Nicole Kidman on her 'intense' connection with Big Little Lies co-star Alexander Skarsgard and why husband Keith Urban was 'shattered, hypnotized and disturbed' by the role
She raised eyebrows when she planted a kiss on the lips of Alexander Skarsgard as he was named winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actor prize at the Emmys in September 2017.
But Nicole Kidman has now opened up on the 'intense' atmosphere on the set of gripping HBO drama Big Little Lies which led to the widely-discussed moment, and how the co-stars 'connected' over 'safety, honesty and raw vulnerability'.
The actress, 50, discussed her role as a domestic abuse victim and revealed why her real-life husband Keith Urban, 50, had a tough time watching the 'disturbing' mini-series in W magazine's annual Best Performances portfolio, shot by Juergen Teller.
Talented: Nicole Kidman discussed her marriage to Keith Urban and her 'connection' with Big Little Lies co-star Alexander Skarsgard in W magazine's annual Best Performances portfolio
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Sealed with a kiss: The actress, 50, raised eyebrows when she planted a kiss on the lips of Skarsgard as he was named winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actor prize at the Emmys
In Big Little Lies, the Oscar-winning star portrays Celeste Wright, a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom, who becomes the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her younger husband Perry, portrayed by Skarsgard, 41.
Speaking about the Emmys kiss, which received widespread attention at the time, Kidman explained: 'Right. There were times on that set when it was intense. But he and I communicated.
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'There had to be such safety and such honesty and such raw vulnerability there that we have a different connection.'
Referencing the co-stars' multiple sex scenes throughout the series, she added: 'So to be able to just give him a kiss, I mean, I’d kissed him many, many times on the set. Much more than that.
'So that was just my way of going, in the moment - we were both shocked and we were like, “Oh, my gosh, I’m so glad you won.” Because I know what he put into that role.
Tough: Kidman opened up on the 'intense' atmosphere on the set of gripping HBO drama Big Little Lies which led to the widely-discussed moment
'And to see him standing up there and to hear his name read out was just, I mean, that was a really brave thing that he did, to was play that person that way.'
The star has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a domestic abuse victim, winning an Emmy in September 2017 and being nominated for Best Actress prizes at the Golden Globes on Sunday and the Critics' Choice Awards later this month.
Kidman also co-produced the drama alongside fellow Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon, 41.
But in spite of the success of the show, which was renewed for a second season in December, the mother-of-two admitted her country music star husband Keith Urban found Big Little Lies deeply disturbing.
'When he watched Big Little Lies he was disturbed', she explained. 'He says that when he hears me scream or cry from a certain place in my soul it's almost like it goes straight into him and he has a visceral reaction immediately.
Harrowing: The actress, 50, discussed her role as a domestic abuse victim and revealed why her real-life husband Keith Urban, 50, had a tough time watching the 'disturbing' mini-series
Big Little Lies: The Oscar-winning star portrays Celeste Wright, a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom, who becomes the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband
'Because his brain and his heart doesn’t discern between acting and real life. They’re the same sounds for him. It throws him.'
The actress, who raises daughters Sunday Rose, nine, and Faith Margaret, seven, with the musician, revealed Big Little Lies wasn't the only project he found hard to watch.
'Keith is an artist. Um, he did have a hard time when he watched The Killing Of A Sacred Deer,' she said. 'He saw it at the Cannes Film Festival and he was sort of hypnotized and shattered by it.'
Kidman explained even she gets 'upset' when she thinks about her role in Big Little Lies, but praised Skarsgard for being 'honest and true' when portraying a domestic abuser.
Hard to watch: In spite of the success of the show, the mother-of-two admitted her country music star husband Keith Urban found Big Little Lies deeply disturbing (pictured in November)
Celeste: The star has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a domestic abuse victim, winning an Emmy in September 2017
She said: 'For me it was really disturbing. I get upset even when I go back into it.'
'He [Skarsgard] never pulled back and he never talked about, never worried about how he was being depicted. He was just very honest and very true to what the story needed.'
Kidman also addressed her route to romance with her husband of 11 years during the tell-all interview, while admitting she was 'not that popular' with the opposite sex when she was growing up.
The couple met in January 2005 and tied the knot in Sydney, Australia, in June 2006.
'I was, like, a really tall, skinny, freckly red-headed girl,' she told the publication. 'I can’t remember my first date. I was, like, not that popular, I have to say.
Happy couple: The couple met in January 2005 and tied the knot in Sydney in June 2006, they now raise daughters Sunday Rose, nine, and Faith Margaret, seven (pictured in October)
Hard going: Kidman revealed her husband was hypnotized and shattered' by her role in The Killing Of A Sacred Deer
Australia's finest: Kidman appeared alongside Margot Robbie on the cover of W magazine
'I remember my first date with Keith. Mm-hmm. Picked me up on a motorbike, took me to Woodstock. My kind of guy. Hey, we’re married! It was a good date.'
Witherspoon and Kidman announced the return of Big Little Lies for a second season last month.
The drama - an adaptation of Liane Moriarty's novel by the same name - was one of the most talked-about series of 2017, bagging eight Emmys and a score of awards season nominations.
The duo, who executive produce the show, will once again be joined by creator and writer David E. Kelley, but will welcome a new director in the form of Academy Award winner Andrea Arnold.
W magazine's Best Performances portfolio was co-produced with British Vogue, photographed by Juergen Teller, styled by Edward Enninful, and cast and written by Lynn Hirschberg.
See the full portfolio at https://www.wmagazine.com/gallery/best-performances-gal-gadot-emma-stone-margot-robbie
Cream of the crop: Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone also featured on one of the six covers, photographed by Juergen Telle
Hug it out: Tom Hanks and Mary J. Blige also featured in the profile piece, styled by Edward Enninful, and cast and written by Lynn Hirschberg
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