Highlights
1) Netflix’s The Perfect Couple features a flashmob-style dance performed by the cast in the opening credits.
2) The cast was initially reluctant to participate in the dance number, but their hesitation was overcome when lead star Nicole Kidman signed on.
Netflix’s new series The Perfect Couple centers on a police investigation into a death on the affluent Winbury family’s Nantucket estate, throwing a wrench into what was set to be the wedding of the season.
Although the show is deeply rooted in the murder-mystery genre, much like the bestselling novel it’s based on, the opening credits surprise viewers with an unexpected scene: the entire cast dancing together on the beach.
At a Q&A following the UK premiere of the show at the BFI Imax in London, which Business Insider attended, director Susanne Bier and cast members, including Nicole Kidman, discussed the creation of the dance sequence.
None of the cast were enthusiastic about the dance—until Nicole Kidman gave her support
Set to Meghan Trainor’s newly released song “Criminals,” the dance features the show’s stars performing coordinated moves in suits and evening dresses.
The concept for the dance was introduced by executive producer Gail Berman, who had previously worked on Wednesday and recognized the power of a viral dance routine to captivate audiences.
Jack Reynor, who plays the eldest Winbury sibling, recounted how the cast’s group chat erupted in chaos upon discovering that director Susanne Bier wanted them to memorize and perform a dance in character.
“There was sheer panic when we found out we’d be doing this TikTok dance,” Reynor said, noting that the cast joked they would need “$10 million each” to agree to it.
Ultimately, the decision hinged on whether Nicole Kidman would participate, as the scene required her involvement to succeed. Although the Oscar-winner eventually agreed, she initially resisted.
“Nicole arrived on set and said, ‘I can’t do it. My dress is too tight, I can’t dance,'” recalled Bier, who had previously worked with Kidman on HBO’s The Undoing.
Kidman added that Bier was firm in her insistence. “She told me, ‘Ignore that. Get out there! Dance!'”
Liev Schreiber, who plays Nicole Kidman’s character’s husband, was the only cast member genuinely excited about the dance scene. While others complained in the group chat, Schreiber was diligently learning the moves.
“I was the only one eager to do it, even though I’m barely in it,” Schreiber said. “I spent three weeks working on that dance, and I’m only in it for about two seconds.”
Despite the cast’s initial reluctance, the dance became a memorable part of their experience.
“It was our final day of filming together, and after the entire journey we’d been through,” said Eve Hewson, who plays bride-to-be Amelia Sacks. “Production had been interrupted by the SAG-AFTRA strike last year, making it a year-long process to finish the show. So, our last day as a group was spent doing that dance.”
The scene was choreographed by Dua Lipa’s preferred choreographer and included several of Taylor Swift’s backup dancers
Dua Lipa’s renowned choreographer, Charm La’Donna, designed the dance moves for the scene. La’Donna, who has also collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, and Selena Gomez, shared with Glamour that her goal was to create a dance “that everyone on set could enjoy, like something you’d join in at a party.”
Bier explained to Netflix’s Tudum, “It places the show in a distinctly heightened reality, inviting the audience to have fun and enjoy it. There was something very joyful about seeing everyone participate.”
Kidman added that the cast received additional support from professional backup dancers who had previously worked with Taylor Swift.
It turned out that not all the cast were aware of this detail.
“No wonder I couldn’t get on camera,” Schreiber remarked.
