Eve Hewson as Amelia Sacks hugging a laughing Meghann Fahy as Merritt Monaco with the opening credits dance scene from The Perfect Couple behind them The Perfect Couple‘s core mystery might revolve around a seaside murder, but the show’s unique opening credits dance sequence has also puzzled viewers, prompting the cast and crew to provide some behind-the-scenes insight into how, exactly, the moment came to be. Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Perfect Couple centers on the Winbury family’s members as they prepare to host a wedding for Benji Winbury (Billy Howle) and Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) at their Nantucket estate. Nicole Kidman, who plays novelist and matriarch Greer Garrison Winbury, leads The Perfect Couple‘s cast of characters.

When Amelia’s maid of honor, Merritt Monaco (Meghann Fahy), is killed hours before the wedding, Greer fears that her family’s reputation may be at stake — even if her useless husband, Tag (Liev Schreiber), is more concerned with getting high and playing golf. Although The Perfect Couple‘s ending centers on the big reveal of who killed Merritt, the limited series takes a darkly funny — and sometimes campy — approach to its story. The Netflix show might be Nicole Kidman’s best Big Little Lies replacement yet, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously, as evidenced by the opening credits dance.

The Perfect Couple’s Cast Didn’t Want To Do The Dance – And That Makes It Better

Nicole Kidman Claimed Her Dress Was Too Tight To Dance In – But Director Susanne Bier Was Insistent

The cast of The Perfect Couple dance with director Suzanne Bier Dakota Fanning dances in The Perfect Couple's opening credits Aerial view of The Perfect Couple opening credits dance sequence The Perfect Couple cast dancing in the opening credits sequence Liev Schreiber and the cast celebrate after The Perfect Couple's opening credits dance The cast of The Perfect Couple dance with director Suzanne Bier Dakota Fanning dances in The Perfect Couple's opening credits Aerial view of The Perfect Couple opening credits dance sequence The Perfect Couple cast dancing in the opening credits sequence Liev Schreiber and the cast celebrate after The Perfect Couple's opening credits dance

When first presented with the idea, The Perfect Couple‘s cast was hesitant to partake in the show’s flashmob-style opener. Instead of opening with a wistful, mournful or mysterious tune, the opening credits of all six episodes of The Perfect Couple are set to Meghan Trainor’s “Criminals.” Using the first episode’s beach party as a backdrop, the show’s key cast members, from Dakota Fanning to Liev Schreiber, join in on the fun. Susanne Bier (The Night Manager), who directed the limited series, recalled wanting to add a dance-filled dream sequence to the show (via The Hollywood Reporter).

…Bier was determined to film the sequence, which was choreographed by Charm La’Donna.

Although that idea didn’t pan out, the idea of an epic dance sequence stuck with Bier. “I felt that the title sequence needed [to suggest] that the audience is allowed to have fun with this show,” the Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker explained. According to Bier, everyone, except for Schreiber, initially refused to partake in the dance number. When the SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupted filming, The Perfect Couple cast and crew found themselves in a time crunch, but Bier was determined to film the sequence, which was choreographed by Charm La’Donna.

Bier recalled the cast forming an anti-dance WhatsApp group, while Kidman claimed her party dress was too tight to dance in. Even so, Bier didn’t back down. As viewers can see in the 45-second snippet that precedes each episode, the cast members seem to be having a lot of fun. Needless to say, this behind-the-scenes reveal about The Perfect Couple‘s opening credits only makes the campy, ridiculous sequence more delightful.

The Perfect Couple’s Dance Is A Perfect Way To Start The Show

The Opening Sequence Gives Viewers Permission To Have Fun With The Perfect Couple

Nicole Kidman dancing in the opening credits of The Perfect Couple

The Perfect Couple‘s opening credits dance sequence is the perfect way to set the show’s tone. Unlike other murder mystery series or true-crime dramas, The Perfect Couple is TV’s version of a beach read — it’s darkly funny and, sometimes, just plain funny, especially when Kidman’s icy matriarch is giving her opinion on sandals or hydrangeas. At times, the reputation-obsessed Winbury family has such a disconnect from the emotional, tragic elements of Merritt’s death, and the humor also underscores this out-of-touch demeanor.

All six episodes of The Perfect Couple are streaming on Netflix.

Set to Trainor’s “Criminal,” one of many fun tunes off The Perfect Couple‘s soundtrack, the dance number is full of unbridled joy. Even if the actors were reluctant to participate, that doesn’t come through at all. Instead, it’s a nice reminder of the people behind the show’s wild characters. Most of all, the glossy, campy dance number in The Perfect Couple‘s opener gives viewers permission to have fun.