‘Love Story’ Team Clarifies Why Daryl Hannah Was Not Involved in JFK Jr. Series From Ryan Murphy
- - ‘Love Story’ Team Clarifies Why Daryl Hannah Was Not Involved in JFK Jr. Series From Ryan Murphy
DeAnna JanesFebruary 12, 2026 at 9:04 PM
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Photo by Stephen Rose on Getty Images
Before Carol, there was Daryl.
Love Story, the latest glossy episodic feat from showrunner Ryan Murphy, is based on the 2024 book Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, by Elizabeth Beller, and explores the courtship and marriage of scion John F. Kennedy Jr. and fashion maven Carolyn Bessette.
However, the first three episodes feature another one of JFK Jr.'s love stories -- the one between him and Emmy-nominated actress Daryl Hannah. Per Gold Derby, the two engaged in an on-and-off “dalliance” that spanned the late '80s to the early '90s.
Portrayed by Dree Hemingway (yes, that Hemingway; Ernest is her great-grandfather; Mariel, her mother), Daryl attempts to save her relationship with JFK Jr., played by Paul Kelly, despite the disapproving calls from the Kennedy family.
In a not-so-surprising move, producer Nina Jacobson told Gold Derby that the crew didn’t reach out to Hannah for input about her experience in the Kennedy orbit. Fans of Murphy’s true-story-inspired projects are probably accustomed to the producer taking some artistic liberties with his fare and doesn’t “solicit the input of the real people that are being depicted.”
She did say, however, that they were "mindful" and "respectful" of the relationship.
“The only time we've really interfaced with the real person was with Monica Lewinsky on Impeachment," said Jacobson, who shares executive-producing responsibilities on Love Story with Brad Simpson (Crazy Rich Asians) and creator/showrunner Connor Hines (Dollface).
Previous projects that saw Jacobson and Murphy team up include American Crime Story and Pose.
JFK Jr. and Caroline Bessette-Kennedy married in September 1996 in a private, intimate ceremony at the First African Baptist Church on Cumberland Island, Georgia. The two died together, when their aircraft piloted by JFK Jr. crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premiered tonight, Feb. 12, on FX. The first three episodes are now streaming on Hulu.
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Related: JFK Jr.’s Complete Dating History: Who Did He Romance Before Carolyn Bessette?
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
