Latest news with #Susanne
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dakota Fanning said ‘yes' to ‘The Perfect Couple' the moment she heard Nicole Kidman was involved, without knowing anything else about the show
Dakota Fanning laughs while recalling her spontaneous decision to join Netflix's suspense drama The Perfect Couple. "The first thing they said was, 'You're Nicole [Kidman]'s daughter-in-law, you're pregnant, and you're the murderer,' and I was like, 'Yes!'" The Emmy-nominated actor tells Gold Derby, "I was introduced to the project through Susanne Bier, who I had worked with before and became very close to. She called me, and told me a bit about the character. I don't even think she told me the title of the show or the book that it was based on. She said Nicole Kidman was involved, and I said yes. That was my introduction to it, and then, of course, I read the scripts and found out who was playing all the other parts, and as the cast was coming together I got more and more excited, but Susanne and Nicole were the two biggest draws for me." More from GoldDerby Roy Wood Jr. on how 'Lonely Flowers' became his most personal special to date 'He feels like he's the smartest guy there': 'Abbott Elementary's' William Stanford Davis on Mr. Johnson's 'veneer' of 'mystery' 'The Shining' at 45: How Stanley Kubrick's Stephen King adaptation became the Razzies biggest regret The actress "would do anything for Susanne" and had never worked with Kidman before. "I was super excited to do that, and it just came together in the most seamless way," she continues. "The story turned out to be so juicy, and I was getting to play a character that I really felt like I had never played before. I got to be a part of such an incredible ensemble of actors, and we just had the absolute best time." SEE 'The Perfect Couple': Nicole Kidman is awards-bound for juicy Netflix hit The Perfect Couple was created by showrunner Jenna Lamia and Emmy-winning director Bier, based on Elin Hilderbrand's 2018 novel. The six-part mystery limited series stars Oscar and Emmy winner Kidman as celebrated author Greer Garrison Winbury, with nine-time Emmy nominee Liev Schreiber playing her husband Tag. Eve Hewson and Billy Howle portray engaged couple Amelia Sacks and Benji Winbury, Emmy nominee Meghann Fahy plays Amelia's best friend, and Fanning co-stars as Benji's sister-in-law Abby, with Jack Reynor, Ishaan Khatter, and Donna Lynne Champlin rounding out the ensemble cast. Set in the luxury of Nantucket, the story follows the extravagant wedding of Amelia and Benji, which is thrown into chaos when a dead body is found on the morning of the ceremony. As investigators dig deeper, long-buried secrets come to light, placing everyone in the wedding party under suspicion. The series blends elements of mystery and family drama, exploring the darker undercurrents of privilege, love, and deception, keeping viewers on edge through its twists and layered storytelling. "Susanne's just the greatest partner an actor could have," Fanning proclaims. "Jack Reynor, who played my husband; it was like we were on our own show, the two of us a lot of the time, doing our own thing. We became so close. He's such a great actor. We leaned into the heightened nature of our characters and their marriage and had the greatest time. There was not one person that didn't just fit right in, like we all just became really fast friends. Eve is one of my really good friends in real life for years. So, getting to work with her was such a dream. We were all on the same page and on the same team and really having fun with it. And I think people can really tell that when they watch the show. It's fun when the real chemistry is actually there and it's not pretend." Netflix As for the show's marquee star, Fanning is as endearingly effusive as ever. "She's such an icon. She is one of a kind, and she continues to push her own limits and boundaries. She is constantly stretching herself into new characters and spaces. I don't know how she gets it all done — she seemingly is defying the laws of time and space with her career and also having a really wonderful personal life, too," she says. "It was really inspiring to watch her work and get to know her as a person. She has such an amazing sense of humor, is really funny and really warm, and is still really down for the adventure of being an actor, so many years into her career, which I'm very inspired by, and hope to emulate as I continue mine." Fanning plays a pivotal role in the series, portraying a privileged and often acerbic social climber with aplomb, giving the actor the chance to flesh out a character unlike any she has played before. "The character as a whole felt new, because people haven't seen me play this particular kind of character before. She's a little bitchy, she says socially unacceptable things in a very light, breezy tone, as if they're totally normal. She is pregnant and would like everyone to know at all times," she smiles. "She says these quips and remarks as if they're totally normal and I really enjoyed getting to play a character like her who worships Nicole's character, her mother-in-law, and is trying to be like her at all times, so much so to the point that she doesn't even know who she is anymore or what her real opinions are," Fanning notes. "She's constantly trying to fit into this mold and living in this kind of warped reality. And that's the thing that I also loved about the show itself, which you don't realize right away, but as we got into it, the heightened tone developed over time. Everyone looks like it's a real-life world and a real-life family, but everything has the volume turned up a little bit, and it's aware of itself in a particular way, which was really fun to play with as an actor, and I think also fun to watch as a viewer." Fanning has gone from strength to strength over the years, from her early days as a child actor, to her first Emmy nomination last year for the Netflix limited series Ripley. 'To be nominated for something is very exciting, and I was just happy for everyone, happy for all of us, that it was recognized in that way. It's something you can always hold on to and look back on. And so it was very special and unexpected, and I was very thrilled to be there.' Asked about one of the highlights of her career to date, Fanning looks back on working on Steven Spielberg's 2005 sci-fi thriller remake of War of the Worlds, which she filmed when she was 10 years old. 'Working on a movie directed by Steven Spielberg with Tom Cruise, it doesn't get more 'making a movie' than that. It's peak 'making a movie.' And I knew that at the time, and I look back on that experience and am so grateful for it because of getting to know the two of them,' she explains. 'The mark of a great director is where people want to work with them again and again and again, and would do anything for them. And so, I really saw that with Steven." The Perfect Couple is now streaming on Netflix. SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby Inside 'The Daily Show': The team behind the satirical news series on politics, puppies, punchlines — and staying sane 'Slow Horses' star Rosalind Eleazar gets real about her MI5 outcast Louisa Guy: 'She's really not OK' Tina Fey on 'The Four Seasons': 'It was a challenge to be restrained about where we put jokes' Click here to read the full article.
Calgary Herald
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Full text: Read the full text of Jagmeet Singh resigning as Party leader
A big thank you to Susanne. She's been with us from the beginning. Huge thank you. Appreciate her so much, thank you, thank you. And all of you in this room, you guys poured your heart into this. Thank you so much for everything you've done. You're amazing, love you all. And I know, I know election parties —night — parties across the country, people are gathered, I wanna thank them all for all their hard work. They're amazing people, gathered together across the country. I wanna take a moment to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on his victory. He has an important job to do, to represent all Canadians and to protect our country, and its sovereignty, from the threats of Donald Trump. Tonight and every night, all of us here are on Team Canada. Article content Article content Article content We want Canada to thrive, and we're going to continue to fight for Canada. I want to congratulate all the other leaders on a hard fought campaign. It's been the honor of my life to represent the people of Burnaby Central. Tonight, they chose — Thank you. Tonight, they chose a new member of Parliament, and I wish them well as they continue to work hard for this community. Obviously, I know this night is a disappointing night for New Democrats. We had really good candidates that lost tonight. I know how hard you worked. I spent time with you. You're amazing. I'm so sorry you're not gonna be able to represent your communities. I know you're gonna continue to fight for them. I know on how many doors you knocked; how many family dinners you missed; how many nights your kids went to bed without you there to tuck them in. I know it was a tough sacrifice, and I just want to thank and we can give a round of applause to every single candidate. Article content Article content Thank all those incredible candidates and their incredible teams, because no candidate can do without a team, the volunteers, the staff. You know, thank you to all those candidates and their incredible staffs. One time, one more time. Choosing to commit your life to politics obviously comes with some sacrifice, but we choose this life because of the chance to change the country we love for the better. We may lose sometimes, and those losses hurt. You know, it's tough. But we are only defeated if we stop fighting. We're only defeated when we believe that those that tell us that we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada. I have met New Democrats from coast to coast to coast, who will never back down, even when they're told that there's no room from the table.
National Post
29-04-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Full text: Read the full text of Jagmeet Singh resigning as Party leader
A big thank you to Susanne. She's been with us from the beginning. Huge thank you. Appreciate her so much, thank you, thank you. And all of you in this room, you guys poured your heart into this. Thank you so much for everything you've done. You're amazing, love you all. And I know, I know election parties —night — parties across the country, people are gathered, I wanna thank them all for all their hard work. They're amazing people, gathered together across the country. I wanna take a moment to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on his victory. He has an important job to do, to represent all Canadians and to protect our country, and its sovereignty, from the threats of Donald Trump. Tonight and every night, all of us here are on Team Canada. Article content Article content We want Canada to thrive, and we're going to continue to fight for Canada. I want to congratulate all the other leaders on a hard fought campaign. It's been the honor of my life to represent the people of Burnaby Central. Tonight, they chose — Thank you. Tonight, they chose a new member of Parliament, and I wish them well as they continue to work hard for this community. Obviously, I know this night is a disappointing night for New Democrats. We had really good candidates that lost tonight. I know how hard you worked. I spent time with you. You're amazing. I'm so sorry you're not gonna be able to represent your communities. I know you're gonna continue to fight for them. I know on how many doors you knocked; how many family dinners you missed; how many nights your kids went to bed without you there to tuck them in. I know it was a tough sacrifice, and I just want to thank and we can give a round of applause to every single candidate. Article content Thank all those incredible candidates and their incredible teams, because no candidate can do without a team, the volunteers, the staff. You know, thank you to all those candidates and their incredible staffs. One time, one more time. Choosing to commit your life to politics obviously comes with some sacrifice, but we choose this life because of the chance to change the country we love for the better. We may lose sometimes, and those losses hurt. You know, it's tough. But we are only defeated if we stop fighting. We're only defeated when we believe that those that tell us that we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada. I have met New Democrats from coast to coast to coast, who will never back down, even when they're told that there's no room from the table. Article content We make room for everyone, because we believe that there is enough wealth in Canada for all of us to live the life that we deserve. Honestly, I gotta avoid making eye contact with certain people, because then it's gonna get too emotional up here, so — I just made the mistake of doing that — so I'm gonna look away now. You know who you are. Don't look at me again (laughs). Almost eight years ago, I was elected the leader of this incredible party; this incredible movement. I've worked really hard to be worthy of this trust, to live up to the legacy of our movement. Hold on a sec, you guys. One more One more sec; one more sec, I've informed our party leader that I'll be stepping down as party leader as soon as an interim leader can be appointed.
Vancouver Sun
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Full text: Read the full text of Jagmeet Singh resigning as Party leader
Article content A big thank you to Susanne. She's been with us from the beginning. Huge thank you. Appreciate her so much, thank you, thank you. And all of you in this room, you guys poured your heart into this. Thank you so much for everything you've done. You're amazing, love you all. And I know, I know election parties —night — parties across the country, people are gathered, I wanna thank them all for all their hard work. They're amazing people, gathered together across the country. I wanna take a moment to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on his victory. He has an important job to do, to represent all Canadians and to protect our country, and its sovereignty, from the threats of Donald Trump. Tonight and every night, all of us here are on Team Canada. Article content Article content Article content We want Canada to thrive, and we're going to continue to fight for Canada. I want to congratulate all the other leaders on a hard fought campaign. It's been the honor of my life to represent the people of Burnaby Central. Tonight, they chose — Thank you. Tonight, they chose a new member of Parliament, and I wish them well as they continue to work hard for this community. Obviously, I know this night is a disappointing night for New Democrats. We had really good candidates that lost tonight. I know how hard you worked. I spent time with you. You're amazing. I'm so sorry you're not gonna be able to represent your communities. I know you're gonna continue to fight for them. I know on how many doors you knocked; how many family dinners you missed; how many nights your kids went to bed without you there to tuck them in. I know it was a tough sacrifice, and I just want to thank and we can give a round of applause to every single candidate. Article content Article content Thank all those incredible candidates and their incredible teams, because no candidate can do without a team, the volunteers, the staff. You know, thank you to all those candidates and their incredible staffs. One time, one more time. Choosing to commit your life to politics obviously comes with some sacrifice, but we choose this life because of the chance to change the country we love for the better. We may lose sometimes, and those losses hurt. You know, it's tough. But we are only defeated if we stop fighting. We're only defeated when we believe that those that tell us that we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada. I have met New Democrats from coast to coast to coast, who will never back down, even when they're told that there's no room from the table.
The Guardian
16-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
In Sweden, parents get time off work to introduce their kids to school. Americans need this too
About a month ago, I sat on a tiny wooden chair, hand-embroidering a thick cotton pillowcase in dim candlelight. Eight Swedish children softly sang a good morning song over tiny cups of peach-colored herbal tea. This is not a tale of a tradwife textile artist living off the grid in the Swedish countryside or the opening of some eerie Midsommar-style folk horror scene. It was the first day of my three-year-old's inskolning, the introductory period to her new daycare/preschool. Loosely translated as 'schooling in', inskolning has no real translation in English. There's no precise equivalent to it because it is not something typically practiced in the anglophone world. Inskolning refers to the period of starting daycare or preschool, usually a week or two, when parents attend preschool alongside their child in order to ease the transition; get to know the school, staff and other children; and create relationships and attachments to them. As a cultural practice – perhaps even a rite of passage, especially for parents – inskolning is not unique to Sweden; some version of it is practiced in its Nordic neighbors Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland as well. In Sweden, it is not done simply the first time the child moves from being cared for at home to being cared for in the school setting, but every time a child starts at a new school for any reason. Parents have access to paid leave time to participate in inskolning as part of their overall 480 days of paid leave per child. How does it work, exactly? While each preschool in Sweden is connected to the national education plan and its associated National Agency for Education, the individual schools decide how to manage the logistics, which can vary according to age, the child's prior school experiences and local staffing. Generally, though, a first-time inskolning involves a gradual 'ramp up' of the child's independent time at school, starting with short visits and building to a full day of care. The first few days typically involve an hour or two in the late morning, allowing the children to play freely or engage in other activities with the parent close by. As the days progress, the time at school increases, and the parent might move further away or into another room. Meanwhile, the staff gradually step in to take over more of the caregiving, including meal times, toilet visits and napping. As the child adjusts, this time of parental absence continually increases, until reaching the goal of a full day of participation in school routines without parents on-site. At this point, inskolning is considered complete. Parents, teachers and staff typically meet about a month later to discuss the family's transition to their new community. School focuses on the child, but it's not just about the youngsters. According to Susanne, a rector (similar to a principal) of two Swedish preschools, this time period is crucial for creating relationships. 'The first time at preschool is tremendously important: it is a time when the whole family, in fact, should get to know the preschool. It is really the family's and child's first meeting with the essence of education in Sweden. One comes to us as a one-year-old, and then one continues in school all the way up to 20 years old; we think from the perspective of zero to 20 years [here].' That was a foreign concept for me. My husband and I are Americans who moved to Sweden for jobs 10 years ago. We moved briefly back to the United States last year and enrolled our child in daycare there for the first time. We ultimately returned to Sweden, where childcare policies make for a very different life – even if it's not totally the fantasy that many Americans hold about the Scandinavian social safety net. But contrast our daughter's first day of preschool when we lived in the US. We'd visited the school, of course. But we simply dropped her off and went to our jobs. While she happily merged into her new environment – none of the screaming or extreme separation anxiety that can be the painful worst-case scenario – we struggled those first few weeks to feel comfortable leaving her to routines and people we barely knew. US families could benefit from their own version of inskolning, growing a 'village' of non-family caregivers. At my child's Swedish preschool, parents were asked to use the inskolning time in part to personalize the pillowcase their child would use during naptime – symbolizing the stitching into community that inskolning represents (in case you are wondering, sewing is not a usual part of the process). As I sat among the children and caregivers who would be with my child for the better part of each working day, I came to get to know them more deeply than the few minutes at drop-off and pick-up otherwise allow. And they came to know my child, my husband and me. Our daughter was not simply a new face in the classroom but a whole person with a whole life outside school. Multiplied for each child and family, and for each preschool group and teacher, it is easy to see how quickly this very simple process builds connections between home and school worlds. Susanne, the preschool rector (who didn't wish to use her surname), emphasized this aspect of connection: 'It is equally important to us that the adults in the family also get to know the preschool, the routines there, how things work, get to know the teachers – and also the other children – in order to create a connection to the place, the teachers and the children.' Lindsay Baker, an American parent of two and teacher living in Sweden, agrees: her child's US daycare felt like 'a service provided so that you could go to work … It's very nice for the kids [in Sweden] to get used to the school at their own pace. Having worked in schools for my whole career, I think that all preschool-age children wherever they live would likely benefit from this model of making a secure connection between home and school.' As Baker points out, the crucial difference is not a matter of simply a 'fast' or a 'slow' introduction to school. In the US, many Americans privately pay childcare providers directly for a service provided. In Sweden, taxpayers collectively fund a system seen as valuable to society for the secure start it provides to all children, regardless of income or background. Baker notes that best practices in US early childhood education recommend involving parents in some kind of school or home visit at the time of introducing preschool, but that such visits are not typical: 'Often preschools who offer [such visits] are the most coveted and consequently expensive ones. Here [in Sweden] every child and parent begins preschool in the same way.' It might feel luxurious – maybe absurd – to think about implementing inskolning or other family-friendly policies in the US, when oligarchs are dismantling federal systems (including hobbling the Department of Education) at a fast clip. Not to mention that the US lacks national curricular standards for preschool education, national paid parental leave or subsidized childcare systems. That leaves families to navigate a patchwork of initiatives that create tremendous local variance even on the state level. Yet it is perhaps this very decentralized, non-structured structure of the US childcare and preschool space that makes implementing inskolning an experiment that could be adopted by any school that wished to. Americans don't need yet another story lauding a seemingly utopian thing the Nordic countries are doing; we need small, implementable strategies to move our nation towards trust, respect for others and respect for the enormous labor involved in raising emotionally and physically healthy children. I imagine most US childcare providers would enthusiastically embrace more involvement and connection with the families of the children in their care. But Americans are overworked and under-vacationed; they have little time to volunteer for yet another thing. Employers, in turn, would have to value this experience enough to allow workers time off to participate, let alone to participate without taking away from their accrued personal time or other paid leave time (should they even have access to such policies). Implementing this small shift would require a comparatively huge shift in the way US government and cultures think about supporting parents, valuing children and creating secure spaces for them to thrive. Parenting in a system where society supports small children and their caregivers feels self-evident to those in Sweden, embedded in societal infrastructure and therefore impervious to criticism even from the far-right Sweden Democrats who continue to gain political support here. In contrast, parenting in even the most positive environment in the US – in my case, a family-friendly, small college town in a blue state, with a partner with a flexible work schedule – is magnitudes more difficult. Inskolning could reduce this whiplash of difference. Americans in the US deserve the freedom to participate in their child's education without having to worry about losing money or career opportunities. They deserve robust systems of societal support for small children and the people who care for them. Such infrastructure seems incomprehensibly far from reach in this political moment, and yet never more needed to get us out of it.
