Screenwriter Connor Hines has opened up about his journey in creating the new anthology series "American Love Story," which focuses on the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. The series marks the first installment in producer Ryan Murphy’s anthology exploring iconic American romances.

Hines, who grew up immersed in the Kennedy legacy through his grandparents’ reverence for the family, first developed a fascination with the Kennedys around 2020. He traced the family history from patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. through subsequent generations, eventually honing in on John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s courtship. According to Hines, what drew him was the contrast between the affectionate remembrances of friends and family and the often reductive, sometimes misogynistic portrayals that had persisted in public discourse. He was motivated to craft a more nuanced and humanizing narrative about the couple.

Despite his passion for the story, Hines initially believed his career was not yet at a level where such a project would gain traction. That changed following the announcement that Ryan Murphy would produce "American Love Story," with the first season dedicated to the Kennedys’ romance. After submitting a writing sample, Hines was invited to meet with Color Force producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson, known for their work on acclaimed projects such as "The People v. O.J. Simpson" and "Say Nothing." They recommended he present his vision directly to Ryan Murphy.

Hines described this meeting as a defining moment—he had long admired Murphy’s work since the late 1990s series "Popular," which he cited for its groundbreaking approach to storytelling and inclusion of underrepresented characters. Over the ensuing three months, Hines collaborated closely with Simpson and Jacobson to refine his pitch, treating the process as an intense learning experience in narrative development and production.

Ultimately, Murphy offered Hines the opportunity to write the series. Despite initial feelings of impostor syndrome, Hines embraced the role, recognizing the importance and responsibility of telling a story that had deeply personal significance for him and his family. Unfortunately, Hines’s grandparents passed away before the project materialized, but he expressed confidence they would have been proud to see his vision realized.

Hines reflected on the production experience as surpassing his expectations, noting its contrast with the frequent setbacks he had witnessed in his nearly decade-long career navigating the entertainment industry’s development process. He described "American Love Story" as a project where he truly found his place, fulfilling a long-held creative and personal ambition.