Netflix has its leading roles for the Kennedy TV series. Announced on January 20th, 2026, Michael Fassbender and Laura Donnelly will star as Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy, respectively.
Keep reading to learn more about the Netflix series, including cast members, plot, and release date, below.
Fassbender and Donnelly’s Roles
Michael Fassbender is taking on the role of Joe Kennedy Sr, one of the protagonists of the show. Kennedy Sr. is the patriarch of the Kennedy clan.
On his wing will be Laura Donnelly, playing Rose Kennedy, the wife of Kennedy Sr. Rose also acts as a key figure in the formation and destiny of the Kennedy dynasty.
Other Cast Members
Fassbender and Donnelly aren’t the only cast members to be announced for the historical drama series. Below are some of the other cast members, including past roles and their new ones for the Kennedy TV series.
- Nick Robinson (Damsel, Love, Simon) – Joe Kennedy Jr.
- Joshuah Melnick (The Dalles, Saint X) – John F. Kennedy
- Ben Miles (Andor, The Crown) – Eddie Moore, longtime aide to Joe Kennedy Sr.
- Lydia Peckham (Robin Hood, Nuremberg) – Rosemary Kennedy
- Saura Lightfoot-Leon (The Agency, American Primeval) – Kick Kennedy
- Cole Doman (The Mastermind, Mutt) – Lem Billings, best friend of JFK
- Imogen Poots (The Chronology of Water, All of You) as Gloria Swanson
What is the Kennedy TV Series About?
The Kennedy TV series is based on historian Fredrik Logevall’s book, JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956.
Set in the 1930s, the series will explore “the intimate lives, loves, rivalries and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history.”
More specifically, there will be eight episodes in the first season, which charts the ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack.
The themes of family, politics, and tension will frame the series and the rise of the Kennedy surname, and reveal an intimate look into the family’s private life.
Behind the Scenes
Thomas Vinterberg, Oscar winner and Danish filmmaker, is directing the Kennedy TV series.
He serves as an executive producer alongside Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Kaitlin Dahill, Eric Roth, Fredrik Logevall, Lila Byock, Anya Epstein, Dustin Thomason, and Anna O’Malley.
Sam Shaw is the showrunner for the series, with the project being produced by Chernin Entertainment.
When Will the Kennedy TV Series Premiere?
As of now, Netflix has not announced an official release date for the Kennedy TV series. However, it is to be expected that the historical drama will reach a global audience sometime in 2027.