Ryan Murphy’s newest television event has America talking, and for good reason. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is FX’s stunning new biographical limited series that brings one of America’s most iconic — and heartbreaking — romances back into the spotlight. If you’ve been searching for love story fx where to watch, you’ve come to the right place. This guide breaks down every streaming option, what critics are saying, and why this is the most buzzed-about series of 2026 so far.
Whether you’re a longtime Kennedy history buff or simply drawn to a sweeping, emotional drama, here is everything you need to know before you press play.
👉 Start watching Love Story on Hulu today — your first 30 days are free for new subscribers.
What Is Love Story on FX All About?
Love Story is FX’s first installment in Ryan Murphy’s biographical romance anthology series. It focuses on the turbulent courtship and marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, two of the most glamorous and scrutinized figures in 1990s American culture.
JFK Jr. was the son of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. He grew up under the relentless glare of the public eye and became what many called the closest thing America had to a real-life prince. Carolyn Bessette, meanwhile, was a sharp, stylish executive at Calvin Klein who captured Kennedy’s heart in a whirlwind romance that played out on the covers of tabloids nationwide. The series explores how their private relationship buckled under the crushing weight of fame, public expectation, and family pressure — all leading to the couple’s tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard.
The show is inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and is produced by 20th Television.
An All-Star Cast That’s Already Getting Attention
The series stars Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Kelly is a relative newcomer, but critics and audiences alike have praised his striking physical resemblance to JFK Jr. and his emotionally grounded performance. Pidgeon has become the breakout star of the series, delivering a portrayal that is being described as layered, vulnerable, and riveting.
Oscar-winning actress Naomi Watts plays Jackie Kennedy-Onassis, bringing enormous weight and elegance to one of American history’s most iconic figures. Grace Gummer joins the cast as Caroline Kennedy, Alessandro Nivola plays Calvin Klein, Sydney Lemmon portrays Lauren Bessette, and Omari K. Chancellor appears in a recurring role as Gordon Henderson. The ensemble is considered one of the strongest Ryan Murphy has assembled in years.
Where to Watch Love Story on FX Right Now
This is where most viewers want to start — and fortunately, there are multiple easy ways to stream Love Story in 2026.
The series airs on FX every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. Episodes drop simultaneously on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers the same night. The three-episode premiere released on February 12, 2026, and new episodes follow weekly every Thursday.
Here’s a full breakdown of your streaming options:
Hulu is the easiest and most affordable way to watch. New subscribers get a 30-day free trial. After the trial, plans start at $9.99 per month for the ad-supported tier and $18.99 per month for the ad-free premium option. Episodes drop on Hulu at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET every Thursday.
Disney+ with Hulu Bundle gives you access to Love Story along with the full Disney+ library. The bundle is currently priced at $12.99 per month, and a first-month promotional rate of $9.99 is available for new customers.
DirecTV Stream includes FX in its channel lineup and is currently offering a five-day free trial. This is a great option for viewers who want a live TV experience alongside on-demand access to the show.
Fubo also carries FX and is running a five-day free trial for new subscribers. Plans start at $45.99 for the first month.
Hulu + Live TV includes both live FX programming and on-demand Hulu streaming in one package, priced at $89.99 per month after the free trial. For those who want Disney+ and ESPN folded in, this is the all-in-one option.
Sling TV includes FX in its Blue Plan, starting at $50.99 per month. The Orange & Blue combined plan is currently offered at half price for the first month.
For cord-cutters who don’t want cable, any of these services allow you to stream Love Story in real time or on demand without a traditional TV subscription.
👉 Don’t miss another episode — sign up for Hulu today and catch up on all the drama before Thursday.
Episode Release Schedule
Love Story is a nine-episode limited series. Rather than releasing all episodes at once, FX and Hulu opted for a hybrid approach — dropping the first three episodes together before shifting to a weekly schedule.
Episodes 1 through 3 premiered on February 12. Episode 4 aired February 19. Episode 5 arrives February 26. Episode 6 follows on March 5, Episode 7 on March 12, and the season finale is expected to air on March 26 at 9 p.m. ET.
What Critics Are Saying
The series has earned an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 critical reviews, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10. Critics have consistently praised Sarah Pidgeon’s performance as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy as the emotional core of the show. Several reviewers have drawn comparisons to The Crown, noting how both series examine what relentless public scrutiny does to people trapped inside the gilded cage of fame and legacy.
On Metacritic, the series holds a score of 65 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. Audience response on IMDb has been enthusiastic, with many viewers praising the costume design, cinematography, and the chemistry between the two leads.
Some critics have noted that the show’s tight focus on the romantic relationship leaves less room for the broader Kennedy political saga, which may disappoint viewers looking for a deeper historical portrait. Others feel the pacing occasionally lags in the middle episodes. Still, the overwhelming consensus is that Love Story is a visually gorgeous, emotionally engaging piece of prestige television — and one of the more ambitious biographical dramas in recent memory.
The Kennedy Family Controversy
The series was not without its share of off-screen drama before it even aired. In June 2025, Jack Schlossberg — JFK Jr.’s nephew — publicly criticized the production for not consulting the Kennedy family during development. He called the series exploitative and urged Ryan Murphy to donate a portion of its profits to the John F. Kennedy Library. Murphy later indicated he planned to make a donation. The exchange made headlines and arguably generated even more public interest in the show ahead of its premiere.
Why This Series Is Capturing America’s Attention
There is something deeply American about the story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. He was the boy who saluted his father’s casket, who grew up to become one of the most photographed men in the world. She was the self-made woman who walked into that world and found that fame is not a gift when you never asked for it.
Their story is about love in the spotlight, about what it costs to be adored by strangers while struggling to truly know each other. In a media landscape still obsessed with celebrity relationships and the price of public life, Love Story arrives at exactly the right moment.
Ryan Murphy has built a career on dramatizing the lives of people who became legends — and with Love Story, he turns the camera on one of the most romanticized and mourned couples in American history. The result is a series that feels both like a tribute and a reckoning.
Final Thoughts
Whether you tune in on FX or stream it through Hulu, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is a series worth your time. With strong performances, period-perfect production design, and a story that still carries emotional weight more than 25 years later, this is prestige television doing what it does best — bringing history to life and making you feel it all over again.
If you’re watching Love Story this season, drop your thoughts in the comments below — we want to know what you think of the casting, the performances, and how the show is handling one of America’s most unforgettable romances.
