Why Michael Fassbender's upcoming Netflix series Kennedy is being described as the American version of The Crown

Netflix is brewing another new show titled Kennedy, starring Michael Fassbender as Joseph Kennedy Sr. The show is being compared with The Crown and is described as the American version of it. This is mostly because, just like The Crown highlights the history of the British royal family, the upcoming drama aims to portray the rise of the Kennedy dynasty.

The first season begins in the 1930s, with Joe and Rose Kennedy and their growing family of nine children (including the future President John F. Kennedy). Based on Fredrik Logevall’s biography of John, the show is worth anticipating, especially after the hype surrounding it being called the American version of The Crown. Read on to know more.

Here is why Michael Fassbender's upcoming Netflix series, Kennedy, is being described as the American version of The Crown

JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917–1956 is the book that has served as an inspiration and a source of research during the development of the show. The upcoming drama is created by Sam Shaw, known for Castle Rock and Masters of Sex, and involves some acclaimed directors shaping the narrative of the episodes. While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Sam Shaw highlighted the importance of the story to American mythology.

“The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology — somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful,” said Shaw. “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.”

The Crown portrays what goes on inside a prominent family — their personal politics and family betrayals within the royal dynasty. Likewise, Kennedy also focuses on politics and how it impacted the landscape, but from the American side, offering a different cultural and historical perspective.

The Netflix drama is about the rule of Queen Elizabeth II, starting from her ascent to the throne in the late 1940s. It also depicts some public events that took place at the time, including wars, crises, and state affairs. This, along with their private challenges in terms of marriages, love, mental health, and generational conflict, is what shaped the drama in the show.

Meanwhile, the upcoming show is about Joseph K., his wife Rose, and their children, as mentioned, and decodes the socio-politics from the 1930s onwards. Like The Crown, it explores both political ambitions, such as Joe’s influence and the careers of his children, along with family dynamics, including sibling rivalries and marriage contracts. Again, both shows, being historical dramas, are backed by nuanced research and meticulously detailed production design to add realism and authenticity in depicting a long-gone era.

When the narrative involves an influential family, the show tends to follow themes of the family's public legacy and the pressure of it, while highlighting the effect on their personal lives. Moreover, the upcoming drama, just like The Crown, aims to have multiple seasons. The character arcs have been written accordingly, excavating decades of history and bringing them to life on our screens.

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The show was announced on October 20, 2025, by Netflix, but there has been no official information about the release or production dates.

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