Michael Fassbender to portray Kennedy patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr.
Netflix today announced a new drama series based on Fredrik Logevall’s book, JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956. The series, titled Kennedy, will explore the triumphs and tragedies of the Kennedy family.
Michael Fassbender (The Agency, Black Bag) will star in the upcoming first season as Kennedy patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr. Season one will consist of 8 episodes and chronicle 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. Thomas Vinterberg (Another Round, The Hunt) will direct with Sam Shaw (Manhattan, Castle Rock) as showrunner and executive producer. Additional cast will be announced at a later time.
Shaw told Tudum,”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.”
Additional executive producers are Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and Kaitlin Dahill for Chernin Entertainment, Eric Roth, Fredrik Logevall, Lila Byock, Anya Epstein, Dustin Thomason, Thomas Vinterberg, and Anna O’Malley.
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