Sasha Pieterse Will Play Rosemary Kennedy in a Psychological Thriller About the Kennedy Family’s Darkest Secret
Sasha Pieterse is taking on one of the most heartbreaking real-life stories in American history. The Pretty Little Liars star has signed on to lead Rosemary, a psychological thriller that will tell the story of Rosemary Kennedy, the sister of President John F. Kennedy, from her own point of view.
The film aims to shine a light on a woman who has often been reduced to a tragic footnote in the Kennedy family legacy. Instead, Rosemary will put her at the center of the story and explore the life, struggles, and devastating circumstances that shaped her future.
Rosemary Kennedy was the sister of JFK as well as senators Robert F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy. Reports from her early life indicate that she experienced developmental delays, and as she entered adulthood, concerns about her behavior grew.
At age 23, her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., arranged for her to undergo a lobotomy, a controversial procedure that left her permanently incapacitated.
Following the operation, Rosemary spent much of the remainder of her life under care at St. Coletta, an institution in Wisconsin. She remained separated from many members of her family for extended periods and lived largely out of the public eye until her death from natural causes in 2005 at the age of 86.
The film is being developed with the involvement of legendary producer Mike Medavoy, whose credits include Black Swan and Shutter Island. Writing and directing duties will be handled by Cory Todd Hughes and Adrian Speckert, whose previous screenwriting projects include Under Fire starring Dylan Sprouse and Foster starring Ron Perlman.
According to the filmmakers, the project will “dramatize Rosemary Kennedy’s struggle with mental health, the devastating decision by her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., to subject her to a lobotomy at age 23, and the long–lasting consequences of that choice.”
The movie draws inspiration from the All That’s Interesting article Rosemary Kennedy, JFK’s Sister Who Was Lobotomized And Locked Away, using that history as the foundation for what sounds like a much more intimate and character-driven story.
Medavoy explained the creative approach behind the film, saying: “This film takes a story that has long lived in the shadows of history and places Rosemary at the center, not as a footnote in a political dynasty, but as a young woman with hopes, fears, and a voice that was never truly heard.”
Pieterse was equally drawn to the project’s perspective, saying: “Rosemary’s story has been told in fragments. What drew me to this project is how it explores her as a person, not a symbol, but a fully realized human being with dreams and vulnerabilities.”
The filmmakers also emphasized that audiences shouldn’t expect a traditional historical drama. Hughes and Speckert said:
“This isn’t just a historical biopic. It’s a psychological journey told through Rosemary’s eyes, one that challenges the audience to reckon with how we define agency, dignity, and identity.”
That approach could make Rosemary a particularly interesting watch. Rather than simply revisiting historical events, the film appears focused on immersing audiences in Rosemary’s experience and examining the emotional and psychological impact of decisions that altered the course of her life forever.
Pieterse has become best known for playing Alison DiLaurentis in Pretty Little Liars and its spinoff Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. She also appeared in 2024’s The Image of You.
With a talented creative team attached and a fascinating perspective on a tragic chapter of American history, Rosemary is shaping up to be a film worth keeping an eye on.
Source: Deadline