Kennedys Drama Finds U.S., U.K. Home

LONDON/ALBUQUERQUE: The eight-part drama The Kennedys will make its world premiere on ReelzChannel in the U.S., after HISTORY and Showtime decided to pass on the biopic, while the U.K. debut will be on the HISTORY channel.

The movie event recreates the political crises that John F. Kennedy dealt with in the early days of his presidency including the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and the Civil Rights Movement. It was filmed in Toronto and produced by Canadian independent studio Muse Entertainment Enterprises, with an all star lineup led by Greg Kinnear as John F. Kennedy, Barry Pepper as Robert F. Kennedy, Katie Holmes as Jacqueline Kennedy and Tom Wilkinson OBE as Joseph Kennedy Sr.

"We believe in the business we are committed to—movies, the celebrities making them and how and why they influence our cultural universe. If that means defending the right for well told and important stories to be seen, then so be it, we can do that," said ReelzChannel’s CEO, Stan E. Hubbard. "We’re not beholden to anyone, we are here for the viewers and we are here for the movie and artistic community as well. As an independent, we have the freedom few networks enjoy."

AETN UK’s managing director, Tom Davidson, said: “Securing the U.K. premiere of The Kennedys is a major coup for the HISTORY channel.  Bringing to life the story of America’s most iconic family, the drama is a bold and epic account of the Kennedy dynasty and we are delighted that viewers in the U.K. will get to see it on HISTORY first.”

Michael Prupas, the president and CEO of Muse Entertainment, commented: “The production of The Kennedys has been a labor of love and commitment for the many people involved in its realization. Anyone who watches the show will agree that the Kennedy Family emerges from our treatment as a great American Family, who made a great contribution to the world and to their country, but were beset by epic tragedies.”