Although I’m not typically drawn to the “wealthy people behaving badly” genre, a few upcoming stories might just change my mind. One such story is the luxe thriller, “The Perfect Couple,” based on Elin Hilderbrand’s New York Times best-selling novel. Directed by Susanne Bier, known for “Bird Box” and “The Night Manager,” this series features Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber as the heads of a wealthy and morally questionable Nantucket family. The cast also includes Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Ishaan Khatter, Jack Reynor, Mia Isaac, Sam Nivola, Michael Beach, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Isabelle Adjani. The six-episode series will be available on Netflix starting September 5th.
In “The Perfect Couple,” Amelia Sacks (played by Eve Hewson) is set to marry into one of Nantucket’s wealthiest families. The groom’s mother, Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), a famous novelist, spares no expense on the high-society wedding. However, when a dead body is discovered on the beach, the celebration quickly turns into a scene of suspicion and investigation, reminiscent of one of Greer’s novels. As secrets come to light, the investigation intensifies, making for a gripping narrative.
If I were trapped in 1348 Italy, waiting out The Black Death in a villa outside of Florence, the characters from Netflix’s upcoming series “The Decameron” would be the ones I’d want to be stuck with. Based on Giovanni Boccaccio’s collection of raunchy short stories from the 14th century, this eight-part series promises a mix of drama and dark humor. The cast includes Amar Chadha-Patel, Leila Farzad, Lou Gala, Karan Gill, Tony Hale, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Zosia Mamet, Douggie McMeekin, Jessica Plummer, and Tanya Reynolds. “The Decameron” premieres on Netflix on July 25th.
Switching to a different continent and a different plague, the upcoming film “Coup!” also delves into class conflict. Peter Sarsgaard, known for his roles as unreliable and somewhat sinister characters, stars alongside Billy Magnussen, Sarah Gadon, Fisher Stevens, Faran Tahir, John Posey, Skye P. Marshall, and Kristine Nielsen. This Greenwich Entertainment film will hit theaters on August 2nd.
The star-studded cast of “The Perfect Couple” is sure to make it a must-watch. Nicole Kidman plays Greer Garrison Winbury, the groom’s mother, while Liev Schreiber takes on the role of Tag Winbury, the groom’s father. Dakota Fanning portrays Abby Winbury, the sister-in-law, and Eve Hewson stars as Amelia Sacks, the bride. Billy Howle plays Benji Winbury, the groom, and Meghann Fahy is Merritt Monaco, the bride’s best friend. Ishaan Khatter plays Shooter Dival, the groom’s best friend, and Jack Reynor is Thomas Winbury, the groom’s brother. Mia Isaac portrays Chloe Carter, the Chief of Police’s daughter, and Sam Nivola plays Will Winbury, the groom’s brother. Michael Beach takes on the role of Dan Carter, the Chief of Police, while Donna Lynne Champlin plays Nikki Henry, the detective. Isabelle Adjani will recur as Isabel Nallet, a family friend.
Production on “The Perfect Couple” begins next week, with Susanne Bier directing all six episodes and serving as an executive producer alongside showrunner Jenna Lamia. Other executive producers include Shawn Levy for 21 Laps Entertainment, Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady for The Jackal Group, Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films, and Josh Barry.
In the realm of historical drama, “Motherland: Fort Salem” delivered a game-changing episode with “Coup,” where everything was turned upside down. Raelle (Taylor Hickson) and Scylla (Amalia Holm) had a tense reunion, with Scylla confessing her true feelings for Raelle amidst a backdrop of hard truths. Raelle, feeling betrayed, expressed her anger but also admitted to Anacostia (Demetria McKinney) that she still loved Scylla. The question remains whether Raelle and Scylla can overcome the betrayal and hurt to rebuild their relationship.
Anacostia’s world was also shaken when she discovered Alder (Lyne Renee) puppeting President Wade (Sheryl Lee Ralph). Anacostia recognized the danger Raelle and her unit were in and feared what Alder might do when she found out how much they knew. Anacostia’s loyalty to the Bellweather unit will be tested as she navigates the challenges posed by Alder’s increasingly unhinged actions.
Alder’s decision to take control of President Wade to maintain her command raises questions about her intentions. While she may believe she is acting for the greater good, her actions suggest a descent into a darker, more rebellious path. The introduction of the Camarilla, an ancient threat to witches, adds another layer of complexity to the story. This new enemy could force the Spree and the Army to work together, changing the dynamics of the show.
As these stories unfold, they promise to captivate audiences with their rich narratives and complex characters. Whether it’s the high-society intrigue of “The Perfect Couple,” the historical drama of “The Decameron,” or the class conflict in “Coup!,” there’s something for everyone to look forward to.
Source: Netflix, Greenwich Entertainment
