Emmy Winner Praises Cast in Nine Perfect Strangers
Emmy-winning actor Murray Bartlett has expressed high praise for his co-stars in the Prime Video series Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, which will debut in the Philippines on May 22. This highly anticipated second season introduces nine new strangers invited by Masha Dmitrichenko, played by Nicole Kidman, to a transformative wellness retreat set in the breathtaking Austrian Alps.
The series features Nicole Kidman alongside nine strangers portrayed by Bartlett, Henry Golding, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, King Princess, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, and Aras Aydin. The cast also includes Lena Olin and Lucas Englander. Bartlett takes on the role of Brian, a former children’s show host and puppeteer battling personal challenges.
Portraying Brian: A Complex Character
In a recent interview, Bartlett described his character as “a children’s TV show host who has had a bit of a fall from grace and he battles with anger management issues.” When offered the role, Bartlett immediately connected with the show’s concept and Brian’s intriguing persona. He recalled, “They sent some scripts and asked if I was interested. I think it’s because I love the concept of this show so much and I love this character, so it wasn’t a hard choice for me. Fortunately, they were keen to have me on board. So yeah, it was a sweet thing.”
To prepare for Brian, Bartlett researched trauma and its treatment, particularly focusing on the therapeutic use of psychedelics. He humorously noted, “I took tons of mushrooms. No, I’m kidding.” He went on to explain his interest in the subject, saying, “I was already aware of the kind of therapeutic uses of mushrooms and psychedelics like psilocybin in dealing with trauma.” Bartlett found this topic fascinating, especially its promising results with addiction and trauma recovery. Additionally, he studied various children’s TV shows and their hosts to capture the essence of Brian’s former career.
Filming Experience and Cast Chemistry
The production of Nine Perfect Strangers spanned six months, giving the cast ample time to build strong relationships. Bartlett described the experience as a sort of boot camp in a foreign country, saying, “It’s an extraordinary cast of wonderful people, and we were six months shooting this show, all taken out of our personal lives and into this intense setting.” Filming took place across stunning locations in Germany and Austria, which further bonded the actors.
Bartlett praised Nicole Kidman’s role as both lead actress and producer. “Nicole is iconic, and we were all super excited to work with her. She’s created such an iconic role in Masha, so it was thrilling to be part of this process. We had great directors and excellent material to dive into many layers of the story. It was really enjoyable,” he shared.
The cast’s dynamic was remarkable, Bartlett said. “You never know how it’s going to work when you come together with a group of people, especially in a situation where we’re all transplanted. It was quite intense because we were constantly around each other, away from our usual support systems.” Despite this, the actors quickly formed close bonds, often spending time together outside filming in their temporary homes across Europe.
Exploring Themes and Messages
For Bartlett, the series offers more than entertainment. He reflected, “It’s a show about people moving through the obstacles that block them—the baggage, the trauma they’re carrying—and attempting to overcome it.” He believes the story’s message is hopeful. “The takeaway is that it’s possible to move past these struggles and come out the other side with something valuable, ready to move forward.”
This project marked Bartlett’s first time working with many of the cast members, whom he had admired from afar. “I hadn’t worked with anyone in the cast before. I was a fanboy of their work, so it was fresh and new for me,” he said.
Bartlett’s remarkable talent has earned him numerous accolades, including an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for The White Lotus in 2022, as well as awards from the Hollywood Critics Association and the Critics’ Choice Television Awards.
For more news and updates on Nine Perfect Strangers, visit Filipinokami.com.