Kennedy Family Heir Condemns Ryan Murphy's Controversial Series on JFK Jr.
Jack Schlossberg, the nephew of John F. Kennedy Jr., has launched a scathing attack on Ryan Murphy's new television series, Love Story, which dramatizes the romance between his late uncle and Carolyn Bessette. In a recent interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Schlossberg labeled the show as "grotesque" and accused Murphy of profiting from a fictionalized account of their lives.
Schlossberg's Fiery Critique and Call to Action
The 33-year-old Kennedy heir, who is currently running for Congress in New York's 12th district, did not hold back in his criticism. "If you want to know someone who's never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy," he stated. Schlossberg urged viewers to watch the series with a capital "F for fiction" in mind, emphasizing that Murphy lacks firsthand knowledge of the Kennedy family.
He further slammed the showrunner, saying, "The guy knows nothing about what he's talking about, and he's making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else's life." In a pointed call to action, Schlossberg suggested that Murphy should donate some of the profits from the series to causes championed by JFK Jr. and to efforts preserving President John F. Kennedy's legacy.
Background of the Series and Family Exclusion
Love Story, a nine-episode FX adaptation streaming on Disney Plus, is based on Elizabeth Beller's 2024 book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The show stars Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette, portraying their high-profile relationship in the 1990s before their tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash off Martha's Vineyard.
Schlossberg confirmed that the Kennedy family was not consulted during the production, a fact echoed by executive producer Nina Jacobson, who cited a desire to maintain "multiplicities of view." Last summer, Schlossberg reiterated his displeasure on Instagram, writing, "For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with, the new shows being made about him, the answer is no."
Responses from Producers and Cast Members
In response to the backlash, executive producer Brad Simpson told Hollywood Reporter that the team approached the story with sincerity and love, aiming to celebrate the lives of Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr. Sarah Pidgeon, who plays Carolyn, acknowledged Schlossberg's right to express his feelings but hoped the "integrity and respect" of their portrayal would be evident to viewers.
Murphy previously responded to Schlossberg's criticisms in a podcast, noting, "I thought it was an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don't remember," which prompted Schlossberg to list personal memories of his uncle in rebuttal.
History of Controversy Surrounding Murphy's Productions
This is not the first time Ryan Murphy's work has faced criticism from those connected to the real-life stories. His Netflix series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, was heavily criticized by families of Dahmer's victims. Murphy defended that project by emphasizing its focus on systemic issues like racism and homophobia, rather than glorifying the killer.
As Love Story continues to release episodes weekly on Disney Plus, the debate over ethical storytelling and family consent in biographical dramas remains heated. Metro has reached out to Ryan Murphy for further comment on the ongoing controversy.
