Now the Kennedys get The Crown treatment: Netflix's latest blockbuster series will 'uncover intimate truths' about America's most famous political family in historical drama starring Michael Fassbender

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They're America's most famous political family - with a dramatic history beset by tragedy and scandal.

It was only a matter of time, therefore, before the Kennedy family received The Crown treatment with their own blockbuster series on Netflix.

'Kennedy', as the series will be known, promises to uncover the 'intimate truths' at the heart of the dynasty, and will feature, of course, the 35th US President John F. Kennedy (JFK).

It will star two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender, 48, as Joe Kennedy Snr, with the rest of the cast, and the release date, yet to be announced.

Bosses will no doubt be hoping that the series follows in the footsteps of The Crown's success. 

The series fictionalising the lives and fortunes of the royal family was watched by 73 million households in 2020 alone.

Inspired by Frederik Logevall's book, JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century 1917-1956, 'Kennedy' will begin long before any member of the family entered the White House.

Viewers will be introduced to the family in the 1930s with the story of JFK's parents, Joseph and Rosemary, and their nine children: Joseph Jr., John F., Rosemary, Kathleen, Eunice, Patricia, Robert F., Jean, and Edward M.

The Kennedys are set to receive The Crown treatment in a new series on Netflix. John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie are pictured in 1953

The first series will explore the family's ascent to power and fame, most notably through their 'rebellious second son Jack', or, as he is better known, John F. Kennedy. 

It will depict how a young John 'struggled to escape the shadow of his golden-boy older brother' and forge a successful career path in his own right. 

JFK's older brother Joe had been the family's first hope for the presidential nomination before he was killed tragically killed in a plane explosion over East Suffolk in 1944. 

Indeed, the family faced such misfortunes that, over the years, speculation has grown about a potential 'Kennedy curse', said to affect all the descendants of Joseph Kennedy Snr. 

Most famously, JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald as he rode in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, in 1963. 

Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy, JFK's younger brother, was also assassinated and was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, after announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. 

There was also the Chappaquiddick car crash in 1969, when Senator Ted Kennedy drove his vehicle off a bridge on Massachusetts' Chappaquiddick Island, killing Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old campaign strategist who worked for RFK. 

The upcoming series will be produced by Sam Shaw, writer of Manhattan and Masters Of Sex. 

It will star two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender , 48, as Joe Kennedy Snr. Pictured in April

The series will begin in the 1930s with the story of JFK's parents, Joseph and Rosemary, and their nine children: Joseph Jr., John F., Rosemary, Kathleen, Eunice, Patricia, Robert F., Jean, and Edward M (pictured in the 1930s)

Speaking of the new release, Shaw said: 'The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology - somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful. 

'But Fredrik Logevall's stunning, nuanced biography pulls a veil on the human strivings and burdens behind the myth, revealing as much about our present moment, how we got here and where we're going, as about the Kennedys themselves.'

Netflix said: 'Kennedy reveals the intimate lives, loves, rivalries and tragedies that shaped the most iconic dynasty in modern history, and helped create the world we live in today. 

'Beginning in the 1930s, the first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including the rebellious second son, Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden-boy older brother.'

The Crown, which ran from 2016 to 2023, saw 60 successful episodes across six seasons, documenting the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Beginning with the late monarch's marriage to Prince Phillip, the series also covered landmark events such as the death of Princess Diana, and Prince William starting university at St Andrews and meeting his future wife, Kate Middleton. 

Reports have claimed the first season alone cost £97.1million to produce, according to the BBC. 

Despite enormous success, the programme was accused of 'sensationalising' personal events for the royal family. These included the decision to portray intimate and personal events, like Princess Diana's car chase before she died in 1997. The actual moment of the crash, however, was not shown. 

US President John F Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Minutes later the President was assassinated

Jackie Kennedy, JFK and their daughter Caroline are pictured at their summer home in 1960

Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, previously accused the programme of being 'crude and hurtful'.

Dame Judi, 87, who has played Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, told The Times the series risked damaging the monarchy. The Oscar-winning actress blamed it for 'crude sensationalism' and blurring fact and fiction.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major criticised a scene which showed him having a conversation with then Prince Charles about the possibility of the Queen abdicating as 'malicious nonsense'.

The fourth series of the drama was criticised for not doing enough to tell viewers it was a work of fiction.

The streaming giant was forced to add a disclaimer to its trailer for season five saying it was a 'fictional dramatisation… inspired by real events'.

A release date for Kennedy has not yet been confirmed.