Netflix Is Making A Series About The Kennedy Family Starring Michael Fassbender
Netflix and Chernin Entertainment have set the new drama series, Kennedy, which will explore the triumphs and tragedies of the Kennedy family, with Michael Fassbender (The Agency, Black Bag) cast as patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr.
Kennedy is based on Fredrik Logevall’s book, “JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956,” and will be showrun by Sam Shaw (Manhattan, Masters of Sex) and directed by Thomas Vinterberg (Festen, The Hunt), with all three set as executive producers.
According to the official logline, the 8-episode series will reveal “the intimate lives, loves, rivalries, and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history, and helped create the world we live in today. Beginning in the 1930s, the first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.”
If there was ever a family that was the American version of the Royals, it is the Kennedys.
That's why this is an obvious move from the same streamer that made 'The Crown' Their manipulation of our political world is obviously crazy. Joe Kennedy basically installed his kids into positions across the country like he was the Emir of the Northeast. And the 1960 election? There is a lot of crazy digging you can do there. And this is all before we even get to the assassinations. On top of that, their family life is obviously crazy. We're talking about people that lobotomized their intellectually disabled daughter to "protect" their image. Insanity.
There have been a few stabs at this so far but it hasn't felt like much has stuck. I have a lot of faith in Vinterberg as a director I don't totally know what to think of Sam Shaw as a showrunner. Fassbender, though, is a great pick for Joe Sr. He labored through a decade of bad projects and has recently gotten a few really good roles. I hope this keeps that hot streak alive (watch Black Bag, by the way).
SIDE NOTE. It's no secret but my real name is Jack Kennedy which was a little annoying growing up. Any time I introduced myself to a new person over the age of 50, I got a whole spiel of "Oh my god I remember where I was when he died" etc etc. That phenomena has mostly passed. Now, though, I face a new issue. I'm getting married soon and the Kennedy family, god bless them, knew how to pick some great names that I simply cannot use for any of my own progeny. Joe? John? Ted? Robert? All off the table. This cursed family has taken that from me. However, in return, most restaurants seem to give me good reservations when I call so I guess that's the trade off.