Move over The Crown, Kennedy is the “astounding” family drama that’ll spill the secrets of a real-life dynasty

So far, nothing has come close to toppling the crown off, well, The Crown. But that’s all about to change, thanks to Netflix’s new family drama, Kennedy. The eight-part series will spill the secrets of America’s most astounding political family, the Kennedys, all the while charting their unstoppable rise to power. According to Netflix’s official synopsis, we can expect ‘loves, rivalries and tragedies’ – and we bet it’ll make revelations about the British Royal Family in The Crown pale in comparison.

Set in the 1930s, Kennedy will introduce us to power couple, Joe Kennedy Snr (Michael Fassbender) and Rose Kennedy (Laura Donnelly), plus their nine children, including Jack Kennedy (Joshuah Melnick), better known as US president, JFK. Throughout the series, we’ll see how the most iconic dynasty in modern history came to be (spoiler: it was no walk in the park), as well as how their influence continues to last on the world we live in today.

While we wait for Kennedy’s arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is Kennedy about?

The eight-part series takes us back to the 1930s when the Kennedy family started capturing the public consciousness – long before they entered the White House. Kennedy will chart patriarch, Joe Kennedy Snr (Michael Fassbender), and matriarch, Rose Kennedy (Laura Donnelly), and their nine children’s rapid rise to fame and political prominence. In particular, Kennedy will cast a light on Joe and Rose’s second son, Jack Kennedy (Joshuah Melnick), who, of course, later became US president, JFK. In his youth, JFK struggled to compete with his golden-boy older brother, Joe Kennedy Jr (Nick Robinson), so compensated with rebellious behaviour at his prestigious private school. This included one notorious incident when he exploded a toilet seat with a firecracker – not exactly future president behaviour! Along with JFK and Joe, Kennedy will introduce us to their other siblings, including Rosemary (Lydia Peckham) and Kick (Saura Lightfoot-Leon).

Inspired by Fredrik Logevall’s book, JFK: Coming Of Age In The American Century, 1917-1956, Kennedy aims to uncover the intimate truths at the heart of one of America’s foremost families. As Netflix’s synopsis explains: ‘Kennedy reveals 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.’

Showrunner Sam Shaw (Manhattan, Masters of Sex) also shared what to expect from the series. He explained: ‘The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology – somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold And The Beautiful. 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.

‘I’m thrilled to be able to explore this saga of a family and a world in transition with Eric Roth, Thomas Vinterberg and our incredible band of artists and partners, at a moment when our past feels urgently present.’

Who’s in the cast of Kennedy?

The cast of Kennedy includes:

• Michael Fassbender (The Agency, Black Bag) as Joe Kennedy Sr
• Laura Donnelly (The Nevers, Sugar Rush) as Rose Kennedy
• Nick Robinson (A Teacher, Maid) as Joe Kennedy Jr
• Joshuah Melnick as Jack Kennedy
• Ben Miles (Andor, The Crown) as Eddie Moore
• Lydia Peckham (Robin Hood, Nuremberg) as Rosemary Kennedy
• Saura Lightfoot-Leon (The Agency: Central Intelligence) as Kick Kennedy
• Cole Doman (The Mastermind, Mutt) as Lem Billings
• Imogen Poots (The Chronology Of Water, All Of You) as Gloria Swanson

Who are the real-life Kennedy family?

The Kennedys are arguably America’s greatest dynasty and have even earned comparisons to the British Royal Family. They first arrived in the US in the 19^th Century as Irish immigrants, amassing a fortune thanks to ventures in entertainment, liquor and finance. The family’s first foray into politics was in 1884 when Patrick Joseph ‘PJ’ Kennedy became the first Kennedy elected to public office in the Massachusetts state legislature. From 1947 to 2011, at least one Kennedy family member was serving in federal elective office every year. Perhaps the most famous member, JFK, was president from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.

How can I watch Kennedy?

While Netflix hasn’t yet shared a release date for Kennedy, we’re hoping to see it on our screens at some point in 2026.

What other family dramas can I watch now?

If you’re a fan of Succession or Peaky Blinders, then we’d highly recommend House Of Guinness. The eight-part series tells the true story of the Guinness family and the power struggle that ensued when the man behind its extraordinary success died. You can watch House Of Guinness on Netflix. Alternatively, we’d suggest The Imposter, which revolves around a twisted betrayal at the heart of a wealthy hotelier’s family. All the drama kicks off when the hotelier’s secret daughter arrives on her doorstep – and let’s just say it doesn’t end well. You can watch The Imposter on Channel 5.