Cover Nicole Kidman has made a habit of turning complicated women, dysfunctional families and seemingly perfect lives into must-watch television. From murder mysteries to psychological dramas, here are the series that showcase her range beyond the big screen (Photo: IMDb)
Nicole Kidman has made a habit of turning complicated women, dysfunctional families and seemingly perfect lives into must-watch television. From murder mysteries to psychological dramas, here are the series that showcase her range beyond the big screen (Photo: IMDb)
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From dark thrillers to family dramas, explore the best Nicole Kidman TV shows and where to stream them now
Nicole Kidman has become one of those actors whose name alone can make a television series worth watching. Over the past decade, she has moved seamlessly between film and prestige television, taking on roles that often put complicated women at the centre of stories about wealth, power, family and dark secrets.
Her television work also has an impressive range. She has played an abuse survivor, a mysterious wellness guru, a CIA official and a wealthy novelist caught up in a murder investigation, often working alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Many of these series have also become major streaming hits, making them easy to discover across platforms.
If you’re looking for the best Nicole Kidman TV shows to add to your watchlist, here are some of her standout small-screen performances, along with where to watch them and what each series is about.
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‘Big Little Lies’
Above Perfect lives, wealthy families and secrets that refuse to stay buried--Kidman anchors this gripping drama as Celeste Wright
Available to stream on Max across two seasons, Big Little Lies stars Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright, a successful former lawyer whose seemingly perfect life hides an abusive marriage to her husband Perry, played by Alexander Skarsgård.
Set in the wealthy California coastal town of Monterey, the series follows a group of mothers whose lives become increasingly tangled after a death occurs at a school fundraising event. Beneath the glossy homes, designer clothes and school-gate gossip, the story explores domestic abuse, trauma, friendship and the secrets people keep to protect their carefully constructed lives.
Kidman shares the screen with Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz, while Meryl Streep joins the cast in the second season.
‘Scarpetta’
Above Kidman steps into the world of forensic crime as Dr Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant medical examiner hunting a ruthless killer
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video for its initial one-season run, Scarpetta stars Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the Chief Medical Examiner who uses forensic science to solve complex murder cases. Based on the crime novel series by Patricia Cornwell, the plot follows Scarpetta as she confronts a serial killer while managing political interference and professional rivalries within law enforcement. The cast includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, and Ariana DeBose.
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’
Above Money problems, family drama and an unconventional career collide in this sharp comedy-drama starring Elle Fanning
Available on Apple TV+, Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows Margo Millet, played by Elle Fanning, a recent college dropout and aspiring writer who finds herself navigating single motherhood, mounting bills and few options for making ends meet. After turning to OnlyFans, she reconnects with her estranged father, Jinx, a former professional wrestler played by Nick Offerman, who offers advice drawn from his years in the wrestling world.
Nicole Kidman plays Linda “Lace” Sawkins, a former professional wrestler and lawyer who is also a friend of Jinx. Lace becomes involved in helping Margo deal with the legal complications surrounding her new life. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Margo’s mother, Shyanne, while Greg Kinnear and Thaddea Graham also feature in the cast.
‘Lioness’
Above Nicole Kidman plays a high-ranking CIA supervisor overseeing dangerous undercover operations, as Joe and her team take on increasingly risky missions
In Lioness, streaming on Paramount+ across three seasons, Nicole Kidman stars as Kaitlyn Meade, a senior CIA official supervising an elite counter-terrorism division. The plot centers on Joe, an operative team leader played by Zoe Saldaña, who balances her turbulent personal life with the dangerous task of training undercover female operatives to infiltrate high-value terrorist organizations from within. Co-starring Morgan Freeman and Laysla De Oliveira, the series focuses on espionage, political maneuverings, and the heavy emotional cost borne by intelligence operatives in the field.
‘The Perfect Couple’
Above A glamorous wedding turns into a murder investigation, leaving one very wealthy family with plenty to hide
Streaming on Netflix, The Perfect Couple sees Kidman play Greer Garrison Winbury, a successful novelist and matriarch of a wealthy family preparing to host an extravagant wedding at their Nantucket estate.
The celebrations take a sinister turn when a body is found on the beach just hours before the ceremony. Suddenly, everyone at the wedding becomes a potential suspect, turning what should have been a picture-perfect family gathering into a murder investigation.
The star-studded ensemble includes Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Dakota Fanning and Meghann Fahy, making it an easy pick for fans of glossy murder mysteries and dysfunctional wealthy families.
‘Expats’
Above Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong, this emotionally layered drama explores grief, privilege and the complicated lives of three women
Available on Amazon Prime Video, Expats stars Kidman as Margaret, an American living in Hong Kong whose life changes dramatically following a devastating family tragedy.
Directed by Lulu Wang, the six-part drama follows three women from very different backgrounds whose lives become intertwined. Rather than relying solely on the mystery surrounding the central tragedy, the series takes its time exploring grief, privilege, identity and what it means to build a life far from home.
Kidman is joined by Sarayu Blue, Ji-young Yoo and Jack Huston in the intimate drama.
‘Nine Perfect Strangers’
Above Nicole Kidman plays an enigmatic wellness guru whose unconventional approach to healing pushes her guests far beyond their comfort zones
Streaming on Hulu across two seasons, Nine Perfect Strangers stars Kidman as Masha Dmitrichenko, the enigmatic founder of Tranquillum House, an exclusive wellness retreat promising to transform the lives of its guests.
The series brings together nine strangers who arrive at the retreat hoping to escape their various problems, only to find themselves subjected to increasingly unconventional treatments. As their carefully guarded secrets begin to surface, the supposedly relaxing getaway takes a much darker turn.
With Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans and Bobby Cannavale among the cast, the series combines psychological drama, mystery and a healthy dose of unease—particularly if you’ve ever wondered what might really happen behind the doors of an ultra-exclusive wellness retreat.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
