Writer, director, and producer Ryan Murphy has dipped his toe into the pools of 1960s-era mental institutions, New York City ball culture, New Orleans witches, first responders, high school student-body elections, and—lest we forget—gay teens singing over the years. But the latest piece of IP-slash-American history he’s gotten his hands on, an American Story franchise focused on the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, somehow seems the hardest of all to pull off. I’m confident that many a TV executive has lost their job as a result of doubting Murphy’s powers, so I’m not saying he can’t do it, but…how do you even cast two figures as iconically, generation-definingly preppy as John-John and Carolyn?
Obviously, Bessette-Kennedy being one of the great style icons of the 1990s (and arguably of all time), the Vogue staff immediately Had Thoughts as to who should play the presidential scion and his fashion-publicist bride—as well as several other key members of their tribe. Our suggestions below.
John F. Kennedy Jr.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Vogue Creative Editorial Director Mark Guiducci suggested Jacob Elordi for the role, which feels kind of perfect, but given Murphy’s penchant for returning to the same actors time and time again, the most likely answer is probably either Evan Peters—which…sure—or Travis Kelce. (Do I think Kelce has the presidential-adjacent gravitas to pull off JFK Jr.? Not really, but again, to doubt anyone associated with the Murphy empire is to eventually, inevitably, watch them accept an Emmy while you frown on your couch.)
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
I, personally, am not done seeing The Crown alum Elizabeth Debicki in ’90s period pieces, and would very much like to see her inhabit an (admittedly tall) version of Carolyn. But Guiducci also noted that Jodie Comer “would be a sophisticated, gorgeous, complicated Carolyn.” Vogue contributing editor Lilah Ramzi, on the other hand, posited that going by Murphy’s Law (the core tenet of which is: stick with your reliable friends), Bessette-Kennedy is more likely to be embodied by Emma Roberts, or…wait for it…Kim Kardashian. Then again, Kendall’s the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-blonde one now…
Carole Radziwill
Photo: Getty Images