Netflix drops first look at new mystery thriller series — and it sounds like 'You' but with roles reversed
As someone who can't resist a character drama disguised as a twisty mystery thriller, I've already marked this one on my watchlist.
Starring Emmy-award winners Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, the series delves into the complex lives of its lead characters. Danes plays a reclusive author grappling with grief and writer's block after the tragic death of her young son. Her world is turned upside down when a charismatic real estate mogul, played by Rhys, once suspected in his wife's disappearance, moves in next door.
If you've watched Netflix's 'You' and loved the tense, cat-and-mouse dynamic, 'The Beast in Me' looks like it offers a similar vibe but with the roles reversed. Instead of a charming but dangerous man infiltrating a woman's life, it's the reclusive author who becomes obsessed with her enigmatic new neighbor.
From the first-look images shared by Netflix Tudum, we get a peek at the lineup of characters: Danes looking particularly distressed with blood on her face, Rhys walking down a darkly lit street, and other cast members, including Brittany Snow, David Lyons, and Natalie Morales.
Netflix hasn't released a trailer yet, but between the star power of Danes and Rhys and the captivating premise, 'The Beast in Me' is already shaping up to be a must-watch thriller this fall.
So, if a dark, twisty mystery is right up your alley, here's everything you need to know about 'The Beast in Me' before it premieres on Netflix this November.
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Along with the release date and first-look images, we also have a longer synopsis: 'Since the tragic death of her young son, acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) has receded from public life, unable to write, a ghost of her former self.
'But she finds an unlikely subject for a new book when the house next door is bought by Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), a famed and formidable real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. At once horrified and fascinated by this man, Aggie finds herself compulsively hunting for the truth – chasing his demons while fleeing her own – in a game of cat and mouse that might turn deadly.'
The eight-episode thriller is the brainchild of creator Gabe Rotter. Executive producers include writer Daniel Pearle, director Antonio Campos, Jodie Foster, Caroline Baron, as well as Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross, and David Kissinger for Conaco.
Showrunner and executive producer Howard Gordon told Tudum: 'I've always appreciated Matthew's work, but seeing him with Claire on our first Zoom made me especially excited that he's agreed to play Nile.'
Reflecting on their work together, Rhys says, 'In that moment, I realized that this whole experience was a relationship between two people that was going to be incredibly muscular, challenging, athletic, invigorating, exciting.' Danes adds, 'It was just effortless, playing with Matthew. You can serve anything, and he'll serve it right back in a direction that you can't quite anticipate.' (h/t Vanity Fair).
The rest of the cast includes Tim Guinee, Hettienne Park, Jonathan Banks, Deirdre O'Connell, Aleyse Shannon, Will Brill, Kate Burton, Bill Irwin, Amir Arison, and Julie Ann Emery.
Some high-end TV dramas thrive purely on the thrill of watching two powerhouse actors go head-to-head, often with deadly tension thrown into the mix. That seems to be exactly the case with Netflix's 'The Beast in Me.'
I'm particularly excited to see Danes and Rhys as neighbors whose fraught relationship looks like it could keep you fully engaged in the drama. And with any tense thriller where two flawed characters secretly observe each other from afar, you can expect plenty of twists to upend your expectations.
For anyone still craving the twisted suspense of 'You,' this new series could be just what you need.
Plus, as an eight-episode limited series, 'The Beast in Me' sounds perfect for a binge-watch. If Netflix pulls it off, this thriller could easily become one of the standout series of the fall.
You can stream 'The Beast in Me' on Netflix starting November 13.
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