The cast of “The Perfect Couple” was ready to revolt when Susanne Bier, the director, decided the opening credits needed a dance routine. It was the kind of idea that could make grown men twitch—like throwing a flash mob into a murder mystery.
Image credit: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Netflix
The show, a Netflix adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, was built around the investigation of a body found during a wedding among the highbrow Winbury clan. Secrets were going to surface like bodies in the harbor. But instead of shadows and whispers, it opened with Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, and Liev Schreiber moving like they had a score to settle with the sand, all to a Meghan Trainor tune.
The Perfect Couple’s Dance Sequence: A Bold Opening Choice
What’s a wedding without a dance? Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) and Benji Winbury (Billy Howle) were about to find out. Their wedding weekend in “The Perfect Couple” had all the trimmings: a grand Nantucket estate, a guest/cast list full of names that could buy their way out of trouble, and a flash mob dance routine mapped out by a hotshot choreographer named Charm La’Donna.
Why Meghan Trainor’s ‘Criminals’ Was the Perfect Song Choice
The whole cast moved in step to a Meghan Trainor tune called “Criminals” — a number that fit the scene better than anyone cared to admit. It was supposed to set the mood, paint a picture of seaside elegance and highbrow style. But when a dead body washed up on the shore, it tore a hole right through Greer Garrison Winbury’s (Nicole Kidman) perfect plans, leaving a stain even the ocean couldn’t wash clean.
The Origin of the Dance Routine
The dance idea? That was Gail Berman’s brainchild. She’d done it before—made a routine go viral on “Wednesday” with Jenna Ortega’s steps to “Goo Goo Muck.” This time, she had a hunch it could happen again. Bier, the director, was looking for the right tune when she stumbled onto Meghan Trainor’s “Criminals.” The beat had a way of sinking its teeth in, and the lyrics didn’t waste time, repeating, “Call us criminals, criminals.” It was a taunt, a tease—made you wonder, made you ask, “Who’s guilty? Who’s not?” The song was trouble wrapped in a catchy chorus, and Bier loved it.
A Change in Plans
According to TUDUM, the dance wasn’t always meant for the opening. Originally, it was set for a different scene, a nightmare at the start of Episode 5 that never saw the light of day. In the dream, Amelia and Merritt are on the beach, talking about the future, Amelia all smiles over Benji’s proposal. Then Merritt asks, “Hey, who do you think did this?” and suddenly water pours out of her eyes, her mouth—like a cracked fountain. The dance was supposed to be woven into that fever dream, but production had other ideas. Too much trouble to shoot, they said, so they changed course.
They taught the cast the new routine in a matter of days. Bier told La’Donna she wanted it to have a “Saturday Night Fever” feel. Easy for some, but for others? Not so much. Sam Nivola, the kid playing Will, the youngest of the Winbury clan, said a few of them felt like they’d been tossed into deep water without a life jacket. They were “so intimidated,” he called it.
Some Cast Members Thrived
Ishaan Khatter, playing the groom’s best friend, Shooter Dival, took to the dancing like a fish to water. He wasn’t shy about showing off his moves, and for him, the dance sequence was a fitting curtain call—the last scene they shot as a cast. Detective Nikki Henry, played by Donna Lynne Champlin, and Michael Beach’s Police Chief Dan Carter sat this one out, but you could tell they regretted it.
Bier didn’t want it looking like another TikTok dance, though that’s what they called it on set. But she wasn’t about to let the fun slip past, so she joined in, too. You can catch her moves if you stick around after the credits roll on Episode 6. The whole thing was strange, offbeat, unexpected. Just like the show. And that’s exactly how Lamia liked it.
Conclusion
The dance sequence in The Perfect Couple adds a playful, unexpected layer to the show’s darker, mystery-driven plot. What began as a risky creative decision evolved into a memorable opening that captures both the elegance and chaos at the heart of the story. By merging Meghan Trainor’s catchy tune with a meticulously choreographed routine, the cast and crew embraced the challenge, blending highbrow wedding aesthetics with a flash of unorthodox fun. This bold choice sets the tone for a series that thrives on surprises, leaving viewers intrigued not just by the mystery, but by its lively presentation as well.
FAQs
Q1: Why was there a dance sequence in The Perfect Couple’s opening credits?
The dance sequence was added to create a playful, unexpected contrast to the show’s darker, mystery-driven plot. It set the tone for the series by blending elegance with fun, reflecting the chaotic yet highbrow world of the Winbury family.
Q2: What song did the cast dance to in the opening credits?
The cast danced to Meghan Trainor’s song “Criminals,” chosen for its catchy beat and lyrics that fit the theme of hidden guilt and mystery within the show.
Q3: Was the dance routine always meant to be in the opening credits?
No, originally the dance was planned for a nightmare scene in Episode 5. However, production challenges led to the decision to repurpose it for the opening sequence.
Q4: What was the significance of the dance in the context of the show?
The dance sequence juxtaposes the show’s murder mystery plot with an unexpected moment of levity. It symbolizes the underlying tension in a seemingly perfect wedding and hints at the hidden secrets and chaos to come.
Amit Gupta is a 2015 graduate of RTU in Rajasthan, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at News article, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on entertainment, Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to listen to music and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.
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