5. The soundtrack
The series’ soundtrack has been nothing less than a total bop for viewers. GQ rightly dubbed it “the best ’90s mixtape on TV“.
Stretching from ’90s clubland tracks from the likes of CeCe Peniston and En Vogue to slightly more esoteric and ethereal tracks from Cocteau Twins and Björk, it has immersed viewers in the energy and creativity of the time. And while it’s unlikely that the couple really danced around in their underwear to Pulp’s Common People – as in one scene – viewers noted how perfectly the songs have amplified the story’s emotions. “The Fiona Apple needle drop in this week’s Love Story absolutely winded me,” said one person on X, of the song Sullen Girl, played in a scene at the end of episode seven where Bassette is struggling with her sudden notoriety, locked in the gilded cage of the couple’s loft apartment.
6. The controversy
Ryan Murphy is no stranger to creating a furore with his shows – and proving the old adage that all publicity is good publicity. And Love Story has been dogged by controversy – and creating headlines – from its inception. In early June 2025, when Murphy posted the first-look images of Kelly and Pidgeon as the iconic couple on a now-deleted Instagram post, the fashion press was aghast with how cheap they looked.
Later that same month, Jack Schlossberg, nephew of JFK Jr, accused the production of “profiting off” his uncle’s life “in a grotesque way”. Then once the series started airing, a storm brewed around the depiction of JFK Jr’s ex-girlfriend, actor Daryl Hannah, who was portrayed variously as needy, insensitive, and partial to cocaine. I love this show,” says Bonanne, “but I cannot defend the edit they gave her character”.
Hannah wrote a guest essay for The New York Times – entitled “How can Love Story get away with this?” – and said: “The series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John”. She also revealed: “In the weeks since the series aired, I have received many hostile and even threatening messages from viewers who seem to believe the portrayal is factual.” “Did Daryl Hannah’s op-ed bring more people to the show?” says MacNicol. “I don’t know. Controversy always puts eyes on something, but good for her for speaking up.”
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