Grace Gummer recently shared her insights on playing Caroline Kennedy in the FX limited series Love Story, which explores the romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The show, executive produced by Ryan Murphy, has drawn significant attention since its debut, with Gummer reflecting on the unexpected global reaction to the series. As an actress familiar with working on high-profile projects, Gummer is used to being behind the scenes rather than the subject of dramatization.
The 39-year-old actress spoke with Elle about her character, describing the series’ success with a mixture of surprise and camaraderie.
“We knew people would like it, but we didn’t know it would be a global phenomenon,”
Gummer said.
“We all have a group chat together, and we’re like, ‘Okay, what is going on?’”
Controversy Surrounding Ryan Murphy’s Portrayal of the Kennedy Family
The series has sparked debate, particularly from members of the Kennedy family and others depicted in the story. Jack Schlossberg, nephew of JFK Jr. and son of Caroline Kennedy, expressed strong criticism of the show on CBS Sunday Morning, accusing Murphy of profiting from his family’s personal tragedy. Schlossberg, 33, stated,
“If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy. The guy knows nothing about what he’s talking about, and he’s making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else’s life.”
In Love Story, prominent family members like Schlossberg’s parents are featured, with Ben Shenkman portraying his father Edwin Schlossberg and Gummer as his mother Caroline. Schlossberg emphasized his disappointment with the show’s commercial success, adding,
“I would hope that Mr. Murphy would donate some of the millions of dollars of profits that he’s making to maybe some of the causes that John championed throughout his life. Maybe he would donate some of that money to the JFK library to help keep President Kennedy’s memory alive, but he’s not. He’s making money. This is not a documentary.”
Grace Gummer’s Thoughts on a Show About Her Mother, Meryl Streep
In the interview with Elle, Gummer reflected on the possibility of Ryan Murphy producing a television series about her mother, acclaimed actress Meryl Streep. She expressed doubt that such a project would come to life, noting the difference between her family’s private life and the Kennedy legacy.
“I just don’t know if that would happen, right? Because my upbringing was nowhere near public,”
she said.
Gummer spoke about the enduring fascination with the Kennedys, highlighting the mystique that surrounds the family in American culture.
“The thing about the Kennedys is there’s always been this lore about them, this mist in the American era that is so intriguing and will constantly be huge on the public stage,”
she explained.
“It always has been. People are always fascinated with them. And no one is immune to an ill-fated love story. I think we really, really need that right now.”
Criticism from Daryl Hannah Over Her Depiction in the Series
Another focus of contention in Love Story is the portrayal of Daryl Hannah, who previously had a long-term relationship with JFK Jr. Actress Daryl Hannah publicly condemned her depiction in the series through a detailed essay for The New York Times. Hannah noted,
“The character ‘Daryl Hannah’ portrayed in the series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John. The actions and behaviors attributed to me are untrue.”
She went on to criticize the show’s choice to depict her character negatively, writing,
“I have long believed that engaging with distortion often amplifies it. But a recent tragedy-exploiting television series about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette features a character using my name and presents her as me. The choice to present her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.”
Highlighting several inaccuracies, Hannah expressed her frustration, stating,
“It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show. These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct — and they are false.”
Public Reception and What to Expect Next for Love Story
Despite the backlash from the Kennedy family and Daryl Hannah, Love Story premiered to a wide audience and continues to draw attention Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on FX, with episodes available the following day on Hulu. The ongoing debate reflects deeper questions about the ethics of dramatizing real-life stories, especially those involving well-known public figures whose lives have been marked by tragedy and public fascination.
The show’s popularity demonstrates the enduring intrigue surrounding the Kennedy family, and it remains to be seen how this portrayal will affect public perception and the future of similar historical dramas. For viewers, the series falls within a tradition of revisiting iconic American stories—sometimes with contested interpretations—and prompts conversations about the balance between creative license and respect for real people’s lives.
