See the 'Love Story' cast side-by-side with the real people they're playing

Casting plays a critical role in any TV show, but it's especially important when you're working on a series that's based on real-life people.

"Love Story," a new FX series that chronicles John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s relationship, is the perfect example of how casting and costumes can bring viewers back to a specific historical moment — and how high the stakes can be.

In June 2025, photos of actor Sarah Pidgeon playing Bessette led some critics to question if "Love Story" would accurately capture the fashion executive's signature style.

Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. in "Love Story."

Ryan Murphy, the show's writer and executive producer, promptly reassured critics that the photos didn't feature the final costumes and noted that the show had a 12-person "style advisory board" to ensure accuracy.

Naturally, viewers also have strong opinions about the show's cast. After “Love Story” premiered on Feb. 12, many viewers took to Instagram to share their thoughts on the leading lady and man.

Another weighed in, saying, "Perfect casting! They are extraordinary in their roles."

However, some viewers weren't immediately sold on the actors' performances.

Whether you're watching the series or are simply curious, we're taking a closer look at the cast of "Love Story" and the real-life people they're portraying.

Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr.

JFK Jr. and Paul Anthony Kelly. (Getty Images / FX)

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer and creator Connor Hines revealed that the casting team "saw over 1,000 people" before they found Paul Anthony Kelly.

Hines said JFK Jr. had "an aesthetic that a lot of leading men don’t really have anymore" and a "bygone masculinity."

In an interview with Town & Country, executive producer Nina Jacobson said the team didn't find Kelly until three weeks before the show began filming.

“We weren’t sure if we were going to have to push because we still didn’t have him,” she said.

When the casting team reviewed audition tapes once again, they were impressed by Kelly, a Canadian model.

“Paul was probably one of the first 100, 200 guys we read, and he was always so handsome and there was always something there, but sometimes with casting, you need the right eyes on the right person at the right time for it to fall in place," casting director Nicole Daniels told Town & Country.

After doing a chemistry read with Pidgeon, Kelly was hired.

"Once we had the two of them together, their chemistry, their ease, even though they have very different backgrounds. He was kind of giving up on acting because he didn’t know that it was really going to work, but his modeling was paying off," Jacobson said.

"One of the most helpful things, which I would go back to a lot, is that he narrates his father’s book, 'Profiles in Courage.' I’d listen to that every day before set or in between takes or at lunchtime, just to get into his cadence and flow," he said.

Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette

Carolyn Bessette and Sarah Pidgeon. (Getty Images / FX)

In an interview with Town & Country, casting director Nicole Daniels said the show's team was prepared to search for a while to find the right actor to play Carolyn Bessette. But when Sarah Pidgeon auditioned, they knew they'd found the one.

“Carolyn has a more specific look than John did, so we just assumed that it would be harder to find the angular face and all of those things. But Sarah’s tape came in right away and it was pretty clear,” Daniels said.

Pidgeon is normally a brunette, but the team was able to see what she would look like as a blonde by editing a photo of her.

“It did definitely help to get a sense of what she would look like as a blonde. But performance, presence, charisma, mystery, kind of elusiveness, she just brought it all with incredible range. She jumped out and got the part,” Jacobson said.

In an interview with Vogue, Pidgeon said she wasn't surprised that some critics were concerned that those initial photos of her wardrobe didn't accurately represent Bessette's sense of style.

"The online conversations at the beginning of the process served as a reminder of how important it was to get our portrayal of Carolyn correct. She grew even more important to me," she said. "People really, really love Carolyn, and my priority every single day on set was doing justice to her legacy."

Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Naomi Watts. (Getty Images / FX)

Casting the role of Jackie Kennedy Onassis could've been a massive undertaking, but Murphy knew who he wanted for the character.

"Naomi, that was always Ryan’s thought," Jacobson told Town & Country. "I love her Jackie O. It feels different than anybody else’s you’ve seen, but much more true to people say they recognize the voice, the intonations, but she feels like a mom who loves her kids, who’s like at a different time in her life than we’re used to seeing her. And I think that the complexity, the depth that Naomi was able to bring, it breaks my heart.”

"When I would watch her, I would completely forget that I wrote the show and that I was there to work. She was so mesmerizing in her performance. I felt like I was at a play every day she was on set," Hines said.

Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy

Caroline Kennedy and Grace Gummer. (Getty Images / FX)

Grace Gummer, the daughter of Meryl Streep, plays the role of JFK Jr.'s sister, Caroline Kennedy.

"We actually never even talked about who her mother was, but Grace also has a relationship with Ryan," Daniels said. "When we were starting our process, she was top of mind for everybody. She won that role, but she had to come and audition, and once she read for us, it was sort of a no-brainer. We were like, this would be crazy not to go with her."

"It reminds us of a time that doesn’t exist anymore — a time before our phones, when life was to be lived and not incessantly documented. Not to be pessimistic, but I feel like it was the end of living freely and moment-to-moment with each other — creatively, artistically, musically. It was also the last time we believed in a collective greater good, politically; the Kennedys were, obviously, the last sort of American royal family that we had to revere and look up to," she said.

Gummer also reflected on the journey her character has taken personally and professionally.

"And I just have an immense amount of respect for her as a mother, an author, a diplomat, an attorney, a sister, a wife, and a daughter. What she has managed to overcome and achieve in her life is beyond admirable. I’m in awe of her," she said.

Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein and Alessandro Nivola. (Getty Images / FX)

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy famously worked for fashion designer Calvin Klein. In "Love Story," Alessandro Nivola stars as Klein and appears in several episodes.

Early on in the series, Bessette helps fit Kennedy for a suit and sparks fly.

Nivola is known for roles in "The Brutalist," "American Hustle" and "Disobedience."

Dree Hemingway as Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah and Dree Hemingway. (Getty Images / FX)

Dree Hemingway, the real-life daughter of actor Mariel Hemingway and the great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, is known for her roles in "Starlet," "While We're Young" and "The Disaster Artist."

In "Love Story," Dree Hemingway plays Daryl Hannah, a famous actor and JFK Jr.'s on-again, off-again girlfriend.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dree Hemingway said she doesn't know Hannah personally, but explained that her mother does.

“I reached out (to Hannah). I have no expectations of her reaching out to me in any way, but I basically wrote her a love note of how much I appreciate her as a woman, as an actress, and what an honor of my life this has been,” she said.

Dree Hemingway also shared how she approached the role.

"I mean, I love her so much. It’s an incredible and iconic shoe to fill, but Ryan (Murphy) and Connor Hines, who wrote everything, were so great at characterizing Daryl. The show is definitely told from a fictional aspect because we don’t know what happened (behind closed doors). But it was amazing. She’s amazing," she said.

Leila George as Kelly Klein

Kelly Klein and Leila George. (Getty Images / FX)

Leila George is an Australian actor known for her roles in "Mortal Engines," "Disclaimer" and "He Ain't Heavy."

In "Love Story," George plays the role of Kelly Klein, the former wife of designer Calvin Klein. While reflecting on her experience on set, George shared the following message on Instagram.

"Kelly Klein — by far the best dressed character I’ve ever played!I had SO much fun on this one. The best people!@sarah__pidgeon the coolest chic on screen and off... her talent will blow you away," she wrote. "@alessandro.nivola my partner in crime, the Calvin to my Kelly, I spent most scenes just trying to keep a straight face, he is perfection. Couldn’t have done this one without @williamconacher !! ... @dreelouisehemingway 💕💕 and the rest, so much love for you all xxAnd of course, the beautiful OG @kellyaklein 🤍."

Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette

Sydney Lemmon. (FX)

Lauren Bessette, one of Bessette's two sisters, died in the plane crash that killed Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette in 1999. Lauren Bessette had a twin sister, Lisa Bessette.

After graduating college, Lauren Bessette worked at Morgan Stanley and was later promoted from vice president to a principal, per the New York Times.

Actor Sydney Lemmon, the granddaughter of actor Jack Lemmon, plays Lauren Bessette in "Love Story." Sydney Lemmon has several acting credits to her name, including appearances in the following TV series: "Evil," "Succession," "The Good Fight" and "Fear the Walking Dead."

Constance Zimmer as Ann Messina Freeman

Constance Zimmer. (@constancezimmer via Instagram)

Actor Constance Zimmer plays Bessette's mother, Ann Messina, in "Love Story."

"And there it is in all its glory!! I can finally talk about it! Thank you @deadline @ryanmurphyproductions @connorhines_ @crashbpm and the many more people that brought me here! Having the opportunity to portray this woman, Ann Messina Freeman, was the most emotionally gratifying and heart wrenching person I’ve had the honor of representing on screen. From the script to the cast and crew, this project moved me in so many ways, I’m so beyond grateful to be a part of it!" she wrote.

Zimmer is known for her roles in "UnREAL," "Entourage," "Good Trouble" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Jessica Harper as Ethel Kennedy

Ethel Kennedy and Jessica Harper. (Getty Images / FX)

Actor Jessica Harper plays the role of Robert F. Kennedy's wife, Ethel Kennedy. She appears in three episodes of "Love Story."

Throughout her life, Ethel Kennedy worked as a human rights advocate.

Harper is known for roles in "Suspiria," "Shock Treatment" and "Minority Report."