The Undoing's cast on working with Nicole Kidman and nude scenes

“Ohh, it’s so good and mind-twisting!”... HBO’s psychological thriller The Undoing has been stirring up discussions among my entertainment buff friends, such that it’s difficult not to sit up and pay attention at dinner talks.

The Undoing is based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel You Should Have Known, written by David E. Kelley. It follows the lives of high-strung, upper-class couple Grace (Nicole Kidman) and Jonathan Fraser (played by Hugh Grant). Watching them sashay down the Upper East Side of New York while balancing busy careers and raising their only child Henry – one would not think while observing them behind rose-tinted glasses that there lies unsealed cracks and a whodunnit murder mystery waiting to unfold.

The Undoing also stars Danish actress Sofie Gråbøl (Gentleman Jack, Fortitude) as Catherine Stamper; Italian actress Matilda De Angelis as Elena Alves; and Afro-Latino actor Ismael Cruz Córdova (Berlin Station) as Fernando Alves, who deliver strong performances episode after episode.

Yahoo Lifestyle SEA spoke with Gråbøl, Angelis and Córdova about what makes this series so sensational and what it was like working with big shots like Grant and Kidman on set.

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Do you think American television has borrowed from Scandinavia’s culture in the last couple of years and has it been reflected in The Undoing?

Gråbøl: Since I have started to work abroad, it’s so inspiring and interesting when you work in other countries, with other co-actors, directors, writers, because you realise that, the work is the same. It’s become very clear to me how much you are rooted in your cultural tradition, the tradition of storytelling, and your whole language. It was a big thrill for me to work with director Suzanne Bier; I haven’t worked with her for 20 years.

She’s a very honest, strong-minded and yet open director. Which I think is the reason why all actors love working with her. Because she’s tough, but she’s loving. And maybe that’s the very Danish thing, that she is so direct.

To see her work with this huge crew, like hundreds of people, three cameras, amazing international actors like Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland; I sometimes just sit there and watch and admire her.

Gråbøl, looking at your previous works, do you resonate with scripts with crime or thriller elements?

Gråbøl: You know, up until The Killing, the TV series I did, I had never – maybe I’ve done a few feature films that were thrillers; but no, it was never something that I sought out. I’ve done classical dramas, Shakespeare and films like comedies, thrillers, and drama but I’ve never felt confined to a particular genre or style.

I think every actor feels that they’re drawn to projects for different reasons. Maybe to some, it’s the director you want to work with. Sometimes it’s the actors you want to work with. Sometimes the script is amazing. Or your characters are different.

I must say that with this project, I just ticked all the boxes. I mean, I’ve been wanting to work with Suzanne for so many years.

What was it like meeting Kidman and Grant on set for you?

Angelis: It’s been the most challenging and frightening experience in my whole life because I was a bit intimidated, but I think that’s normal and healthy. Nicole is invested, and she’s like a legend for me. She was really warm and nice, and she made me feel very comfortable on set. I feel the same with Hugh Grant as well. He’s been such a good sport; very caring, attentive and sensitive.

Córdova: I felt like, I want to be the coolest person in the world, like, ‘No, I wasn’t intimidated at all.’ The first few times that I was with Nicole, I could not establish eye contact. I felt that I was about to melt or catch fire. But she has the most beautiful specific blue eyes, but also the intensity with which she nails her gaze into yours. Which is why she is a legend.

Córdova, did you dig into your background to approach your character?

Córdova: You know, I had a rough upbringing as a child, and a lot of children around me were neglected as well. In the communities that I come from, a lot of children are neglected, and there was a lot of poverty. My parents had to work a lot, so we spent a lot of time fending for ourselves. Through that, I looked back to find a child version of me, looking for justice and the failure to protect a child.

A child needs to be protected, period; there’s no way around it, and there’s no excuse. I really wanted to feel it and put myself in a position of being a protector.

De Angelis, as a young actress, who I imagine grew up with the sensibilities of Italian cinema and television, what was it like working with director Susanne?

De Angelis: Susanne is demanding, and she really knows what she wants from you. She always pushes you to the extreme and she works in a very concrete mood, in a very concrete direction.

So I’d like to say that she’s not a puppeteer; she’s a juggler, as you are. And also, it was the first time for me to work with a female director and I found it beautiful and really inspiring. Women do have a different sensitivity, especially for my character, who is a very complex character as it involves a sexual and very provocative part.

Córdova: She’s a national treasure, in my heart. Wow, you know, she’s the master. I guess it’s odd because I’ve been doing interviews for like two months, but I’m still super excited to answer that question.

It gives me such a clear arena to work in; the rules are laid out; the structure is laid out; the aesthetics are laid out. I had truly full freedom to bring all of me into it. She is concerned, absolutely concerned with truth, honesty, nuance and specificity.

On the provocative scene, how did Nicole and Susanne give you this safe space for you to act that part?

De Angelis: Nudity can be difficult. If you see nudity as a metaphor – you’re naked, and you’re vulnerable. But I think that’s the most beautiful thing about acting – that is, being really vulnerable and able to really show emotions as they flow. So it was really important for me to feel safe and not to feel judged.

However, I feel emotional nudity is way more difficult and complicated for me, and my body is just another tool to express myself.

Watch The Undoing on HBO GO and HBO, every Monday at 10am with a same-day encore at 10pm.