Paul Anthony Kelly went to great lengths to prepare for his role as John F. Kennedy Jr. in the new FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. The 37-year-old Canadian actor says he made sure to study every detail about the late public figure before stepping onto the set.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Florida Man star Kelly shared that he listened to JFK Jr. narrate his father’s 1956 book, Profiles in Courage, every single day before filming. The audiobook became a key part of his daily routine.
“I would listen to that every day before getting to set,” Kelly said during his conversation with PEOPLE. He explained that he would practice breathing exercises and then repeat the words after hearing JFK Jr.’s voice. This helped him understand the tone and rhythm of how Kennedy spoke.
Kelly said one of his biggest goals was to get the “vocals down.” Since John F. Kennedy Jr. was well documented, the actor had many resources to study. Still, he admitted that he did not have much time between getting cast and starting production in New York.
“The whole prep process was very full-on from the moment I was cast,” he told PEOPLE. He added that he had to quickly “do deep dives” and learn everything he could about JFK Jr.’s life.
The preparation did not stop at listening to recordings. Kelly worked closely with a dialect coach, an acting coach, and even a physical trainer. He also followed a meal plan to match the look of the famous American figure, who was once named PEOPLE’s 1988 Sexiest Man Alive.
The new series, streaming on Hulu and airing on FX, tells the story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, played by Sarah Pidgeon. The show is inspired by the book Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller. It focuses on the couple’s romance, secret 1996 wedding, and the challenges of living in the public eye.
Kelly said he feels both nervous and excited for audiences to see the series. “The whole experience was like lightning in a bottle,” he shared. He added that playing someone so beloved in his first major production is something he does not take lightly.
The first three episodes of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette are now streaming, with new episodes airing every Thursday night.
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