Michael Fassbender is set to take on the role of Joseph “Joe” Kennedy Sr. in Kennedy, an upcoming drama series from Netflix that will dive into the origins of one of America’s most storied families.
The streamer posted on X: “Michael Fassbender will star as Joe Kennedy Sr. in KENNEDY — a new series tracing the lives, loves, rivalries, and tragedies of the most iconic dynasty in modern history. Beginning in the 1930s, the first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children.”
Created by Sam Shaw and backed by Chernin Entertainment, the show will chronicle the Kennedys’ rise during the 1930s, focusing on their relationships, ambitions, and internal conflicts. The first season centers on Joe and his wife Rose as they build their legacy while raising their nine children—including a young John F Kennedy, portrayed as a rebellious figure trying to step out from his older brother’s shadow. Laura Donnelly will play Joe’s wife Rose and mother of their nine children.
Netflix said in a statement that “the new drama series, now in production, explores the lives, loves, rivalries and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history.” The project draws inspiration from JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917–1956, the acclaimed biography by Fredrik Logevall, offering a deeper, more personal look at the family behind their larger-than-life public image.
Shaw emphasized the balance between myth and reality in the story, saying, “The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology — somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful,” adding that the source material uncovers the emotional struggles and complexities beneath that legend.
Acclaimed director Thomas Vinterberg, known for Another Round, is attached to helm the series, which is planned as an ongoing production. With a strong creative team and a focus on both personal drama and historical context, Kennedy aims to present a layered portrait of a family whose influence continues to shape American culture and politics.
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