Katie Holmes reprises her role as Jackie Kennedy in Reelz’s “The Kennedys” sequel series “After Camelot,” putting her portrayal of the former first lady on screen close to the same time as Natalie Portman’s Oscar-courting turn in Pablo Larrain’s “Jackie.” That’s something Holmes says is “exciting.”
“It’s a testament to how amazing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was, and how much she meant to our country,” Holmes said at the Television Critics Association press tour on Friday. “We are infatuated with her.”
“I think Natalie did an incredible job, and I’m glad that we both had the opportunity to interpret this character and bring her to life,” she continued.
Holmes also pointed out that “After Camelot” takes place during a different period in Jackie Kennedy’s life, focusing on 1968 to the present.
“You can watch both and get something different,” Holmes said.
Based on the book “After Camelot” from biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli,” the miniseries from director Jon Cassar and writers Stephen Kronish and Sandra Chwialkowska also stars Matthew Perry in a rare dramatic turn as Ted Kennedy.
“I took this job because it scared me,” said Perry, who is best known for his work on TV sitcoms like “Friends” and “The Odd Couple” on CBS. “I read the first four scripts and the portrayal scared me, there was a lot of emotion and tragedy to play.”
“It’s by far the most challenging role I’ve ever played,” he said. “Some days I didn’t even want to look at it, I was just too scared of it.”