How ‘Love Story’ Conquered Disney+: The Tale Behind Its Record-Breaking Success

As the aircraft disappears, families receive the grim news, and the remains are dispersed. This marks the conclusion of Love Story, a flamboyant and polished nine-episode series by Ryan Murphy, depicting the tragic relationship between Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. However, one aspect remains undeniable: the allure of the Camelot legend—or at least this rendition—continues to fascinate audiences.

Recently, Disney+ announced that Love Story has become its most watched drama series ever. The show emerged as a dark horse, with its later episodes attracting 50% more viewers worldwide than its debut in February, fueled by its growing popularity on social media and people’s recommendations.

FX, the network behind the series, reported that online searches for JFK Jr. and Bessette surged by over 9,100% in the last month.

This surge in interest has naturally led to speculation about what Ryan Murphy will tackle next, with reports suggesting that another project is already in development.

Murphy, known for his successful yet often controversial TV projects like American Horror Story and the legal drama All’s Fair, consistently employs a recipe of retro allure, media frenzy, and cultural motifs, as TV critic Scott Bryan points out: “Historical precision is secondary. Nobody leverages controversy to market their productions quite like Ryan Murphy.”

Speculation on Reddit and other social platforms suggest potential future subjects could include Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, David and Victoria Beckham, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, or “Liza Minnelli with almost any of her husbands,” Bryan noted.

Key elements for these narratives often include tragic histories and legal leeway, which typically means the longer someone has been deceased, the easier it is to adapt their story.

These ingredients might explain why Love Story has captivated so many. It starts as a fairytale romance between a Kennedy heir and a Calvin Klein publicist, who become America’s most watched couple, and morphs into a cautionary tale about when marriage turns into a branding exercise.

According to Bryan, “if it hadn’t been so recently addressed, Princess Diana would possess all the elements for the Murphy treatment.”

Longstanding comparisons between Bessette and Diana, Princess of Wales, are so prevalent that the show’s penultimate episode even includes the princess’s 1997 death. Yet, for some viewers, these parallels seem more relevant to current events.

“The Diana comparisons are there, but for me, the relevance is more about the current rift between William, Harry, and Meghan,” mentioned Dan, a 38-year-old charity director from East London who recently binge-watched the series.

“Before watching, I wasn’t familiar with them. I understand they’re kind of like American royalty. But as a Brit, it’s probably easier for me to view this without any emotional attachment,” he added.

This detachment might be exactly the point. For British viewers, the tale serves as a contemporary fairy story with universal romantic themes, impeccable hairstyles, and a wardrobe filled with Prada and backward Kangol caps. Similarly, American audiences have enthusiastically received The Crown.

“I think the reason why Love Story resonates, particularly with Gen Z women, is that it’s still a tale about a young, affluent, stylish, and attractive couple, yet they are not without their flaws,” explained Mika Proctor, an 18-year-old student.

An early episode hints that Bessette might have followed The Rules, a controversial dating guide from the 1990s that advised women to let men lead the chase. Even though it’s clear the couple ends up together, her elusive approach to dating has been viewed as indicative of pre-digital age romance by some fans.

Similarly, moments of relatability occur: disputes over loading the dishwasher, choosing what to watch on TV, and dealing with in-laws. “It’s a reminder that no matter your background, relationships are always challenging,” Proctor added.

Bryan, who was also new to the story, believes its success reflects a broader trend in media consumption.

“Releasing the show weekly instead of all at once has proven effective,” he stated. “It seems television producers have realized that releasing an entire series at once can cause it to fade from public discussion rather quickly.”

And knowing the ending doesn’t detract from its appeal. “In fact, the predictability might even enhance it,” he suggested. While their demise is acknowledged early on, the intrigue lies in the journey there.

“This isn’t your typical highbrow drama,” he concluded, comparing it to popular series like Succession. “Most prestigious dramas are somber reflections on politics or society. Love Story, in contrast, is unabashedly sentimental and doesn’t pretend to be anything else than a visually appealing show.”