Nicole Kidman’s New Netflix SeriesThe Perfect CoupleChanged a Lead Character’s Name to AvoidBig Little LiesComparisons

Mar. 15, 2025

Nicole Kidman in ‘The Perfect Couple’ (left) and ‘Big Little Lies’ (right).Photo:Liam Daniel/Netflix; Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/HBO/Everett

Liam Daniel/Netflix; Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/HBO/Everett

In the Netflix series,Eve Hewsonplays a character named Amelia. However, inElin Hilderbrand’s novel, the character is named Celeste. During the show’sred carpet premierein Hollywood on Sept. 4, showrunner Jenna Lamia toldThe Hollywood Reporterthe change came about because Kidman, 57, played a character named Celeste in HBO’sBig Little Lies. It was one of several changes Hilderbrand, 55, allowed Lamia to make.

“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, whose writing credits includeGood GirlsandAwkward., toldTHR. “And then this wonderful directorSusanne Biercame on and her influence shifted some things, and when we had cast attached that shifted some things.”

Eve Hewson.Araya Doheny/WireImage

Araya Doheny/WireImage

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Some of the changes were as small as the name change. Lamia changed Celeste’s name to Amelia “just to avoid any potential confusion, a very small reason.”

“I wanted them to make the best possible television show, I wasn’t worried about how they changed the book,” she toldTHR. “I said to Jenna right from the beginning, I do not feel precious about this. People can go and read the book later or before; it’ll be a different experience because it is a little bit different, they can see how they changed it, and I just wanted it to be excellent television.”

Hildebrand also had a hand in casting.During the series premiere, she told PEOPLELiev Schreiberwas her top pick to play Kidman’s onscreen husband.

“I was a hugeRay Donovanfan, he’s one of my favorite actors. And I sent my wish to the showrunner,” she told PEOPLE. “And she said, ‘I don’t know.’ And then a few weeks later, she goes, ‘Elin, you might get your wish.’ And she didn’t say in regard to what, but I was hoping that’s what she was talking about.”

Meghann Fahy (left), Eve Hewson and Nicole Kidman.Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty

Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty

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The Perfect Couplestars Kidman as Greer, a novelist whose perfect plans for her son’s wedding are interrupted when a body turns up on a beach the morning of the ceremony. Hewson’s Amelia is Greer’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Billy Howle plays Greer’s son.

The lead cast also includesDakota Fanning,Meghann Fahy,Jack Reynor, Ishaan Khatter and Isabelle Adjani.

All six episodes ofThe Perfect Coupleare now streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com