Nicole Kidman and Maya Erskine are set to star in HBO's adaptation of the French book The Perfect Nanny. Written by Leïla Slimani, the best-selling novel follows a wealthy French-Moroccan lawyer who hires a nanny to care of her young children as she returns to work. First proving to be the quintessential caretaker, the nanny's relationship with the family takes a turn for the worst when she begins to resent their lavish lifestyle. The story is said to have been nabbed by the network during a competitive sale.

Now, The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Kidman and Erskine will star in the HBO adaptation of The Perfect Nanny. Erskine serves as series creator and writer, executive producing alongside Kidman. Erskine's previous credits include the comedy series PEN15, where she served as co-creator and star of the show. The series logline for The Perfect Nanny reads, “A seemingly perfect nanny goes to work for a couple with two young children, but her helpful personality eventually deteriorates into something sinister.”

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Will The Perfect Nanny Live Up To Nicole Kidman's Previous Work On HBO?

The Perfect Nanny Nicole Kidman

Kidman has found success at HBO in two previous series, 2017's Big Little Lies and 2020's The Undoing. Her performance in the limited series Big Little Lies as Celeste Wright earned her a Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actor's Guild Award for Best Actress. In the drama, Kidman played an abused wife and mother to two young children who must fight for custody after being accused of murdering her husband. Based on the logline, it seems The Perfect Nanny could allow Kidman the opportunity to prove her acting skills in a similar role. Confirmed as the series leads, Kidman will star opposite Erskine as an accomplished lawyer, though this time the trouble is coming from someone outside the family, not inside.

Big Little Lies was not only a win with critics but also audiences, garnering impressive viewership numbers for the network. Following Big Little Lies, Kidman starred in The Undoing alongside Hugh Grant, though it did not have the same cultural impact of its predecessor. The Undoing followed Kidman and Grant as a wealthy New York City couple whose life is turned upside down when one spouse is accused of murder. Kidman played a successful therapist in The Undoing, embroiled in controversy. Exploring themes of wealth, social status, and secrets, both Big Little Lies and The Undoing draw comparisons to the upcoming The Perfect Nanny.

However, with all the similarities, there is the question of whether The Perfect Nanny will be too reminiscent of Kidman's previous work at HBO to stand out. Only time will tell, but with Erskine serving as a creator and writer on the show, she could provide a fresh spin on a somewhat repetitive plot line. Best known for her work in comedy, Erskine may have a unique approach to the story that's not overdone or cliché. Plus, HBO is adept at delivering above and beyond what viewers are expecting. While details are being kept under wraps for now, expect more to be revealed as The Perfect Nanny inches towards production.

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Source: THR