Netflix’s new series Kennedy will chronicle the untold story of America’s most iconic political dynasty, revealing the triumphs and tragedies that shaped the family and the modern world.
Netflix is diving deep into one of America’s most storied families with Kennedy, a new eight-episode drama series that promises to uncover the private lives and public legacies of the nation’s most famous dynasty. The series, produced by Netflix and Chernin Entertainment, is based on Fredrik Logevall’s acclaimed biography JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917–1956.
The show will explore the intimate lives, loves, rivalries, and tragedies that defined the Kennedy family, beginning in the 1930s with the rise of Joe Kennedy and Rose Kennedy and their nine children. The first season will center on Jack Kennedy’s struggle to break free from the shadow of his charismatic older brother as the family’s influence begins to shape the course of American history.
Leading the series is Michael Fassbender, who will portray family patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr., a man whose ambition and drive propelled his family into the political and cultural spotlight.
Behind the camera, the project boasts an impressive creative team. Sam Shaw, known for Manhattan, Castle Rock, and Masters of Sex, serves as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Kaitlin Dahill for Chernin Entertainment, along with Eric Roth, Fredrik Logevall, Lila Byock, Anya Epstein, Dustin Thomason, Thomas Vinterberg, and Anna O’Malley. The series will be directed by Thomas Vinterberg, whose acclaimed films include Festen, The Hunt, and Another Round.
Speaking to Tudum.com, Shaw described the series as a uniquely American story with mythic undertones.
“The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology — somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful,” Shaw said. “But Fredrik Logevall’s stunning, nuanced biography pulls a veil on the human strivings and burdens behind the myth, revealing as much about our present moment — how we got here and where we’re going — as about the Kennedys themselves.”
Shaw added that he’s thrilled to tell the saga “of a family and a world in transition” alongside Roth, Vinterberg, and an “incredible band of artists and partners.”
Netflix has become known for delivering prestige dramas centered on real-world icons, with global hits like The Crown and The Empress offering intimate portrayals of influential figures and royal families. Kennedy aims to bring that same level of historical depth and emotional resonance to the screen.
Chernin Entertainment, the production powerhouse behind Ford v Ferrari, Hidden Figures, and The Greatest Showman, continues its successful partnership with Netflix following major projects like Back in Action, Luther: The Fallen Sun, and the Fear Street trilogy. The company’s upcoming slate also includes Age of Innocence and Man on Fire, both for Netflix.
With its powerhouse cast, award-winning creative team, and timeless subject matter, Kennedy is poised to deliver a sweeping, emotionally rich look at the dynasty that helped define a nation.
