Sophia Soto
In the first installment of Ryan Murphy’s Love Story anthology, Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon bring the relationship of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette to the screen, inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
The FX limited series explores everything from their initial meeting to the plane crash that tragically cut their lives short. During their courtship and marriage, the couple captured the nation’s attention, but with that came a great personal cost as the intense fame and media attention threatened to rip the two of them apart.
“Most people are familiar with the story. I think now that it’s out there, it’s really touched on a whole new generation of people who are just so invested in these two, and to start it off like that [setting up the accident], you kind of know what’s going to happen, but then it just goes straight into the backstory of it all. I think it sets up like, oh, well, why? Then, we get to tell their love story, the ups and downs, and their challenges, their relationship challenges, their familial, friendly challenges,” the actor explained. “In the aftermath and showing that, it really brings home how loved and adored these two individuals are and how much they meant to not only just their friends, family, and other relations, but the world over. They lived in a time, and they were the poster folk of that time, and people felt they really had a relation with them. They were the shining star that people really held dear to their hearts.”
The show also explores how John F. Kennedy Jr. wanted to build something of his own from the ground up with George, a magazine meant to bridge the gap between politics and pop culture.
“He was a creative individual, and I think George magazine was so ahead of its time. I think we could use that now more than ever because he brought to light very serious situations, but also, there was a whimsy about it. There was a relatability. He broke it down for the layman, and I think that that’s very admirable to get more people involved and aware of politics and what’s happening in the world that you probably wouldn’t get from just CNN or some other news [outlet],” he shared. “You need to shed a little humor and light on things, but also really drive home the hard-hitting stories and what’s really going on out there.”
As for what he believes the final scene of John and Carolyn on the beach symbolizes, he concludes, “They’re together. They’re in it. That’s love. They’re back to stardust, and they’re together in it. I thought it was really beautiful to end that way on the beach, just solemn, nice, cozy, warm, and very much in love and just together.”
Watch Awards Radar’s full video interview with the actor below, where we discuss how the project challenged him, introducing a new generation to this story, how he prepared for the role, significant filming moments, and much more.
All episodes of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette are streaming on Hulu.
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