in New York City via his Instagram profile. “We started shooting this week in New York City and can’t wait until you see the romantic and tragic love story between America’s prince, JFK Jr., and fashion icon Carolyn Bessette — out Valentine’s Day week of 2026,” Murphy said in a caption. “I am thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr.”

 

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The season stars Paul Kelly (Troppo, The Clearing) as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon (The Wilds, Tiny Beautiful Things) as Carolyn Bessette. Murphy posted camera test footage and photos of the actors in costume, offering fans a first glimpse at the transformation.

“Over a thousand actors auditioned for each of these roles, and we absolutely found the perfect choices,” Murphy added on Instagram.

The ensemble cast includes Alessandro Nivola (The Many Saints of Newark, American Hustle) as Calvin Klein and Leila George (Animal Kingdom, Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?) as Kelly Klein. Sydney Lemmon (Fear the Walking Dead, Succession) plays Lauren Bessette, while Noah Fearnley portrays Michael Bergin.

In a casting move generating buzz, Naomi Watts (The Impossible, King Kong) is reportedly set to play Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Grace Gummer (Mr. Robot, The Newsroom) has been cast as Caroline Kennedy.

This high-profile drama follows the couple’s whirlwind relationship from glamour to heartbreak. JFK Jr., the son of the late President John F. Kennedy, married Bessette in 1996. Just three years later, both died in a tragic plane crash along with her sister Lauren.

“What started out as a beautiful union for the young couple, widely regarded as American royalty, began to fray under the stress of the relentless microscope and navel gaze of tabloid media,” says the official logline via TV Line. The synopsis continues reading, “The pressures of their careers and rumored family discord ended with their tragic deaths when his private plane crashed into the ocean on a hazy summer night off the coast of Massachusetts.”

Originally announced in August 2021, American Love Story marks a thematic shift for Murphy, trading horror for heartbreak while maintaining his signature blend of glamour and grit, reads TVLine.