Creators Of Ryan Murphy’s Love Story Respond To Backlash Over JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Series

The creators behind the ever-controversial Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette have responded after the show was slammed by relatives of its real-life subjects. 

ICYMI, the Ryan Murphy-produced series landed last week, and traces the whirlwind love story and tragic death of ‘90s icons, JFK Jr. and Caroyln Bessette. 

In true Murphy fashion, the series copped heat before it even arrived, including from JFK Jr.’s actual nephew Jack Schlossberg. 

“For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with the new show about him, the answer is no,” Schlossberg wrote on Instagram last year. 

“I think admiration for my uncle John is great. What I don’t think is great is profiting off of it in a grotesque way,” he added. 

Now, Love Story’s co-producer Brad Simpson has responded to the criticisms, saying in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that those involved in the show had an “ethical obligation” to approach the story with “love and kindness”.

“What I hope is that when people watch the show, they will see our sincerity. They will see that we’ve approached this with love, and that we were trying to celebrate the life of Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr,” Simpson said.

Simpson went on to address critics like Schlossberg more directly, urging people to “watch the show” before judging its intentions. “I can understand why somebody could have a reaction before they see it,” he said.

“But, I would say, ‘watch the show,’ because I think they’re going to be surprised at how sincere it is.” 

Whether or not Love Story dutifully honours its subjects is up to the individual viewer, but it wasn’t the only criticism levelled against the show ahead of its premiere. 

Last June, Murphy was forced to respond when scores of critics slammed the costume choices for Bessette’s character, played by Sarah Pidgeon.

Elsewhere in the broader RMU (Ryan Murphy Universe), shows like Monster have attracted the ire of their real-life counterparts like Erik and Lyle Menendez and the families of Jeffrey Dahmer‘s victims. 

Murphy was already running out of people to piss off before he went ahead and dropped the clusterfuck/camp masterpiece that was All’s Fair.

Lead images: YouTube and Instagram