The Kennedys (2011– )

The story of the most fabled political family in American history, told in a manner similar to The Godfather: a manipulative, egocentric father determined to live out his own ambitions ... See full summary »

Stars:

Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Katie Holmes

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 10 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Greg Kinnear	...	Jack Kennedy (8 episodes, 2011)
Barry Pepper	...	Bobby Kennedy (8 episodes, 2011)
Katie Holmes	...	Jackie Kennedy (8 episodes, 2011)
Tom Wilkinson	...	Joe Kennedy Sr. (8 episodes, 2011)
Diana Hardcastle	...	Rose Kennedy (8 episodes, 2011)
Kristin Booth	...	Ethel Kennedy (8 episodes, 2011)
Rothaford Gray	...	Agent Abraham Bolden (5 episodes, 2011)
Rachel Wilson	...	Michelle (4 episodes, 2011)
Serge Houde	...	Sam Giancana (4 episodes, 2011)
Ava Preston	...	Caroline Kennedy (4 episodes, 2011)
Janelle Hutchison	...	Evelyn Lincoln (4 episodes, 2011)
Angela Besharah	...	Ann Gargan (4 episodes, 2011)

Storyline

The story of the most fabled political family in American history, told in a manner similar to The Godfather: a manipulative, egocentric father determined to live out his own ambitions through his sons, who in turn spent their lives dancing to his tune while at the same time trying to stand on their own. This is history through personality - the tangled relationships through which paint a picture of one of the most turbulent periods of the modern age. Viewers will be upstairs at the White House, not in the Cabinet Room. Through iconic events in history - the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the civil rights struggle, the mob connection - viewers will learn about the lesser known, yet critical personal stories.

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Plot Keywords:

cuban missile crisis | white house | bay of pigs | widow | presidential election | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

History Channel [UK] ReelzChannel [us]

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Die Kennedys

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Muse Entertainment Enterprises, Asylum Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White (some sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Greg Kinnear (Kennedy) was only 158-days-old when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

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Goofs

When "Dr. Feelgood" is injecting Jackie Kennedy the camera shows him withdrawing the needle. As the needle exits her skin, you can see it is a flat spring loaded "Special effects" needle and not a real hypodermic needle.

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Connections

Referenced in Maltin on Movies: Water for Elephants (2011)

User Reviews

An engrossing story, well told

A dialogue-driven, eight part drama miniseries charting the rise and fall of the Kennedy family in American politics. The main draw is JFK and the story of his ascendancy and eventual downfall, but it turns out the real star of the show is his father Joe, a character exposed as an utterly ruthless manipulator as the plot unfolds.

I'll admit that the first couple of episodes left me a little cold, depicting a bunch of characters it's difficult to care about at first. Once I was hooked, though, I was hooked, and Joe's hunger for power is every bit as engaging as that of Caesar or Henry VIII. Tom Wilkinson, still best known for his cuddly roles in the likes of THE FULL MONTY, is unrecognisable and outstanding in the role, a true test of his talent as an actor.

Greg Kinnear and Barry Pepper equally shine as the Kennedy brothers, each actor bringing likability to his part without neglecting the various character defects. Katie Holmes is uncanny as Jackie. The historical backdrop is well realised, with such dramas as the Bag of Pigs fiasco, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the civil rights struggle adding plenty of meat to the storyline, and I was alternatively gripped, disgusted, moved and surprised as the story reached its culmination. THE KENNEDYS is a piece of well-made drama and TV at the top of its game.