The mystery thriller, Nine Perfect Strangers, is about to premiere on the streaming service Hulu. The series is based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty (who also wrote Big Little Lies), and it centers around a group of vacationers who visit a remote health and wellness resort called Tranquillum. However, upon arrival, they soon discover the resort and its owner aren't what they seem.
One of the biggest strengths of the series will be its diverse group of characters, which allowed director Jonathan Levine to handpick an outstanding ensemble cast of actors to bring the roles to life.
Bobby Cannavale
In the series, Cannavale plays Tony Hogburn, a burnt-out man who decides to visit the resort after struggling through a bitter divorce. In real life, however, Cannavale is married to actress Rose Byrne of Bridesmaids and Insidious fame, and he has starred in numerous high-profile projects like I, Tonya, The Irishman, and Vinyl.
Cannavale is also a famed Broadway performer who has been nominated for two Tony Awards for his performances in the plays Mauritius and The Motherf****r With the Hat.
Asher Keddie
To North American audiences, Asher Keddie might not be a familiar face. She had a minor role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine but is largely unknown in the Western Hemisphere. However, to audiences in the Pacific, she's famous for her hit Australian series, Offspring, where she plays the lead role. The series ran for seven years and was rebroadcast in countries around the globe. Additionally, Offspring has also been picked up by Netflix.
In Nine Perfect Strangers, Keddie plays Heather Marconi, a mother struggling to cope after the death of her son. She arrives at the resort with her husband and daughter in hopes of finding a space to heal and recover.
Michael Shannon
In the series, Michael Shannon plays Napoleon Marconi, Heather's husband. After the death of their son, Napoleon had to become the stoic caretaker of his wife and daughter. He felt it was his job to care for them, provide emotional support, and solve their problems; however, inside, he's secretly crumbling, because he himself has no emotional support system. He accompanies his wife and daughter to Tranquillum in hope of finding a way to cope with their grief.
Aside from Nine Perfect Strangers, Michael Shannon is a celebrated actor who has been nominated for two Oscars, a Golden Globe, a Tony, and four SAG awards, winning one. Shannon's decades-long filmography includes films and shows like 8 Mile, Boardwalk Empire, Knives Out, and Fahrenheit 451.
Melvin Gregg
In Nine Perfect Strangers, Gregg plays Ben Chandler, a man who seems to have it all after winning the lottery. However, instantly amassing a fortune completely destroyed his relationship with his family and friends. He visits the resort with the hopes of bettering his deteriorating life.
Audiences will most likely recognize Melvin Gregg from his role in Snowfall after joining the cast in the third season. He's also recently appeared in the Oscar-nominated biopic, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday. Gregg even has a massive social media following, with over 2.7 million followers on Instagram alone.
Samara Weaving
Samara Weaving plays Jessica Chandler, the wife of Ben. Since he won the lottery, Jessica has become obsessed with showing off. She always wanted to be Insta-famous, but now that she has the money to make it happen, she's become toxically shallow, self-obsessed, and vapid. She views a trip to Tranquillum as a great setting for her Insta photos.
Before joining the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers, Samara Weaving had already been growing her presence in Hollywood. Most notably, she was nominated for a SAG award for her role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The film went on to win 81 awards, including two Oscars.
Manny Jacinto
Almost everyone will recognize Manny Jacinto from his breakout role in The Good Place. He quickly became an audience favorite and even developed a large following of fans who had a crush on him.
In Nine Perfect Strangers, Jacinto plays Yao. Yao was previously self-destructive and unhappy with his life, but after meeting Tranquillum's mysterious owner, Yao's future changed forever. He is now employed at the wellness resort, giving him insight into everything that goes on there - both good and bad.
Regina Hall
Veteran actress Regina Hall is best-known for blockbuster comedies like the Scary Movie franchise and Girls Trip. However, her acting resume actually spans decades and includes a wide range of genres, including the popular 90s legal series Ally McBeal and Showtime's Black Monday. In 2018, Hall even became the first Black woman to be awarded the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress thanks to her role in Support the Girls.
In Nine Perfect Strangers, Hall plays Carmel Schneider, a woman who has just been through a bitter divorce. In the book version, her husband approaches her one night and frankly states, "It really hurts me to say this but, the thing is, I’m just not attracted to you anymore.” Carmel visits Tranquillum hoping to rediscover her beauty and sensuality.
Luke Evans
In Nine Perfect Strangers, Luke Evans plays Lars Lee, a man who likes to visit various wellness retreats, constantly seeking to better himself. However, before long it becomes clear that there's an underlying reason why Lee is constantly striving to be a better, different person.
Luke Evans is probably best known for starring in the Fast and Furious franchise as Owen Shaw. He also became one of the first openly LGBTQ actors to star in a major Disney film, portraying Gaston in the 2017 live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Currently, he's starring in the hit thriller series, The Alienist, alongside Dakota Fanning.
Melissa McCarthy
All audiences will surely recognize Melissa McCarthy. The comedy legend singlehandedly stole the show in the $288 million-grossing film Bridesmaids. In fact, at the 84th Academy Awards, McCarthy was even nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. From there, she went on to star in blockbuster hits like Identity Thief and The Heat.
In Nine Perfect Strangers, McCarthy will make the switch from comedy to drama as she portrays Frances Welty, a struggling middle-aged romance novelist. In the show, Welty is depressed after the poor performance of her last book. In fact, her publisher has just refused to print her newest manuscript. Lost, desperate, and in need of motivation, Welty heads to Tranquillum hoping for guidance.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman plays Masha Dmitrichenko, the mysterious matriarch of the Tranquillum wellness resort. Masha was once a high-strung businesswoman but has since transitioned into a wellness guru, preaching ways to find "better", "healthier" lives. But strange undertones reveal that something isn't right, and Masha isn't what she seems.
Before joining the cast, Kidman also starred in another adaption of Liane Moriarty's work with HBO's Big Little Lies. She's also been nominated for four Oscars, winning one for The Hours. Her most notable roles include Moulin Rouge!, Eyes Wide Shut, and The Others.