Since her breakout performance in “I Am Sam” and her unforgettable turn opposite Denzel Washington in Tony Scott’s “Man on Fire,” Dakota Fanning has long been part of the cinematic conversation. Her early work showcased a naturalistic poise and intensity far beyond her years, and yet somehow, it feels like her most fascinating performances may still be ahead of her. Her latest role as Abby Winbury in Netflix’s adaptation of “The Perfect Couple” makes that case convincingly.
Based on the bestselling novel by Elin Hilderbrand, the limited series unfolds against the backdrop of an extravagant Nantucket wedding disrupted by murder. Fanning plays Abby, the seemingly sweet but increasingly unhinged bride-to-be, whose actions ultimately prove more shocking than the wedding-day body discovered on the beach. The show, directed by Susanne Bier and starring Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, and Jack Reynor, balances sun-drenched prestige with sharp-edged commentary, creating the kind of addictive mystery that dominated water cooler conversations.
While Fanning has played complex characters before, Abby allowed her to lean into darker and more chaotic instincts. “I loved getting to play one of the most unlikable characters and relish in her unlikability,” she tells Awards Focus. “Obviously unlikable characters don’t usually know they’re unlikable, so I got to play some of the exaggerated moments with a straight face, which was quite fun.”
That tonal balance, between outlandish comedy and psychological tension, is a hallmark of the show and a challenge Fanning navigates with striking clarity. In a cast full of scene-stealers, her performance lingers the longest. It’s a reminder that Fanning’s evolution as an actor has never been about reinvention, but deepening range.
Fanning spoke with Awards Focus about reuniting with director Susanne Bier, finally working alongside Nicole Kidman, and finding empathy inside the mind of a murderer.
Awards Focus: It’s so nice to talk to you. It’s been since September when the show “The Perfect Couple” came out, but looking back on the role of Abby Winbury, what initially drew you to the role?
Dakota Fanning: Well, I had worked with Susanne Bier before, and I just absolutely loved her. She knew that I would pretty much do anything she ever asked of me. She called me and told me—I didn’t even know what the show was called or anything about the book. I knew Nicole [Kidman] was involved, I knew Suzanne was involved, I knew it was set around a wedding weekend in Nantucket, and that my character was pregnant. I also knew the kind of twist at the end and what part my character was playing. That was all I knew. And I was like, I will do it. I will absolutely do it. And then slowly the rest of the cast came together. And so that was very exciting. Eve Hewson is one of my close friends in actual life, so I was thrilled to work with her. It ended up being one of the greatest filming experiences I’ve ever had. The reaction to the show was so fun to witness—friends, family, and strangers all telling me how much they enjoyed it. I’m really excited I got to be a part of it.
AF: It sounds like you weren’t necessarily familiar with the source material or hadn’t read the book prior?
Fanning: I hadn’t up to the point of making the show. Suzanne was spewing facts, and I was trying to keep up. I hung up and was like, what’s it called? I didn’t even ask.
AF: So at what point did you know the ending was going to be different—specifically in terms of how your character commits the crime?
Fanning: Yeah, when I read the scripts and got ahold of the book. I was super excited to play this wacky woman. The show is a family story set in a world we recognize, but the tone is exaggerated and very specific. It was fun to find that tone and lean into the outlandish things accepted in our version. Abby is a character who gets to say things most people don’t say out loud. It was fun to be a part of the exaggerated moments, and of course getting to be one of the key factors in the mystery was super fun too.
AF: You’ve played nuanced characters before, but you don’t often play the baddie. Was that part of the attraction?
Fanning: Yeah, I loved getting to play one of the most unlikable characters and relish in her unlikability. Obviously unlikable characters don’t usually know they’re unlikable, so I got to play some of the exaggerated moments with a straight face, which was quite fun. Abby was a bit of a departure for me, but I was excited to surprise people and surprise myself a little bit.
AF: You’ve been doing this for over two decades. When you take on a role like Abby, are you drawing from past experience or creating something new each time?
Fanning: I’m always looking to do something different, something I haven’t done before or that people haven’t seen me do. I’m also always looking to have a good time and work with people I admire. That was the main reason for doing this. I got super lucky that Abby was a juicy character, but I would’ve played anyone in the show just to work with Suzanne again and to work with Nicole. I hadn’t worked with Nicole before—my sister knows her quite well—and I was excited to finally get to do that. It just so happened I got to play one of the fun characters, and it was something new for me.
AF: You mentioned you hadn’t worked with Nicole before. What was that experience like?
Fanning: She is one of a kind and such an icon. She seems to defy the laws of time and space by how much she is able to accomplish. It’s awe-inspiring to watch her dedication. She’s constantly pushing herself, always warm and kind, and totally down for anything on set. It’s wonderful to see someone still so adventurous after so many years. She’s also so funny—a really good time. We had a blast. Everyone wanted to be on their best behavior for Nicole. All the guys were like, “Nicole’s coming today!”
AF: The show looks like it was shot on location in Cape Cod?
Fanning: Yeah, we shot in Cape Cod. A little bit in London and LA, but just briefly. Majority was in Cape Cod. It was like a really fun summer camp. We had our little houses, hung out at each other’s places, went whale watching, had oysters—it was a beautiful experience.
AF: Did immersing yourself in that environment influence your performance?
Fanning: I think so. Just the way people dress, the summer vibe, the contrast between locals and seasonal visitors—it all felt very authentic. It helped inform our performances. We filmed in a stunning home, and it’s always helpful when you shoot in the area the story takes place. It adds so much.
AF: What do you think makes audiences so obsessed with watching rich white people behave badly?
Dakota Fanning: I think it scratches a part of our brain. Like my character, who says things you’re not supposed to say out loud. Seeing heightened characters let loose and not conforming to the rules—it’s fun. It’s like reality television in a way. Each character in “The Perfect Couple” has their own outrageous quality, and the dynamic is entertaining.
Awards Focus: One of my favorite Abbly lines I think is in episode five when your character says, “If they have a problem with me packing up [the victim’s] things, then they can arrest me. But they won’t. Because I’m a white woman.” Do you have a favorite line or scene from the show?
Dakota Fanning: I loved the line during one of the interrogation scenes about the guy who was filthy rich and five foot six—I’m sure they were very much in love. It was such a fun line to say. I also loved the cake fight with Jack Reynor and Billy. That was a blast. The dinner scene with the whole cast was fun too.
Awards Focus: Were a lot of people in your life trying to guess the ending? Did you keep it secret?
Dakota Fanning: Yes, I didn’t tell friends and family I was part of the ending. It was fun to see them try to figure it out. Some guessed it, others didn’t. I haven’t been part of something where people in my life were that into it—it was really fun.
Awards Focus: What did you think of the decision to make Abby an intentional murderer versus an accidental perpetrator?
Dakota Fanning: I think it made the role more fun to play. When you play a character, you can’t think of them as a bad person. Abby has the weight of her future on her shoulders. She feels this person is a threat. Her husband’s cheating on her, she’s unsupported, and she sees it as an act of survival—twisted and wrong, but in her mind it’s love for her unborn child. It’s like a warped reality. The tone allowed for both serious interpretation and juicy entertainment. The truth lies somewhere in between.
Awards Focus: You’ve done both film and limited series lately, with “Ripley” and this. Are you drawn to one more than the other?
Dakota Fanning: I like both. Filming a limited series is like filming a long movie. I love making film and television, and I’m drawn to working with great people—directors, writers, actors. That’s what fuels me, regardless of format.
Awards Focus: You’ve been acting for over 20 years. How do you avoid burnout?
Dakota Fanning: I don’t know, I’ve just lived my life. I have a wonderful family and fulfilling life outside of work. I’ve worked with people who cared about me. I’ve never burned out from loving acting. Of course, you have moments where you’re tired and need a break, but I know myself and my limits. I’ve always felt free to do what I need for myself. Then something fun comes up and I’m ready again. I try not to overthink it.
Awards Focus: Are you surprised people still talk about films you did over 20 years ago?
Dakota Fanning: I am. It’s lovely to hear. You never know what someone will recognize you from. Sometimes they surprise me. It’s always nice.
Awards Focus: Do you feel connected to that version of yourself, like the little girl in “Man on Fire”?
Dakota Fanning: Totally. I can picture being in that car in Mexico City with Denzel, Tony Scott next to the camera—I remember it all. I still feel connected to those experiences. It’s meaningful when people say how much those movies meant to them.
Awards Focus: Thank you so much. It was wonderful to meet you, and congratulations on the show.
Dakota Fanning: Thank you so much. Nice to see you.