John F. Kennedy Jr. has remained one of America’s most fascinating public figures, and now two new television projects are putting his life back in the spotlight. CNN recently released a three-part documentary titled American Prince: JFK Jr., while producer Ryan Murphy is preparing a scripted FX series called American Love Story that will debut in 2026. Both shows revisit the man once called “America’s Prince,” though they take very different approaches.
The CNN documentary focuses on Kennedy’s real life, mixing archival video with interviews from friends, colleagues, and celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Robert De Niro, Carole Radziwill, and Graydon Carter. It explores his struggle to live up to the Kennedy family legacy, his effort to create his own path with the launch of George magazine, and his marriage to Carolyn Bessette. The final episode covers the 1999 plane crash that claimed their lives, presenting it as both a tragedy and the end of a cultural era.
Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story is a dramatized version of Kennedy’s romance with Carolyn Bessette. Paul Kelly plays JFK Jr., with Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn, Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy, and Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy. The series will dramatize the couple’s courtship, marriage, and the pressures of fame, aiming to show both the glamour and the challenges of their relationship. The show is set to premiere during Valentine’s Week 2026, highlighting its theme of love and loss.
The projects have not come without controversy. Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.’s nephew, criticized Murphy for turning his uncle’s life into what he called a “public spectacle.” He argued that it disrespects the Kennedy family’s history of public service. Murphy dismissed the criticism, saying Schlossberg was too young to fully remember his uncle. Schlossberg then responded by sharing personal memories of JFK Jr. to defend his family’s position.
Together, the CNN documentary and Murphy’s drama show how JFK Jr.’s story continues to resonate with audiences. One uses facts and first-hand accounts to preserve his memory, while the other uses actors and dramatic storytelling to bring his romance with Carolyn Bessette to life for a new generation. Both underline how Kennedy’s life and tragic death still capture the public imagination more than 25 years later.