The History Channel has greenlit an eight-hour mini-series on The Kennedy Dynasty that will premiere in 2011.

The Kennedys — patterned after the 1972 film The Godfather – will tell the story of America’s most storied political family through personal family fables and iconic national events; including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the civil rights struggle, and the family’s rumored connected to the Irish mob.

“History is thrilled to embark on this new adventure. As a network, we are always seeking groundbreaking ways to tell stories — our vision is to own history everywhere. Given the enormous appeal and success of historically-based scripted series, it is a logical next step for us,” Nancy Dubuc, the network’s president & general manager, said in a statement Monday. “The Kennedy family, from every angle, has always fascinated our viewers — they have touched so many key moments in history and are one of the most iconic families in the world.”