Michael Fassbender to Play Joseph Kennedy Sr. in New Netflix Series

‘Kennedy’ will explore the lives of one of America’s most recognizable political dynasties.

Actor Michael Fassbender attends 'Meet The Actor' at Apple Store Soho on August 7, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Netflix has ordered a new series about the enigmatic Kennedy family, with Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender set to portray the family patriarch, Joseph Kennedy Sr.

The historical drama, aptly titled “Kennedy,” will examine the untold story of one of the most recognizable political dynasties in American history.

The eight-episode series, co-produced by Chernin Entertainment, is based on historian Fredrik Logevall’s 2020 book, “JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956,” which examines the first 39 years of former president John F. Kennedy’s life.

“‘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,” the official logline reads.

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

Executive producer Sam Shaw also serves as the showrunner for the series, which is directed by Thomas Vinterberg, known for his work on “The Hunt” (2012) and “Another Round” (2020).

Shaw told Tudum, the official companion website for Netflix, that he was “thrilled to be able to explore” the Kennedy family’s saga.

“The story of the Kennedys is the closest we have to American mythology—somewhere between Shakespeare and The Bold and the Beautiful,” Shaw said.

“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.”

U.S. President-elect John Fitzgerald Kennedy (R) alongside first lady Jacqueline Kennedy delivers his victory speech on Nov. 9, 1960, at the National Guard Armory in Hyannis Port, Mass., after being elected 35th President of the United States, while members of the Kennedy family (from L to R) his brother Robert Kennedy, his father Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., his campaign manager and brother-in-law Sargent Shriver and his mother Rose Kennedy look on. AFP via Getty Images

Joseph Kennedy Sr. was a prominent businessman who held several government roles throughout his career.

He was appointed the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1934 by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt and also served as the United States ambassador to the UK from 1938 to 1940.

In the 1960s, the family patriarch also helped launch the political careers of his three sons: former President John F. Kennedy; former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; and former Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy.

Netflix has not yet announced an official release date for “Kennedy” or any additional cast details for the production.

Known for portraying intense, emotionally complex characters, Fassbender, 48, is perhaps best recognized for playing Magneto in the “X-Men” film franchise.

The German-Irish actor earned Oscar nods for his performances in the 2013 historical drama “12 Years a Slave” and the 2015 biopic “Steve Jobs.”

He is also known for starring in the 2009 satirical war film “Inglourious Basterds” alongside actors Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Eli Roth.