Star Talent Cast for The Kennedys

NEW YORK: The eight-part drama The Kennedys, for AETN’s HISTORY channel in the U.S. and Canada’s History Television, will feature Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes in starring roles as the president and first lady.

Set to premiere in 2011, the 8×1-hour mini-series features Kinnear (As Good As it Gets, Little Miss Sunshine) as President John F. Kennedy. Holmes (Batman Begins, The Ice Storm) will play First Lady Jackie Kennedy. Also on the talent roster are Tom Wilkinson (In The Bedroom, John Adams) as Ambassador Joe Kennedy Sr. and Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan, Enemy of the State) as Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

Produced by Muse Entertainment for AETN and History Television, The Kennedys comes from the team behind the hit series 24, creators Stephen Kronish and Joel Surnow. Shooting is set to begin in June and will continue through September.

"There’s an endless fascination with the Kennedy story, and it’s one that continues to resonate with people around the world," said Christine Shipton, the senior VP of drama and factual content at Canwest Broadcasting. "As the network’s very first scripted drama series, we’re excited to bring this prolific piece of American history to life with our partners at AETN."