Forget the cynics — Netflix’s upcoming drama Kennedy isn’t just another attempt to capture lightning in a tiara. It’s a bold, ambitious retelling of America’s most mythic dynasty, and insiders say it might just be The Crown for a new generation — one where the glamour is homegrown, the politics are personal, and the heartbreak feels all too familiar.
When The Crown first premiered in 2016, it did more than dramatize royal history — it redefined what prestige television could be. Now, nearly a decade later, Netflix is betting that the Kennedy family — with their unmatched blend of beauty, tragedy, power, and scandal — can do it again. “The Kennedys are America’s royal family,” says one producer close to the show. “Their story has everything — ambition, charisma, betrayal, love, loss, and legacy. It’s Succession meets The Crown, only real.”
A New Era of American Mythmaking
Set against the backdrop of 20th-century America, Kennedy spans generations — from the family’s Boston beginnings to the Camelot era that defined a presidency and inspired a nation. The first season focuses on the family’s patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., portrayed by Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender, in what’s already being hailed as a transformative performance. Known for his steely intensity and emotional nuance, Fassbender is said to capture both the ruthless ambition and fierce devotion that built one of the most powerful families in history.
“This isn’t just about politics,” explains a Netflix executive. “It’s about the price of greatness. Joe Kennedy didn’t just want success — he wanted immortality through his children. That drive shaped a family and a country.”
Viewers can expect a sweeping cinematic experience — lavishly recreated settings from London to Hyannis Port, a haunting orchestral score, and costumes that evoke the elegance of an era when power and style were inseparable. The show will explore how the Kennedys navigated the glittering yet perilous intersection of politics, celebrity, and morality, mirroring the themes that made The Crown resonate worldwide.
Why The Kennedys Still Matter
While critics may argue that the Kennedy story has been told before, the truth is that its pull remains irresistible. More than half a century after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the family’s name still carries a near-mythic allure. “Every generation rediscovers them,” says a historian consulted on the series. “They’re the embodiment of the American paradox — hope and heartbreak intertwined.”
From John’s inspiring call to service, to Robert’s moral courage, to Jackie’s grace under unimaginable pressure, the Kennedys represent the best — and most fragile — parts of the American dream. Netflix’s Kennedy doesn’t shy away from the darkness, but it also celebrates the light: the optimism that defined the New Frontier, the belief that politics could be noble, and that youth and imagination could change the world.
In an age of cynicism, Kennedy is a reminder that idealism, even when imperfect, can still move nations. “It’s easy to focus on the scandals,” says an insider. “But this series also captures why we fell in love with them in the first place. They were flawed, yes — but they made us believe.”
A ‘Crown’ for a New Continent
Netflix insiders see Kennedy as the natural successor to The Crown — not a copy, but a continuation. Where The Crown explored duty, restraint, and monarchy, Kennedy delves into ambition, charisma, and democracy. Both are about legacy — how power is inherited, wielded, and lost.
Just as The Crown gave us layered portrayals of Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and Princess Diana, Kennedy will spotlight America’s icons with empathy and complexity. Rose Kennedy emerges not just as a matriarch but as a moral compass; Joe Jr., Jack, Bobby, and Teddy are not mere headlines but human beings struggling under impossible expectations. The series aims to strip away the mythology without erasing the magic.
“Think of it as The Great Gatsby meets The West Wing,” says one member of the creative team. “It’s glamorous, yes, but it’s also deeply emotional. The Kennedys aren’t just political figures — they’re characters in the great American novel, and this show treats them that way.”
The Next Global Obsession
For Netflix, Kennedy arrives at a pivotal moment. With The Crown ending and audiences craving character-driven prestige storytelling, the streaming giant is looking for its next cultural obsession — and Kennedy could be it. The show reportedly boasts a top-tier writing team, historical consultants, and a visual sensibility inspired by mid-century photography and classic cinema.
Insiders say the tone will evolve across seasons — from the patriarchal ambitions of Joe Sr. to the soaring promise and eventual tragedy of the next generation. Future installments are expected to tackle John’s presidency, Bobby’s moral awakening, Jackie’s transformation from first lady to global icon, and the unending question of what the Kennedys truly stood for.
“It’s about family as much as history,” says a source close to production. “At its heart, it’s about love — love of country, love of power, love of one another — and what happens when those loves collide.”
The Legacy Continues
Far from being another retread of tabloid history, Kennedy seeks to reclaim the family’s story as modern myth — one that still shapes America’s imagination. “Camelot isn’t over,” says one producer. “It just needed a new storyteller.”
As Netflix positions Kennedy as its next prestige crown jewel, the series is poised to remind audiences worldwide why the Kennedy name still glows like gold — a symbol of aspiration, tragedy, and enduring hope.
In a world starved for heroes, Kennedy may give us something even more powerful: the courage to look at greatness — and imperfection — and see ourselves.
Coming soon: Kennedy — the American dream, reimagined.
Rob Shuter is a celebrity journalist, talk-show host, and former publicist who has represented stars including Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Kate Spade, Diddy, Jon Bon Jovi, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Jessica Simpson, and HRH Princess Michael of Kent. He is the author of The 4 Word Answer, a bestselling self-help book blending Hollywood stories with personal breakthroughs. Rob hosts Naughty But Nice with Rob, a top 20 iTunes podcast, and was the only entertainment columnist at The Huffington Post. A veteran of PR and magazines, he also helmed OK! Magazine. Read his latest exclusives at robshuter.substack.com
