Netflix Crowns Fassbender as Joe Kennedy in Epic Dynasty Series

Olivia Bennett, 10/21/2025Netflix's new series "Kennedy," starring Michael Fassbender as Joseph Kennedy Sr., explores the iconic political dynasty's rise from outsiders to American royalty. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s, it promises a blend of family drama and complex political narratives, highlighting themes of wealth and power.

The timing couldn't be more calculated. As "The Crown" takes its final curtain call (and what a run it's been), Netflix clearly sees an opening. But this isn't just another attempt to replicate past glory — this is something altogether more intriguing.

"Kennedy" — such a deceptively simple title for such an ambitious undertaking — draws its narrative backbone from Fredrik Logevall's "JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956." Behind the camera, showrunner Sam Shaw (the creative mind who gave us "Manhattan" and "Masters of Sex") teams up with director Thomas Vinterberg, whose European sensibilities should add just the right dash of sophistication to this quintessentially American saga.

The official logline promises to unveil "the intimate lives, loves, rivalries and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history." And honestly? In today's landscape of increasingly fragmented entertainment, there's something deliciously appealing about diving back into a truly epic American narrative.

Let's talk about Fassbender for a moment. The two-time Oscar nominee brings exactly the kind of magnetic presence needed to portray Joe Sr. — a man who practically wrote the playbook on transforming outsider status into political gold. Fresh off his television debut in "The Agency," Fassbender seems poised to dominate the small screen with the same intensity that made "Steve Jobs" and "12 Years a Slave" so compelling.

The 1930s setting feels particularly resonant as we head into 2025. With conversations about wealth, power, and political influence dominating headlines, the story of how Joe and Rose Kennedy navigated their rise from Irish Catholic outsiders to American royalty carries an almost eerie relevance.

Production firepower? Oh, they've got that covered. The roster reads like an industry dream team — Eric Roth, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping. Netflix isn't just dipping a toe in here; they're diving headfirst into the deep end.

And while some might question whether we need another Kennedy story... well, consider this: Joe Kennedy Sr.'s journey from SEC chairman to U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, set against the looming shadow of World War II, offers the kind of complex political drama that makes most contemporary political series look like amateur hour.

The promise of exploring the dynamic between "rebellious second son Jack" and his golden-boy older brother suggests depths of family drama that Shakespeare would've killed to write. Add in Netflix's track record with historical epics (think "The Empress" meets "The Crown"), and you've got something that could redefine prestige television for the streaming era.

Sometimes the stars just align. With streaming services battling for supremacy and audiences hungry for substantive storytelling, "Kennedy" might just be the right story at exactly the right moment. Now we just have to wait and see if they can stick the landing.

Netflix's latest power play might just be its most audacious yet. In a move that's already setting tongues wagging across Hollywood, the streaming giant has announced an eight-episode series diving into the depths of America's most captivating political dynasty — with Michael Fassbender taking on the towering role of Joseph Kennedy Sr.The timing couldn't be more calculated. As "The Crown" takes its final curtain call (and what a run it's been), Netflix clearly sees an opening. But this isn't just another attempt to replicate past glory — this is something altogether more intriguing."Kennedy" — such a deceptively simple title for such an ambitious undertaking — draws its narrative backbone from Fredrik Logevall's "JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956." Behind the camera, showrunner Sam Shaw (the creative mind who gave us "Manhattan" and "Masters of Sex") teams up with director Thomas Vinterberg, whose European sensibilities should add just the right dash of sophistication to this quintessentially American saga.The official logline promises to unveil "the intimate lives, loves, rivalries and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history." And honestly? In today's landscape of increasingly fragmented entertainment, there's something deliciously appealing about diving back into a truly epic American narrative.Let's talk about Fassbender for a moment. The two-time Oscar nominee brings exactly the kind of magnetic presence needed to portray Joe Sr. — a man who practically wrote the playbook on transforming outsider status into political gold. Fresh off his television debut in "The Agency," Fassbender seems poised to dominate the small screen with the same intensity that made "Steve Jobs" and "12 Years a Slave" so compelling.The 1930s setting feels particularly resonant as we head into 2025. With conversations about wealth, power, and political influence dominating headlines, the story of how Joe and Rose Kennedy navigated their rise from Irish Catholic outsiders to American royalty carries an almost eerie relevance.Production firepower? Oh, they've got that covered. The roster reads like an industry dream team — Eric Roth, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping. Netflix isn't just dipping a toe in here; they're diving headfirst into the deep end.And while some might question whether we need another Kennedy story... well, consider this: Joe Kennedy Sr.'s journey from SEC chairman to U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, set against the looming shadow of World War II, offers the kind of complex political drama that makes most contemporary political series look like amateur hour.The promise of exploring the dynamic between "rebellious second son Jack" and his golden-boy older brother suggests depths of family drama that Shakespeare would've killed to write. Add in Netflix's track record with historical epics (think "The Empress" meets "The Crown"), and you've got something that could redefine prestige television for the streaming era.Sometimes the stars just align. With streaming services battling for supremacy and audiences hungry for substantive storytelling, "Kennedy" might just be the right story at exactly the right moment. Now we just have to wait and see if they can stick the landing.