Nicole Kidman continues to impress with her latest addition to her acclaimed filmography, the new Amazon Prime series, Expats. The drama miniseries, led by the 56-year-old actress, premiered its first two episodes on January 26 and will conclude its six-episode run on February 23. Expats also features Sarayu Blue, Ji-young Yoo, and Brian Tee, all of whom were captured in a heartwarming behind-the-scenes compilation shared by creator and director Lulu Wang. Wang took to Instagram to share a collection of images from the making of the show, showcasing candid moments of the cast’s interactions and the joy they shared. One particularly intriguing photo depicted Nicole Kidman, stripped down to a white mini dress, basking in a tiny plastic bathtub while a crew member held an umbrella above her to achieve the perfect lighting. The post was captioned with Wang expressing her gratitude to the remarkable cast, stating, “BTS with the incredible Expats cast who made it all possible. Thank you to everyone who watched this weekend.” Nicole Kidman later shared the post on her Instagram Stories, further promoting the series to her followers.
Controversy and Backlash
Expats, based on the 2016 novel “The Expatriates” by Janice Y.K. Lee and produced by Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, initially faced criticism from Hong Kong audiences due to the perceived insensitivity of filming a show about expatriates amidst the city’s political unrest. Additionally, Kidman’s exemption from the mandatory week-long quarantine when she flew to Hong Kong to film the series in August 2021 generated controversy. According to The New York Times, internet users expressed their discontent, viewing Kidman’s exemption as an example of privilege and inequality within the city. Despite the backlash, filming for Expats proceeded smoothly, and Nicole Kidman even returned to Hong Kong in October to complete the production of the series.
A New Season for Big Little Lies
Aside from Expats, fans of Nicole Kidman were thrilled to learn in November that the acclaimed series Big Little Lies would be receiving a third season. The HBO series, which originally aired for two seasons from 2017 to 2019 and received critical acclaim and high ratings, earned Nicole Kidman a Primetime Emmy Award for her outstanding performance. Speaking at the New York premiere of Expats, Kidman revealed that work on season three had already begun. She emphasized that she and her co-star and co-producer Reese Witherspoon were in constant communication, stating, “We’re at work on it. We’re texting every day. We have a timeline, and we’re doing it.” However, Kidman kept further details under wraps, playfully joking, “We’ve got to start keeping our mouths shut… We’ve got to button it.”
Nicole Kidman’s Expats series has garnered early critical praise, with viewers eagerly following the miniseries’ development. Despite the initial controversy surrounding the choice of subject matter and Kidman’s exemption from quarantine, the show successfully completed production. Nicole Kidman’s involvement in Expats is just one of the exciting projects in her pipeline, as she also confirmed the upcoming season three of Big Little Lies. Fans can look forward to more captivating performances from this talented actress, who continues to leave her mark on the entertainment industry.