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News.com.au
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Christine Baranski shares why Nicole Kidman kept distance on Nine Perfect Strangers set
They may be Nine Perfect Strangers on screen, but behind the scenes the new cast of the drama series are anything but. Christine Baranski joins Nicole Kidman along with a star-studded line-up for season two, including Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, The White Lotus star Murray Bartlett, and Schitt's Creek star Annie Murphy. But while the cast bonded during the six months they filmed in the snowy Austrian Alps, in a case of life imitating art, Kidman kept her distance on the series, which is now streaming on Prime Video. The Aussie actress reprises her role as Masha Dmitrichenko, a Russian wellness guru who uses unconventional and questionable methods to treat her guests as the fictional health retreat Zauberwald Although Masha is sociable and people are drawn to her, she is equally complex and enigmatic – and it appears Kidman maintained this persona off-screen too. 'We bonded, the nine of us. And when [Kidman] would come in, it was sort of exactly like it would be in the show, which is she comes in and we're all, what's she all about? What's she going to do? And so the chemistry was sort of exactly right for it,' Baranski, 73, told 'She's rather perfect for that role. The character of Masha is so mysterious and has her own backstory that's very, very complicated and interesting. And Nicole is really tall and statuesque, and her look in this show, I think, is particularly arresting. So she's just perfect for this inscrutable, intimidating character.' Still, there was nothing that could keep Baranski away from the show or Kidman. 'It's such a no-brainer. My agent said it was Nicole Kidman and the second season of Strangers, which was already an established hit. Then he mentioned the talent that they were offering roles to various actors, and they were all extraordinary people. And then he said that it was going to film in Europe, in Munich and the Austrian Alps,' the Mamma Mia star shared. In season two, Baranski plays the glamorous and sensual Victoria, who enlists the help of Masha to repair her relationship with her daughter Imogen (played by Murphy). While they play an estranged mother-and-daughter duo, off-screen Murphy adored Baranski. 'She is the hostess with the mostest and she's so generous. Anytime she'd go away [from set], she'd come back with cakes and treats and all these things for us,' Murphy told 'We were staying in this town called Halstadt in Austria, which is this beautiful fairytale town around this alpine lake. And we're staying in this beautiful hotel and the hotel backed onto the lake. 'Christine arranged this evening for us, and the sun was just setting and we walked out and there was champagne and beautiful tables set up. She'd curated this incredible classical playlist for us that was kind of echoing across this still, beautiful lake. And it was just magical.' In the series, there is also magic between Baranski's Victoria and her much younger lover Matteo (played by Aras Aydın). There seems to be a chorus of age-gap romances playing out on screens across Hollywood lately, but Baranski says there is nothing salacious about this May-December romance. 'It was very easy because Aras is so emotionally free and available and he's beautiful and so passionate. We didn't have to work at that [chemistry],' she said. 'As you can see from early on in the first few episodes, it's not just some sexy older woman-hot guy relationship. There's an enormous kind of tenderness and caretaking and loveliness between us. 'We valued bringing that out more than the sexy part because it's transcends age. People can love each other long after they feel sexy or hot for each other. The tenderness and the intimacy is what is most lasting and interesting.'
The Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Henry Golding says he misses Malaysia, wants to return soon and eat laksa
Henry Golding may be living oceans away, but his heart still beats for Malaysia. Born in Betong, Sarawak to an English father and a Malaysian mother, Golding spent his early years in Dungun, Terengganu before relocating to Surrey in England, the United Kingdom, at the age of eight. Long before making it big in Hollywood, Golding was a hairdresser in England. He returned to Malaysia in 2008 to chase his dream in broadcast television – a decision that set him on a globe-spanning path: a decade in Singapore, some time in Los Angeles, the United States, and a return to Surrey in late 2024. 'It's been a long and amazing journey,' the 38-year-old told StarLifestyle in an exclusive virtual interview. 'I'm used to moving around, so I'm sort of transient in that sense.' But no matter where life takes him, Malaysia remains close to Golding's heart. The actor, whose last Instagram post from Malaysia was in November 2024, shared that he often feels left out whenever he sees his friends posting about their adventures here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Henry Golding (@henrygolding) 'Oh my gosh, I miss Malaysia tremendously! "I have to do an extended trip someday just to catch up with everybody and go eat a good bowl of laksa. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to return,' he said in his charming British accent. Reflecting on his globe-trotting experience, Golding admitted that it hadn't been easy. For one, he used to face racism as an Asian minority trying to assimilate in Britain. Still, those experiences shaped him, and he slowly began taking pride in his heritage over time. 'It was a little jarring getting used to being there at first, but at the same time, there's also so much joy and exploration.' 'Fake it to make it' When talking about Golding, it's hard not to think of his breakout performance as the suave Nick Young in 2018's Crazy Rich Asians – the first-ever Hollywood flick featuring an all-Asian cast since 1993's The Joy Luck Club . The movie propelled him to global stardom – a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that he had no acting experience before bagging the role. 'I went out and was like: 'I've got to fake it to make it. I've got to pretend I have experience.' Sometimes, you really have to put yourself on the line to get the results you really want,' he told British daily The Guardian . Golding starred opposite Michelle Yeoh (left) and Constance Wu in the hit movie 'Crazy Rich Asians'. Photos: Handout Golding first launched his career as a television host on the local variety show 8TV Quickie in 2008 before going on to present for ESPN, the BBC and Discovery Channel Asia. Building on the success of Crazy Rich Asians , Golding starred in films such as Last Christmas (2019), Snake Eyes (2021), Daniela Forever (2024) and more. Over the years, the actor has been hailed by international media as one of the more prominent Asian leading men in movies today. New retreat, new faces He's currently starring in the second season of the Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers . The first instalment, based on Australian author Liane Moriarty's 2018 novel of the same name, featured Oscar winner Nicole Kidman as Masha – a Russian wellness guru who uses psychedelic therapy to help nine guests heal at her resort in California. Oscar winner Nicole Kidman reprises her role as Russian wellness guru Masha in the second season of 'Nine Perfect Strangers'. The latest season, however, strays away from its source material, shifting the setting to the snowy Austrian Alps and introducing nine new characters. This time, Masha invites a fresh group of strangers to a one-week transformation retreat: A formerly devout nun (Dolly de Leon), a socially awkward puppeteer (Murray Bartlett), a tense mother-daughter duo (Christine Baranski, Annie Murphy) and more. Other new faces introduced include Golding's Peter – a young man longing for his billionaire father's (Mark Strong) approval. 'It's rare to find a series with such strong and compelling characters... Like, Peter has everything, but the one thing he can't have is his father's love,' Golding told StarLifestyle . Golding (left) is thrilled to work alongside fellow actor Mark Strong, who's one of his biggest idols in the film scene. Photo: Reuters 'That distance with his father makes him a sensitive soul, but the moment he has any interaction with his dad, he becomes like this puppy... basically a child. 'He's kind of wacky and easily freaks out, but he's really just a sensitive young boy in a man's body, so it was fun exploring that.' A golden opportunity For Golding, Nine Perfect Strangers is more than just another role – it's an exciting experience that marks many firsts for the actor. The eight-episode project took him to Munich and the Austrian Alps for the first time, where he spent months filming and exploring. 'We spent a lot of time in Salzburg city, went deep into the mountains and explored everywhere. 'Filming began in January and ended in June, so I literally saw all the seasons – from winter to spring and all the way into summer. 'By the time filming ended, we were all in shorts and T-shirts,' he said with a laugh. Golding had the opportunity to explore the Austrian Alps for the first time while filming 'Nine Perfect Strangers'. Golding also joked that if Nine Perfect Strangers has a third instalment, it should be set in the jungles of Borneo so everyone could 'sweat a little'. Beyond the picturesque scenery, Golding had the privilege of working alongside industry juggernauts Kidman and Baranski, who have graced the screen for over 40 years. Describing it as an inspiring experience, Golding shared: 'I love being surrounded by talented people on set... It's such a gift. 'As an actor, you're constantly motivated by others' performances in the best way possible. You watch them, see their process and take on board their choices.' Another memorable aspect of the project for Golding was the opportunity to star opposite actor Strong, who's one of his biggest heroes in the film industry. Strong, 61, is famous for movies such as Stardust (2007), Sherlock Holmes (2009), Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and its sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). 'I grew up watching Mark's works, so it was a joy to find out he would be playing my dad. He's such a regal and phenomenal actor who has cultivated his art and craft... He oozes control,' added Golding. Finding room for improvement Ever the perfectionist, Golding is constantly pushing himself to grow as an actor by embracing various challenges. In Nine Perfect Strangers , the biggest hurdle came in the form of filming out of sequence – a daunting task given it's his first series since 2009's Goda . 'Nine Perfect Strangers' marks Golding's first series since 2009's 'Goda'. Photo: Henry Golding/Instagram 'It's always challenging to film out of order, especially when you have eight episodes that, sometimes, aren't fully finished. 'Like, I've already done this, but now I'm doing this and then I've got to come back here. 'That's just the nature of filming something so big,' he said. Despite the challenges, Golding successfully brought the emotionally intricate character of Peter to life, thanks to his determination and the support of his co-stars. That same drive to grow carries over into his personal life. In August 2016, Golding tied the knot with Taiwanese television presenter Liv Lo in Sarawak. The couple, who first crossed paths at a New Year's Eve party in 2010, are now proud parents to two daughters – Lyla, four, and Florence, two. For Golding, no role is more important than that of being a father. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Henry Golding (@henrygolding) 'I think you can never stop being a better father. 'No matter how much time I spend with my daughters or how patient I try to be, I always look back and wonder if I should've spent more time with them,' he shared. Though he admitted that parenthood is tough, it's also his greatest joy and blessing. 'Being a parent is probably life's biggest challenge because you can be hard on yourself. 'But at the same time, you know you're trying your best, so I think that's something that I can always improve on.' Nine Perfect Strangers Season Two is available on Prime Video, with new episodes out every Thursday.
Cosmopolitan ME
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
Crazy Rich Asians 2 UAE release: Cast, plot, trailer and more
Does anyone else remember the summer of 2018? When the air wasn't as crazy humid as it is now, and the girls went back and forth about their obsession with Henry Golding's British accent and signature smile? Welp, fast forward to 2025, and we (I mean me), are still living in that era. Since Crazy Rich Asians was first released in 2018, which follows the book written by Kevin Kwan, the pre-BookTok girls were already in a frenzy because it made history as the first major studio film in 25 years to have an all-Asian slew of cast members. Naturally, the plot of the first book and film had everyone in a chokehold. From over-the-top bridal showers, parties in private boats, and extravagant dreamy weddings, Crazy Rich Asians was surely everyone's pot of gold (the fanfics were–well, crazy). And now, seven years later, we're finally getting the sequel that we deserve. And guess what? It's already in the works, but not in the way you thought. Having initially stated in 2018 that there will be a sequel for the movie, it was confirmed by director Jon M. Chu that instead of a feature film, fans will be getting a full television series instead. But we aren't complaining of course ✨ Here's everything you need to know about the Crazy Rich Asians sequel. Crazy Rich Asians 2 UAE release: When is the movie coming out? While Henry Golding teased that there is a Crazy Rich Asians sequel in the happenings, the release date hasn't been released to the public just yet. According to reports, their looking to start filming in Malaysia and Singapore this year. Crazy Rich Asians 2 cast: Who is coming back to star in the show and who isn't? While it's still under wraps, we're hoping to see Constance Wu, who plays Rachel Chu, and Henry Golding, as the always-handsome Nick Young, to return as the series' main leads. With Gemma Chan, Awkfina and more to potentially return. But like everyone else, we're still manifesting. Crazy Rich Asians 2 trailer: When will the trailer be released? At the moment, there's currently no news yet of a trailer. But, fingers crossed, we get it soon enough. Crazy Rich Asians 2 plot: Will the show follow the books? Like its first movie, the series will follow Kevin Kwan's trilogy. This time the sequel will focus on book two, aptly titled 'China Rich Girlfriend', which follows Nick and Rachel's pre-wedding preparation. *Spoilers ahead* After Nick proposes to Rachel on the plane in the first movie *cries*, the series will likely follow Rachel's agony of not having a father figure walk her down the aisle. A man she never knew, unfortunately. A big fan of Jenny Han? Here's when XO, Kitty season 3 will release in the UAE.
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Actor tipped as first Asian 007 says there shouldn't be pressure to change Bond's ethnicity
A British actor tipped to be the first Asian James Bond has said there shouldn't be 'pressure to change the ethnicity' of 007. Henry Golding, 38, said it was a 'privilege' to be in the running to take the leading role in the British spy franchise as Amazon searches for Daniel Craig's successor. Discussing whether an actor's ethnicity was an important factor for the part, the Crazy Rich Asians star told Radio Times: 'I don't think there should be a pressure to change the ethnicity of a character like Bond. 'I think sometimes it is good to pay justice to the source material, and how Ian Fleming saw this idea of Bond.' He added that 'there's plenty more characters in that universe to play and explore' before suggesting he could be 008, in reference to a 'lucky Chinese number'. Asked if he would take the part of the British spy and become the first Asian Bond, he said: 'Sign me up.' Golding, who also starred in Guy Ritchie's gangster film The Gentlemen, added: 'Obviously, it's a privilege to be in any conversation for a property like that. 'Whatever happens, I'm excited as a big fan of that series, to see how they kind of expand it.' It comes after Amazon's takeover of the beloved spy franchise, based on Ian Fleming's novels, sparked speculation that the next 007 could be an American. Speaking to The Telegraph in March, former Bond Pierce Brosnan said it was a 'given' that Craig's successor should be British after long-time custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handed creative control to the US firm. After more than 30 years at the helm, the half-siblings stepped back to allow Amazon MGM to steer the ship, something the GoldenEye star said he 'lamented,' adding that it was 'coming for some time'. Brosnan, who played Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002, said 'no one really knows' what will happen to 007 under Amazon's control. Rumours about casting have been in overdrive since Craig's final foray in the franchise in 2021, when No Time To Die was released. Although Broccoli and Wilson insisted that the search for the seventh screen Bond hadn't started, reports last year suggested that the part had been offered to Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson. However, production insiders later told the BBC there was 'no truth in the rumours' and Taylor-Johnson's film bombed at the box office. Golding has previously expressed enthusiasm for the part, telling Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show: 'If you're a male movie star, it is literally the most iconic role possible. 'You'd be an absolute idiot not to sort of think and aspire for a role like that. I mean, who knows?' The British-Malaysian actor is currently starring in the second series of Nine Perfect Strangers, alongside Nicole Kidman and Bobby Cannavale.
CNET
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
What to Stream on TV This Weekend: 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' 'Sirens' and More
Nicole Kidman continues to be the hardest working woman in Hollywood (she's starred in four films and four movies just in the past year) with the arrival of a new season of the Hulu hit Nine Perfect Strangers. In the series, Kidman plays Masha, a guru-like leader at a wellness center. The new season will feature a whole new cast of characters attending Masha's latest retreat in Austria including Henry Golding, Mark Strong, Lena Olin, Annie Murphy and Christine Baranski. (Whether or not any of the other season one cast will return has been a closely guarded secret). The show premiered on Hulu on May 21.
