Nicole Kidman Returning for ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2

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Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

Though it would seem to have wrapped up its story –– especially since it is based on a novel –– with its first season, Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ is preparing a second.

It would seem that the streaming service is ready to go the ‘White Lotus’ route and turn the concept into an anthology, with star Nicole Kidman the sole name (so far) from Season 1 set to return.

What was the story of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ first season?

(L to R) Luke Evans, Melvin Gregg, Michael Shannon, Manny Jacinto, and Bobby Cannavale star in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

Debuting in September 2021 as Hulu’s most-watched Hulu original ever — drama, comedy, limited series or unscripted –– the show saw nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living with a 10-day star at a boutique California wellness resort run by director Masha (Kidman), a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine “perfect” strangers have no idea what is about to hit them…

The cast for that first season co-starred Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, Samara Weaving, Melvin Gregg, Asher Keddie, Grace Van Patten, Tiffany Boone and Manny Jacinto. It was developed (based on ‘Big Little Lies’ author Liane Moriarty’s tome), by David E. Kelley.

Melissa McCarthy stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers. Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

What do we know about ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2 so far?

Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

Kelley will be back to lead the writing staff for the new season, with Kidman once more producing as well as starring.

According to Deadline, the new episodes will follow the same general concept of strangers seeking wellness in the Swiss Alps this time around.

And the cast is already starting to come together, with Oscar nominee Liv Ullmann (‘Miss Julie‘), Murray Bartlett (‘The White Lotus’), Dolly de Leon (‘Triangle of Sadness’), Maisie Richardson-Sellers (‘The Kissing Booth 3’) and Turkish actor Aras Aydin all in the midst of making deals to appear alongside Kidman.

It remains to be seen whether the idea can work a second time, since audiences, even those who have not read the book, will know what to expect. Still, viewers embraced the second run of HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies’ adaptation (which also starred Kidman) despite that show’s first season being planned as a limited series.

It’s an increasing phenomenon for companies on the hunt for successful titles that can attract audiences to convert what are originally announced as one-shots into continuing series. HBO in particular has drawn dividends with ‘The White Lotus’ which went from one season made in the midst of the pandemic to an ongoing anthology series that carries over one or two actors each time. That show, created by Mike White, has earned plenty of awards acclaim and seen big viewership.

Moriarty, meanwhile, has become a go-to author for companies looking for source material. Her book ‘Apples Never Fall’ is in development and several others have been optioned.