Nicole Kidman Went Full Method for 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Role

Nicole Kidman's new project is making waves. The Oscar-winning actress dove headlong to bring her character to life in Nine Perfect Strangers, a series that promises to stir the spirits of those who watch.

Based on the novel of the same name written by Liane Moriarty, the series follows nine people who head to a luxury resort with a focus on health and well-being to forget about the stress and worries of city life. Kidman, who plays the site's director Masha, takes on the role of guiding new guests on a 10-day retreat—but we can already expect a scary turnaround here.

What's striking is the technique Kidman used for the role of Masha, the resort's intimidating Russian guru. The star revealed in a recent interview that she opted for a method-acting approach to the role and refused to answer by her own name during the entire five months of shooting.

“I wanted a very calm, healing energy to emanate all the time. So I remember going over to people and sort of putting my hand on their heart or holding their hand,” she explained at a Television Critics Association panel. “They would talk to me or use my name Nicole, and I would completely ignore it. I’d only respond to Masha.”

The casting also features other celebrities: Tiffany Boone, Bobby Cannavale, Luke Evans, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, and Regina Hall. Nine Perfect Strangers arrives on Hulu today, August 18.