Love Story Cast & Characters: Who Plays JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette, Jackie O + More
Love Story (FX/Hulu) Cast & Characters Guide
Updated: February 4, 2026
Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is a nine-episode limited series that dramatizes the couple’s whirlwind romance, tabloid glare, and the tragedy that still fascinates pop-culture fans decades later. If you’re here for the big question—who plays JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and Jackie O?—this is the complete cast-and-character breakdown (plus the most-discussed supporting players).
Watch the Official Trailer
Love Story Cast: Quick List (Actor → Character)
| Actor | Plays | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Anthony Kelly | John F. Kennedy Jr. (JFK Jr.) | America’s most-photographed bachelor turned husband, publisher, and icon. |
| Sarah Pidgeon | Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy | Calvin Klein executive-turned global style legend under relentless paparazzi attention. |
| Naomi Watts | Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie O) | JFK Jr.’s mother; the gravitational force behind “American royalty” pressure. |
| Grace Gummer | Caroline Kennedy | JFK Jr.’s sister; the family perspective as the spotlight intensifies. |
| Alessandro Nivola | Calvin Klein | Fashion world power player; Carolyn’s work life collides with fame. |
| Leila George | Kelly Klein | Fashion insider; a voice of warning about the cost of “shiny” celebrity life. |
| Sydney Lemmon | Lauren Bessette | Carolyn’s sister and confidante; also on the final flight in 1999. |
| Constance Zimmer | Ann Marie Messina (Freeman) | Carolyn’s mother; family dynamics away from the headlines. |
| Dree Hemingway | Daryl Hannah | JFK Jr.’s former girlfriend—part of the “before Carolyn” chapter. |
| Omari K. Chancellor | Gordon Henderson | Fashion designer and cultural connective tissue in the show’s style ecosystem. |
| Noah Fearnley | Michael Bergin | A key figure in Carolyn’s pre-Kennedy life. |
| Erich Bergen | Anthony Radziwill | JFK Jr.’s close friend and cousin by marriage; part of the inner circle. |
| Michael Nathanson | Michael Berman | Journalism-world character tied to the era’s media machine. |
Who Plays JFK Jr. in Love Story?
Paul Anthony Kelly plays John F. Kennedy Jr.—the public figure who seems born into a storyline: political legacy, magazine-world ambition, and a private relationship that becomes a national obsession. The series frames JFK Jr. as charismatic and intensely scrutinized, with the press following even the most ordinary moments.
Who Plays Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story?
Sarah Pidgeon plays Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the Calvin Klein executive who becomes a lightning rod for ‘90s celebrity culture. In the show’s world, Carolyn isn’t just “the look”—she’s the person inside the look, trying to keep a real self intact while cameras rewrite her life in real time.
Who Plays Jackie O in Love Story?
Naomi Watts plays Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie O). In most tellings of JFK Jr.’s adulthood, Jackie O’s presence is less “scene partner” and more “weather system”: her fame, her trauma, her instincts about protection, and the unavoidable Kennedy mythology that sets the stakes for anyone dating into the family.
Who Else Is in the Love Story Cast?
The supporting cast leans hard into the two worlds that collide around John and Carolyn: the Kennedys and fashion/media. That’s why characters like Caroline Kennedy (Grace Gummer), Calvin Klein (Alessandro Nivola), Kelly Klein (Leila George), and Lauren Bessette (Sydney Lemmon) aren’t just “extra names”— they’re the pressure points that shape how the relationship is experienced behind closed doors.
Related YouTube: A Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Clip Fans Still Share
Reddit Reactions to the Casting (Early Buzz)
Long before premiere week, the casting sparked debates about whether a show can be romantic, respectful, and historically grounded at the same time—especially with real people whose friends and family are still alive.
Reddit thread: Casting news discussion (r/Fauxmoi)
What Reddit Theories Say About This Love Story (Trailer Breakdown Culture)
Trailer threads are where viewers start “spot-the-moment” mode—comparing outfits, locations, recreated paparazzi shots, and the show’s take on key relationship beats.
Reddit thread: Official trailer reactions (r/JohnAndCarolyn)
Reddit thread: Trailer post (r/JFK)
X (Twitter) Updates: Official Accounts to Follow
Tweets by FXNetworks Tweets by DisneyPlusUKFAQ: Love Story Cast & Characters
Who plays JFK Jr. in Love Story?
Paul Anthony Kelly plays John F. Kennedy Jr.
Who plays Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story?
Sarah Pidgeon plays Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Who plays Jackie O in Love Story?
Naomi Watts plays Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie O).
Who plays Caroline Kennedy?
Grace Gummer plays Caroline Kennedy.
Who plays Calvin Klein?
Alessandro Nivola plays Calvin Klein.
Who plays Lauren Bessette?
Sydney Lemmon plays Lauren Bessette.
Who plays Daryl Hannah?
Dree Hemingway plays Daryl Hannah.
Where to Watch Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
- U.S.: FX and Hulu
- International (varies): Disney+
Related Content to Watch/Read Next
- Book inspiration: Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller
- More Ryan Murphy “Story” universe: American Crime Story, Feud, and other FX anthology-style true-story dramas
- Context viewing: Documentaries and archival specials on JFK Jr., celebrity press in the 1990s, and the George magazine era