Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple and The Undoing

Nicole Kidman’s The Perfect Couple has received frequent comparisons to Big Little Lies, but there’s another underrated HBO show that’s also worth exploring. The 57-year-old actress continues to redefine her career, recently leading the cast of 2024’s The Perfect Couple, which has found an extensive audience on Netflix. The show’s narrative and aesthetic are commonly seen compared to HBO’s Big Little Lies, the hit show that saw her co-star with the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and more. But given Kidman’s career of over thirty years, there’s so much more great material to check out.

The Perfect Couple assembles an all-star ensemble for a murder mystery at a wedding, based on the book of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand. Nicole Kidman plays a famous novelist who’s the mother of the groom. The start of the series sees a shocking death put the wedding on pause, resulting in a thrilling. whodunnit. There are plenty of TV shows like The Perfect Couple to watch next, such as The White Lotus or Succession, that see wealthy individuals thrust into high-stakes situations. HBO’s The Undoing stands out as an underappreciated follow-up.

The Undoing Is Nicole Kidman’s Most Underrated TV Show

This Six-Episode HBO Show Flew Under The Radar In 2020

 

Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in The Undoing Nicole Kidman in The Undoing

Nicole Kidman has such a deep filmography that it’s no surprise some of her best work has slipped through the cracks. But 2020’s The Undoing is one of her strongest projects in recent years, and is undoubtedly her most underrated show. It’s a psychological thriller mystery with a similar set-up to The Perfect Couple, featuring an all-star cast around Kidman, including Hugh Grant and the late great Donald Sutherland. With only six episodes, it’s well worth binge-watching after finishing her recent Netflix series.

The Undoing’s Mystery Has A Very Different Feel From The Perfect Couple

The Undoing Is Set In NYC, Creating A Different Atmosphere

Aerial view of The Perfect Couple opening credits dance sequence

In terms of aesthetics, The Perfect Couple has received comparisons to Big Little Lies and The White Lotus due to its beach town setting. All three series surround casts of wealthy characters in a similar atmosphere, and the similarities are easy to note. The Undoing is set in New York City, creating an immediately different vibe for the series, but the characters are similarly wealthy and prominent, adding a lavish quality to the dramatic intrigue. The HBO series may not be as vibrant and colorful, but it’s equally compelling, if not more.

Why The HBO Series Will Appeal To Fans Of Nicole Kidman’s New Mystery Series

The Undoing Is About The Complex Psychology Of Its Characters

HBO’s The Undoing isn’t just a whodunnit that revolves around knowing one singular answer. Sure, it’s filled with compelling red herrings and misdirection, but the series is more about the captivating relationships at play in the mystery thriller genre. It demonstrates how a seemingly perfect life can unfold in an instant, examining the psychological nature of its characters as their lives are drastically altered by a sudden, horrific event. For those who love The Perfect Couple, The Undoing is must-watch television.