Nicole Kidman’s new Netflix series, The Perfect Couple, has made notable adjustments from Elin Hilderbrand’s original novel, including a significant change intended to distinguish it from one of Kidman’s previous roles.
In the series, Eve Hewson portrays a character named Amelia. This differs from Hilderbrand’s book, where the character is named Celeste—a name also used by Kidman’s character in HBO’s hit series Big Little Lies. Showrunner Jenna Lamia revealed during the show’s red carpet premiere in Hollywood on September 4 that this name change was made to avoid confusion with Kidman’s previous role.
“It was a five-year development process for various reasons, so it did go through a lot of different forms, and it was closer to the book early on,” Lamia, known for her work on Good Girls and Awkward., explained to The Hollywood Reporter. “And then this wonderful director Susanne Bier came on, and her influence shifted some things, and when we had cast attached that shifted some things.”
While the change from Celeste to Amelia might seem minor, it was implemented to ensure a clear distinction from Kidman’s previous character. Lamia noted that despite the change, it was a relatively small adjustment to avoid any potential confusion.
Hilderbrand, who gave her approval for the modifications, expressed that she was more focused on the quality of the television adaptation than on strict adherence to the book. “I wanted them to make the best possible television show. I wasn’t worried about how they changed the book,” Hilderbrand told THR. “I just wanted it to be excellent television.”
In addition to the name change, Hilderbrand was involved in the casting process. She revealed to PEOPLE that Liev Schreiber was her top choice to play Kidman’s onscreen husband. “I was a huge Ray Donovan fan. He’s one of my favorite actors,” Hilderbrand said. “I sent my wish to the showrunner, and a few weeks later, she told me I might get my wish, and I was hoping that’s what she meant.”
The Perfect Couple features Kidman as Greer, a novelist whose idyllic plans for her son’s wedding are disrupted when a body is discovered on the beach on the morning of the ceremony. Hewson’s character, Amelia, is Greer’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law, while Billy Howle plays Greer’s son. The cast also includes Dakota Fanning, Meghann Fahy, Jack Reynor, Ishaan Khatter, and Isabelle Adjani.
All six episodes of The Perfect Couple are now available for streaming on Netflix.