Meet the All-Star Ensemble of Nine Perfect Strangers: Cast & Character Breakdown!

Hulu's Nine Perfect Strangers boasts an impressive cast of acclaimed Hollywood actors, portraying a diverse group of characters. The show has received the green light for a second season. Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, the series was created by David E. Kelley (known for his work on Big Little Lies and The Undoing) and John Henry Butterworth. Spanning eight episodes, the story revolves around nine individuals seeking solace at Tranquillum House, a unique California resort that aims to heal their inner turmoil through unconventional means.

These nine guests not only carry their own emotional pain, but also harbor secrets. However, the enigmatic woman responsible for bringing them together for this secluded retreat remains the greatest enigma. Amidst the distractions of smoothies, meditation, and stunning vistas, a larger mystery begins to unravel. Nine Perfect Strangers captivated audiences in 2021, thanks in no small part to its stellar ensemble cast, consisting of both established Hollywood stars and talented character actors. Although initially planned as a miniseries, the show is set to return for a second season, featuring the return of a prominent character and the introduction of several new faces. Let's take a closer look at the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers.

Season 2 Casting News

The cast of Nine Perfect Strangers is set to expand for season 2, as the show transitions from a miniseries to a full-fledged TV series. Hulu confirmed in June 2023 that Nicole Kidman will be returning to reprise her role as the enigmatic Masha Dmitrichenko. However, this time, the location will shift from California to the picturesque Swiss Alps. While details about the new characters are still scarce, we do know that five new additions have been made to the Nine Perfect Strangers cast for season 2, with the potential for more in the near future.

One of the fresh faces joining the cast is Murray Bartlett, who gained recognition for his role as Armond in the acclaimed series White Lotus, and who also appeared in The Last of Us as Frank. Liv Ullman, known for her extensive collaboration with Ingmar Bergman and her appearances in iconic films like Persona and The Passion of Anna, will also be joining the cast. Dolly de Leon, known for her work in Triangle of Sadness, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers from The Kissing Booth franchise, have also been added to the season 2 lineup. Lastly, Aras Aydin from the series Cherry Season will be joining the Nine Perfect Strangers cast as well.

Nicole Kidman As Masha Dmitrichenko

Nicole Kidman portrays Masha, the founder of Tranquillum House, in the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers. Masha assumes the role of a spiritual guide for her carefully chosen guests. Initially presenting herself as a spiritual guru who experienced death and salvation through Yao, Masha's true nature gradually unfolds throughout the series. She cunningly and mysteriously adds psychotropic drugs to her guests' smoothies and is not unfamiliar with Carmel. Additionally, she endeavors to revive memories of her deceased daughter Tatiana, who tragically passed away in a car accident at the tender age of seven. Kidman will reprise her role as Masha in the upcoming second season.

Nine Perfect Strangers marks Kidman's third collaboration with Kelley, the acclaimed writer, and also features her as an executive producer. Their first joint project was HBO's Big Little Lies, where Kidman portrayed Celeste Wright, an abused wife, and received an Emmy award for her exceptional performance. In 2020, they joined forces once again for HBO Max's The Undoing, a gripping series centered around a woman whose life is upended after a fellow mother is brutally murdered at her son's prestigious private school.

Melissa McCarthy As Frances Welty

Melissa McCarthy portrays the character of Frances Welty in the Nine Perfect Strangers cast. Frances is a romance novelist who is facing challenges in both her personal and professional life. Seeking solace and clarity, she decides to visit the resort after experiencing the distressing events of being catfished and robbed by Paul. However, her emotional turmoil intensifies when she receives a call informing her that her publisher is considering dropping her. McCarthy shared with Newsweek that Frances is a woman who believes she should be excelling in every aspect of her life at this point, and her inability to do so is deeply affecting her.

In addition to her acting role, Melissa McCarthy also served as an executive producer on the series, collaborating with Kidman. While she is widely recognized for her comedic performances in movies like Bridesmaids and The Heat, McCarthy has also made a mark in the television industry through her roles in the long-running series Mike & Molly and Gilmore Girls. Prior to Nine Perfect Strangers, she appeared as Lydia Berman in Netflix's Thunder Force, a comedic spin on the superhero genre. McCarthy's upcoming projects include her portrayal of Ursula in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid and an appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Bobby Cannavale As Tony Hogburn

In the Nine Perfect Strangers cast, Bobby Cannavale portrays Tony Hogburn, a retired football player and recovering drug addict. Despite voluntarily seeking Masha's assistance, Tony remains wary of her methods and is hesitant to fully engage. Throughout the ten-day retreat, he forms a deep bond with Frances. In an interview with Slash Film, Cannavale describes Tony as a man who feels like he has hit rock bottom and is desperately searching for a reason to continue living. Tony's connection with Frances reignites her passion for writing, and by the end of their stay at Tranquillim, he manages to overcome his addiction, hinting at a possible marriage between the two.

Cannavale, an Emmy-winning actor, has portrayed memorable characters such as Gyp Rosetti in Boardwalk Empire, Dr. Mike Cruz in Nurse Jackie, and Richie Finestra in Vinyl. His notable film credits include playing Paxton in Ant-Man and the Wasp and Skinny Razor in The Irishman. With his high demand in the industry, he has also lent his voice to the character of Mr. Crystal in Sing 2 and appeared in the Ana de Armas-led film Blonde, which focuses on Marilyn Monroe. Currently, Cannavale is involved in seven upcoming projects in various stages of development and production, including the Ti West film MaXXXine, Old Dads, and Inappropriate Behavior.

Michael Shannon As Napoleon Marconi

In the Nine Perfect Strangers cast, Michael Shannon portrays Napoleon Marconi, a high school teacher. Compared to the other guests, Napoleon, his wife, and daughter are not as financially privileged, but Masha offers them a discount. Despite experiencing a significant loss, Napoleon strives to maintain his composure and hold his family together amidst grief. Throughout the series, he grapples with the suicide of his son Zach, a pain intensified by Masha's attempts to trigger his memory using various treatments and psychotropic drugs. As the series concludes, Zach becomes visible to everyone and encourages his father to let go.

Renowned actor Michael Shannon has delivered notable performances in films such as The Shape of Water, where he portrayed Richard Strickland, and Knives Out, where he played Walt Thrombey. His television credits include appearances in Boardwalk Empire, the miniseries Waco, and At Home with Amy Sedaris. Following his role in Nine Perfect Strangers, Shannon went on to star in the David O. Russell movie Amsterdam alongside acclaimed actors Margot Robbie and Christian Bale. Additionally, he takes on the controversial country music icon George Jones in the musical biopic series George & Tammy, opposite Jessica Chastain's portrayal of Tammy Wynette.

Asher Keddie As Heather Marconi

Asher Keddie, known for her role as Napoleon's wife Heather in the Nine Perfect Strangers cast, portrays a grieving mother in the show. In an interview with Marie Claire, Keddie discussed the emotional state of the Marconi family upon their arrival at Tranquillum. She explained that they feel isolated in their sorrow, experiencing immense pain and sadness while feeling stuck and completely alone. Unlike her husband, Napoleon, Heather openly struggles with the death of their son Zach, even contemplating suicide at one point. However, despite her struggles, Heather holds onto a glimmer of hope that Tranquillum is helping them heal. When Napoleon considers leaving, she manages to convince him to stay.

Aside from her role in Nine Perfect Strangers, Asher Keddie has received critical acclaim for her performance as Clare Kowitz in the Netflix series Stateless. American audiences may also recognize her as Dr. Carol Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Keddie has two upcoming television projects on the horizon. She will be portraying the character Sally Morgan in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Additionally, she will appear in the series Strife, where she takes on the role of Evelyn Jones.

Samara Weaving As Jessica Chandler

Samara Weaving portrays the character of Jessica Chandler in the Nine Perfect Strangers series. Jessica is a social media influencer who attends the health and wellness retreat alongside her husband, Ben. Jessica's persona is centered around superficiality, as evident from her fixation on fame and wealth, given that she and Ben are lottery winners. This focus on materialistic aspects has created a rift between Jessica and her spouse. However, the unconventional therapies at Tranquillum surprisingly prove to be effective for Jessica, ultimately leading her and Ben to take control of Tranquillum by the end of the series.

Samara Weaving has showcased her talent in various projects such as Snake Eyes, where she portrayed Scarlett, Ready or Not as Grace, and The Babysitter: Killer Queen and its sequel, where she played the character of Bee. In addition, she has also appeared in Ryan Murphy's Hollywood, taking on the role of Claire Wood. Following her portrayal of Jessica in Nine Perfect Strangers, Weaving went on to star as Laura Crane, a film teacher and the first Ghostface victim in Scream VI. She currently has six upcoming projects in different stages of production, including Azrael, Down the Rabbit Hole, and Borderline.

Melvin Gregg As Ben Chandler

Melvin Gregg, the former Vine sensation, takes on the role of Jessica's husband, Ben, in the Nine Perfect Strangers cast. Seeking guidance for their marital issues, Jessica and Ben rely on Masha's assistance. In an interview with Digital Spy, Gregg shared that Ben's character differs from his usual roles, stating, "Many of my previous characters exude confidence and bravado, but Ben is different. He carries insecurities and bears the weight of his responsibilities, which reflects in his demeanor." However, the story concludes with Jessica and Ben finding themselves in a much-improved state, as they become the new owners of Tranquillum.

Aside from his role in Nine Perfect Strangers, Gregg has appeared in various other productions, such as Snowfall, where he portrayed Drew "Manboy" Miller, Netflix's American Vandal as DeMarcus Tillman, and Lifetime's unique interpretation of The Bachelor, UnREAL, in the role of Zach Taylor. Additionally, he has been featured in the horror comedy The Blackening as King and the film House Party as Larry. Upcoming projects include his appearance in the television series The Wood as Shawn.

Regina Hall As Carmel Schneider

Regina Hall portrays the character of Carmel Schneider in the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers. Carmel is a woman whose husband has left her for a younger woman, causing her to struggle with feelings of self-worth. In an interview with Screen Rant, Hall discussed Carmel's motivation for coming to Tranquillum. According to Hall, Carmel has multiple reasons for her visit, including a desire to boost her self-esteem and potentially make new connections. As she does not have children, Carmel is seeking to create a fresh start for herself. However, one of the major revelations in the series is that her husband had an affair with Masha, which compels Carmel to delve deeper into the situation.

Hall's notable prior work includes recurring roles on Insecure as Ninny and Black-ish as Vivian, as well as appearances in The Hate U Give and Girls Trip. While her breakthrough role may have been in the Scary Movie franchise, Hall has since transitioned to more substantial and diverse characters. Notably, she portrayed the disgraced wife of a prominent pastor named Trinitie Childs in Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul, and has also been involved in projects such as Me Time and The Best Man: The Final Chapters. Additionally, viewers can anticipate her upcoming appearances in Odessa and Girl's Trip 2.

Luke Evans As Lars Lee

Luke Evans' character Lars Lee in the Nine Perfect Strangers cast arrives at Tranquillum with a different purpose compared to the other guests. He is an undercover journalist who aims to write an article about the resort and its enigmatic founder, Masha. Initially skeptical of Masha and her methods, Lars gradually discovers that he shares more similarities with his fellow guests than he initially realized, despite his prickly demeanor. Eventually, Lars reveals his true intentions to the rest of the group. In the end, he finds happiness outside of Tranquillum as he starts a family with his partner.

Luke Evans, a Welsh actor, has an impressive repertoire of roles. He portrayed Vlad in Dracula Untold, John Moore in The Alienist, the memorable Gaston in the live-action Beauty and The Beast, and Shaw in The Fast and the Furious. Following his appearance in Nine Perfect Strangers, Luke Evans lent his voice to King Merriman in Crossing Swords and portrayed the coachman in the live-action Pinocchio. He also voiced Scrooge in the animated film Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. Additionally, he is set to reprise his role as Gaston in the upcoming miniseries Beauty & The Beast and will star in the film Our Son.

Grace Van Patten As Zoe Marconi

Grace Van Patten portrays Zoe in the Nine Perfect Strangers series, embodying a 20-year-old character who is the daughter of Heather and Napoleon. As she approaches her 21st birthday, Grace's character is deeply grieving the loss of her twin brother, Zach, who tragically took his own life. Throughout her time at Tranquillum, where her birthday is commemorated, Zoe constantly experiences unsettling visions of Zach, even when she would rather not. Besides her role in Nine Perfect Strangers, Van Patten has appeared in notable television shows such as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, and Maniac. Recently, she took on the lead role of Lucy Albright in the dramatic series Tell Me Lies.

Manny Jacinto As Yao

Manny Jacinto portrays Yao in the Nine Perfect Strangers cast. As Masha's right-hand man, his primary responsibility is to assist in maintaining a sense of calm among the guests as they navigate their internal struggles. However, their dynamic goes beyond what meets the eye, much like every other relationship at Tranquillum. In addition to his connection with Masha, he also shares a significant bond with Delilah, much to Masha's dismay. Prior to gaining widespread recognition for his portrayal of Jason Mendoza in the popular comedy series The Good Place, Jacinto showcased his talents in various television shows such as iZombie, Once Upon a Time, and Supernatural.

Tiffany Boone As Delilah

Tiffany Boone portrays Delilah, another trusted employee of Masha in the Nine Perfect Strangers series. Similar to Yao, Delilah is responsible for keeping the guests calm, while also attending to their day-to-day needs and assisting them on their spiritual journey. Delilah's romantic involvement with Yao creates constant tension between her and Masha, ultimately leading to her departure from Tranquillum. In 2020, Boone experienced a breakthrough in her career, starring in George Clooney's Netflix film The Midnight Sky, as well as the Hulu adaptation of Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere.

Nine Perfect Strangers Supporting Cast & Characters

Hal Cumpston portrays the character of Zach Marconi in the Nine Perfect Strangers series. Zach, the deceased son of Heather and Napoleon, makes appearances at Tranquillum to guide them in overcoming the grief caused by his suicide. Prior to this role, Cumpston played Silas Plaskett in The Walking Dead: World Beyond and recently featured in Safe Home.

Zoe Terakes portrays the character of Glory in the Nine Perfect Strangers cast, who is a devoted follower of Masha's and also works as an employee at Tranquillum. Alongside her role in this series, Terakes has showcased her acting skills in other notable productions such as Wentworth and The Moth Effect. Additionally, she is set to make an appearance in the upcoming MCU series, Ironheart.