The main cast of the Netflix drama series Kennedy, a new prestige drama series being developed that will feature the most famous political family in America, has been unveiled. This new drama series was first announced on January 20, 2026.
The first season has eight episodes and is inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Fredrik Logevall’s JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956. This is a historical biography of JFK. Contrary to most presidential biographies, this series delves into the life and times of the Kennedy family from the early days of patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and his offspring’s ambitions and rivalries.
The reframing of the Kennedy myth
Michael Fassbender is the principal actor in the series who performs the character of the strong father, Joe Kennedy Sr., who established the image of the family through his ambitions and discipline. The choice of the principal actor provides insight into the future of Netflix regarding the tone of the series.
The series also stars Laura Donnelly as the devoted and emotionally erratic mother, Rose Kennedy, as well as Nick Robinson as the eldest son, Joe Kennedy Jr. The Kennedy siblings will be portrayed by Joshuah Melnick in his series acting debut as the young John F. Kennedy, ‘Jack,’ in periods when he isn’t the president but instead faces challenging periods in life.
The other actors will also broaden the scope of the relatives. Lydia Peckham has been selected to play the role of Rosemary Kennedy, whose life is expected to be handled delicately, while Saura Lightfoot-Leon will play the role of Kathleen Kick Kennedy, who is famous for being rebellious. Cole Doman has been selected to play the role of Lem Billings, a best friend of JFK, while Ben Miles will play the role of Eddie Moore.
In a stroke of clever counterprogramming, the role of Gloria Swanson will be played by Imogen Poots, a reference to the Kennedys’ connection to Hollywood in the form of Joe Kennedy.
In a statement issued directly from Netflix, it is evident that this series is not biographical but instead explores what lies beneath the mythology and examines the human strivings and burdens, according to executive producer Sam Shaw (Manhattan, Castle Rock). He is working alongside director Thomas Vinterberg (Another Round), whose directing is character-driven and an asset to this series.
The first season is historical and is set in the 1930s and focuses on the couple Joe and Rose Kennedy and their quest for accumulating wealth and their dreams to produce successful sons. One of the overriding elements within the historical season is the rivalry between the eldest son, Joe Jr., and Jack, who is the second son but is frail and struggling to find his appropriate niche within the Kennedy clan.
This will be the conflict that will act as a catalyst to start everything that will be seen in this series of events, which will be based on what the viewers know to be true.
Although the series would only be for eight episodes, the show is separated into different seasons. This would range from the presidential election in 1960 to the end of the unfortunate events that ensured the Kennedys were a memory to be collectively shared in the United States of America.
The shooting of this series is expected to take place in early 2026 in Massachusetts, New York, and London, where the political setting in America, as well as the impact of this family on the whole world, would be portrayed. Taking into account the point that a number of details are to be incorporated, Netflix will unveil this series in mid-2027.
The creative team also consists of screenwriter Eric Roth, known for penning the screenplay in ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ thereby re-emphasizing their objective to be nominated for an award through this series.
Considering the whole cast and crew put together to work on this series, it’s evident that ‘Kennedy’ wishes to be more than just a historical series.
