Alexander Skarsgård recently opened up about his role in the hit HBO series Big Little Lies and the complex relationship he portrayed with Nicole Kidman’s character, Celeste.
Skarsgård played Perry Wright, a character involved in a deeply abusive marriage with Celeste, and though he had some doubts before taking the role, working with Kidman helped him overcome his nerves.
Skarsgård’s Self-Doubt Before Joining Big Little Lies
In an interview on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast Dinner’s on Me on June 24, Skarsgård admitted that he didn’t enter the role with “complete confidence.”
Despite his nerves, he was drawn to the beautifully written relationship between his character and Kidman’s, and the chance to work with Kidman herself made the opportunity even more exciting.
“I didn’t go into it with complete confidence, or like, ‘Yeah, I can do this,'” Skarsgård confessed. He explained that while he had some self-doubt, the script made the role compelling. “It was just, again, such a beautifully scripted relationship,” he said.
The Privilege of Working with Nicole Kidman
Skarsgård described working with Kidman as a “privilege,” calling her “one of the greatest” and noting that the chance to explore a dark, complicated relationship with her was what truly excited him about the role.
Despite his nerves, Skarsgård found the opportunity to dive deep into the character of Perry and his relationship with Celeste both challenging and rewarding.
Kidman’s Praise for Skarsgård’s Performance
Skarsgård’s performance didn’t go unnoticed by his co-star. During the second season of Big Little Lies, Kidman praised Skarsgård, calling him “the most incredible acting partner.”
She explained that the relationship between their characters was full of “love, violence, shame, denial, betrayal,” and Skarsgård was willing to explore every emotion needed for the role.
“He just completely gave over what was needed for the role,” Kidman said, describing the emotional depth of their characters’ dynamic. She also highlighted his commitment to the show, saying that he was “willing to go there” and that he returned for season two, making the show’s continuation possible.
Skarsgård’s Growing Confidence
Though Skarsgård acknowledged his self-doubt, he also noted that his confidence grew through working on Big Little Lies. “I definitely built up more self-confidence than when I did Generation Kill,” he said. However, he admitted that he still sometimes feels like a “fraud” or an “imposter.”
The Future of Perry Wright in Big Little Lies
While Skarsgård’s portrayal of Perry Wright was central to the story in both seasons one and two, it’s unclear whether he will reprise the role for season three, especially after Perry’s death in the season two finale. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on whether Perry will return, despite how season two concluded.
Big Little Lies is currently available to stream on Max.
