Michael Shannon stars as Napoleon Marconi in Nine Perfect Strangers. The new series, which is based on The New York Times bestselling book by Liane Moriarty, is a total of eight episodes and premiered August 18 on Hulu. New episodes release weekly, on Wednesdays.
Nine Perfect Strangers takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation as nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during this 10-day retreat is the resort’s director, Masha, a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine “perfect” strangers have no idea what is about to hit them.
The actor will next be seen in the romantic, coming-of-age drama, Swing as well as Michael Maren’s Shriver. Recently, he wrapped the action thriller Bullet Train. Most notably, Shannon garnered critical acclaim for his Oscar nominated supporting role as John Givings in Revolutionary Road. He continued to receive additional praise for the timely drama 99 Homes, getting nominated for a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice, Gotham Award, and Film Independent Spirit Award on behalf of his performance. The actor also received both an Academy Award and Critics Choice nomination for his role in Nocturnal Animals.
With a very successful career in film, Shannon’s credits include The Shape of Water, Echo Boomers, The Quarry, Knives Out, The Current War, State Like Sleep, What They Had, 12 Strong, Salt and Fire, Wolves, Frank & Lola, Complete Unknown, Elvis & Nixon, The Night Before, Freeheld, The Harvest, The Young Ones, Man of Steel, The Iceman, Premium Rush, Return, Machine Gun Preacher, The Runaways, Bad Lieutenant, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, World Trade Center, Bug, Lucky You, Bad Boys II, 8 Mile, Kangaroo Jack, Vanilla Sky, Pearl Harbor, Cecil B. DeMented, The Missing Person, The Greatest, and My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done.
His work also includes multiple collaborative re-teams with director Jeff Nichols. Recently, he appeared in the drama Loving. Previous collaborations include Hank the Cowdog, Midnight Special, Take Shelter, Mud, and Shotgun Stories.
On television, Shannon can be seen in The Little Drummer Girl, Room 104, Fahrenheit 451, Waco, and Boardwalk Empire. In terms of theater, he was last on stage in Terrence McNally’s final production, the Broadway revival of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. In 2018, he directed the world premiere of Traitor, earning a Jeff Award in the category of Best Director in a Midsize Play.
On Broadway, he is known for Long Day’s Journey into Night, which led Shannon to a 2016 Tony nomination for ‘Supporting Actor’ and 2016 Drama Desk Award for ‘Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play.’ Before that, Shannon was nominated for a 2013 Distinguished Performance Drama League Award for his portrayal of Sam in Grace. He also starred in Craig Wright’s off-Broadway play, Mistakes Were Made, at the Barrow Street Theater, garnering an Outstanding Lead Actor Lortel Award nomination, an Outstanding Actor in a Play Drama Desk Award nomination, an Outstanding Solo Performance Outer Critics Award nomination, as well as a Distinguished Performance Drama League Award nomination.
Additional theater credits include Victims of Duty, Simpatico, Pilgrim’s Progress, Uncle Vanya, Our Town, Lady, The Metal Children, The Little Flower of East Orange, The Pillowman, Bug, Man From Nebraska, Mr. Kolpert, Killer Joe, The Idiot, The Killer, and Woyzeck.
Shannon and I discussed what attracted him to Nine Perfect Strangers, his character’s journey, best piece of wellness advice, and more. Watch my interview below to hear his answers!
