The forthcoming Netflix drama series “Kennedy” will explore the renowned political family’s history from 1931 to 1944, though the iconic Boston accent may not be as prominent.
Nick Robinson, who portrays Joe Kennedy Jr., the elder brother of JFK who was initially being prepared for a presidential run before being killed in World War II, shared, “We decided early on to minimize the Boston accent. It’s subtle. The accent has evolved over time, originally a mid-Atlantic upper-class accent, now more aligned with what modern audiences associate with working-class Boston.”
Robinson found preparing for the role to be an educational experience. “I was familiar with the Kennedy family, but not much about Joseph Kennedy Jr., so it was interesting to delve into his life and legacy,” he remarked at the premiere of his new Netflix romantic comedy “Voicemails for Isabelle.”
Laura Donnelly, portraying matriarch Rose in the eight-part series “Kennedy,” explained that she and Michael Fassbender, playing patriarch Joe Sr., initially worked on adopting the couple’s accents. “When Michael and I got to the set, we had already practiced the accents,” Donnelly said at the “Sugar” Season 2 premiere in Los Angeles. “Then we learned that the overall approach would be to tone it down. We were unsure how to adjust.”
There was no requirement to completely drop the accents. “Their accent was fashioned in a very aspirational manner, so maintaining a reference to it is important,” Donnelly noted. “They had nine children, and we didn’t want the younger ones to struggle with that accent. A balance was necessary, allowing the kids to have a general accent while Michael and I used more distinct ones, creating a blend.”
The series draws inspiration from Fredrik Logevall’s book “JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956.”
Donnelly also expressed her thoughts on the challenge of portraying the legendary matriarch. “Being Irish, I feel fortunate not to carry the weight of American expectations regarding the Kennedys,” she said.
She added, “I try to avoid external pressures and focus on portraying a real woman.”
As part of her preparation, Donnelly viewed interviews of Rose later in life. Rose passed away in 1995 at the age of 104. “I’ve grown to admire her greatly,” she said. “Her resilience and grace are remarkable.”
