5 Series to Watch After You Finish ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’
Nine Perfect Strangers debuted on Hulu with an all-star cast, but the show’s themes of healing and grief pulled fans in and kept them there. Week after week, the series took viewers on an emotional runaround. With talents like Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy headlining the cast, how could it not?
Sadly, the Hulu series has been dubbed a limited series — meaning the finale is likely to be its last hurrah. For fans looking to fill the Nine Perfect Strangers-shaped hole in their hearts, don’t fret. These five TV series will bring all the drama, suspense, and entertainment you’re looking for.
‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ mixes drama and suspense
Before getting into the shows like Nine Perfect Strangers, it’s worth noting what fans love about the Hulu series. Following nine grief-stricken individuals who attend a 10-day healing retreat, the show blends suspense and drama in an impressive way. While it presents a central mystery or two, it mostly focuses on the characters and their trauma. And although that can lead to slower moments, it proves a compelling aspect of the show.
Kidman’s new Hulu series isn’t quite a thriller, but it’s not fully a drama either — in fact, it sort of falls somewhere in the middle. That’s the case with many of the series on this list, all of which are proving the draw of genre-bending.
Without further ado, here are five shows you can stream once you’ve finished Nine Perfect Strangers.
HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies’ is another Liane Moriarty adaptation
The concept for Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers came from a book by author Liane Moriarty — and it’s not her only novel to get a TV series. In fact, she also wrote the source material behind HBO’s Big Little Lies. And with Nicole Kidman in its main cast, the HBO show is definitely one to watch after Nine Perfect Strangers.
Big Little Lies doesn’t boast the same remote setting as Moriarty’s other story, but it does have an impressive ensemble cast, central mystery, and plenty of heart. Fans loved the show so much that it received a second outing — even though season 1 ended where the source material did.
Watch Big Little Lies on HBO Max.
Like ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ The White Lotus takes place at a resort
The White Lotus feels more fast-paced and upbeat than Nine Perfect Strangers, but both shows take place at a secluded resort. The two series also follow ensemble casts full of privileged characters — though with Nine Perfect Strangers, that seems to be a feature, while The White Lotus makes it part of its central thesis.
Although the two series have their differences, The White Lotus contains just as much drama and tension as Nine Perfect Strangers — and a stronger mystery at the center. It sees several wealthy vacationers wreaking havoc at a Hawaiian resort, all with the promise that someone with die at the end. The show recounts what happened over the week-long trip, and it’s quite an entertaining ride.
Watch The White Lotus on HBO Max.
‘The Undoing’ is a great series to watch if you love Nicole Kidman
Kidman has been jumping from television series to television series, and HBO’s The Undoing was her most recent project before Nine Perfect Strangers. More thriller than drama, The Undoing feels like a total genre shift from Kidman’s new Hulu series. However, it shows off her acting chops just as much.
The Undoing follows Kidman’s Grace and her husband Jonathan (Hugh Grant) as the latter is accused of murdering a young woman. The successful New York couple must grapple with the tragedy, all while Grace tries to determine who the murderer really is. It’s a great murder mystery series to start ahead of Halloween.
The Undoing is currently streaming on HBO Max.
‘The Path’ gives off similar vibes to ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’
Let’s be honest: Nicole Kidman’s Tranquillum House gives off some serious cult vibes when Nine Perfect Strangers kicks off. Viewers looking to lean further into that concept can give another Hulu original series a try: The Path.
One of the platform’s lesser-known originals, The Path stars Breaking Bad alum Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan, and Hannibal‘s Hugh Dancy. The series grapples with belief, taking place on a religious compound that doesn’t leave much room for questioning. So, when Paul’s Eddie Lane sees something that upends his faith, it becomes the first domino in a series of chaotic events that will keep viewers glued to the screen.
Unfortunately, The Path was canceled after its third season, so viewers won’t get a satisfying conclusion to this particular story. However, the first three seasons are well worth the watch.
Watch The Path on Hulu.
‘Little Fires Everywhere’ is another emotional slowburn from Hulu
Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere has a few things in common with Nine Perfect Strangers, starting with its ability to blend suspense and drama. Another slow burn from the platform, Little Fires Everywhere presents a mystery in its very first episode. However, like Kidman’s Hulu series, answering that question isn’t the central focus of the show.
Instead, Little Fires Everywhere raises important questions about class, race, and motherhood over the course of its eight-episode run. With Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon leading the cast, all of those topics receive emotional explorations worthy of their weight.
Little Fires Everywhere is currently streaming on Hulu.
