‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Stars Recount How Nicole Kidman Stayed in Character on Set: “Kind of Thrilling — and Scary”

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Four years have passed since the debut of “Nine Perfect Strangers,” and I can’t contain my excitement as we welcome back the enigmatic figure of Nicole Kidman’s character, Masha, in this upcoming second season! A fresh group of guests is set to arrive, ready for a new journey of self-discovery.

In this chilly mountain adventure, I find myself among a group of seekers, including Christine Baranski, Henry Golding, Murray Bartlett, Annie Murphy, Mark Strong, King Princess, and Dolly de Leon, all drawn to the tranquil retreat run by Masha.

At the Los Angeles debut of the show on Thursday, Kidman, who is also one of its executive producers, revealed that she hadn’t originally intended for a second season. The first season was adapted from Liane Moriarty’s book with the same title, and now, the second season seems to be emerging from creative inspiration instead.

As a gamer, when Hulu approached me with the proposition for a second season after the unprecedented success of the first, I found myself questioning, “How on earth could we top that?” But then I realized, with our incredibly talented cast, it was more like, “Alright, let’s see how we can ensure each character gets their moment to shine while maintaining balance and distinctiveness.” This conversation took place during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite some changes, one consistent factor was Nicole Kidman consistently playing her character Masha on set as if it were genuine. Executive producer Bruna Papandrea explained this by saying, “She doesn’t meet them beforehand; instead, she enters as Masha first encountering them, which is how she acted in the initial season. I believe this is because they are all eagerly anticipating her arrival, as their characters are too, in both seasons.

Bartlett mentioned, “Indeed, when on set, Nicole isn’t present, but Masha is, which can be both exciting and intimidating. Not every time, but mostly on set, Masha stayed in character, making it wonderful for us all; it really helped to get into the groove.” Strong reminisced about how “she would seem to float in and out. After each shot, we’d all gather and chat, and she’d disappear. Later, she’d reappear as if she was a magical unicorn from another realm.

Golding noted that Kidman initially made an effort to stay in character as Masha, but found everyone too friendly. She remarked, “I kind of wanted to socialize with these people,” so she began spending time with the group on the couch. However, she maintained an air of mystery, which actually benefited everyone involved.

During a brief question-and-answer session after the premiere, Kidman expressed her intention to reprise her role in the series despite her busy calendar. She shared with the audience, “I truly enjoy portraying this character because she’s so strong. Many roles I take on are in delicate emotional states. Masha is strength, which makes her intriguing. Additionally, the opportunity to manipulate the entire ensemble as a puppeteer is what’s captivating.

Nine Perfect Strangers starts streaming May 21 on Hulu.

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2025-05-16 20:55