The Undoing: When does it start? What book is it based on? All you need to know about Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant's new drama

By Sophia Moir and Pippa Shawley

The Undoing sees Hollywood A-listers Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant play a couple living a seemingly perfect life in New York - until a violent death changes everything. 

The limited series is written by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and is directed by Susanne Bier, who previously worked on Bird Box and BBC One’s The Night Manager.

From who's in the cast, what book it's based on, to how to watch it in on Sky Atlantic with NOW TV in the UK, we reveal all you need to know about this new psychological thriller... 

When does The Undoing start in the UK?

The mini-series is set to premiere on HBO in the United States on Sunday, October 25.

In the UK, you'll be able to watch it weekly from the very next day - Monday, October 26.

NOW TV customers can watch from the same date with the NOW TV Entertainment Pass.

The Undoing consists of six episodes so the finale will air on Monday, November 30.

What is The Undoing about? What book is it based on?

The Undoing is based on the 2014 novel You Should Have Known by author Jean Hanff Korelitz, which was described as 'smart and devious' by The New York Times, whose book critic also compared it to Gillian Flynn's smash hit thriller, Gone Girl.  

The story sees Nicole Kidman play Grace Fraser, a successful Manhattan therapist. Grace is on the cusp of publishing her first self-help book, You Should Have Known, which admonishes women who lie to themselves about their husbands’ behaviour.

Grace lives the perfect life. She’s married to handsome Jonathan Fraser (Hugh Grant), an acclaimed paediatric oncologist. Jonathan is a doting father to their young son Henry, who attends an elite private school in New York City.

But Grace’s life is plunged into turmoil overnight after a violent death sees her husband go missing and leaves her facing a chain of terrible revelations. 

Horrified that she has failed to follow her own advice, and trapped in a very public disaster, Grace must dismantle one life and create another for her child and herself.

Who are the cast and characters in The Undoing?

The two lead characters, therapist Grace and her husband Jonathan, are played by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.

Four time Oscar-nominated Australian actress Nicole Kidman is best known for Hollywood movie roles including Moulin Rouge!, Cold Mountain and The Hours, but in recent years has been hugely successful in the TV miniseries Big Little Lies.

Like Kidman, Hugh Grant is best known for his movie roles including Love Actually, About a Boy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Paddington 2 and the Bridget Jones's Diary films. 

He's also enjoyed small-screen success, and was nominated for a host of acting awards for his role in the 2018 TV mini-series, A Very English Scandal.

Starring alongside Kidman and Grant is Golden Globe winner Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games, Pride & Prejudice, Trust), who plays Grace’s father Franklin Reinhardt, a retired financier and affectionate grandfather. When turbulent revelations come to light, it’s Franklin’s job to protect his family.

Noah Jupe (Le Mans ‘66) plays Grace and Jonathan’s son, Henry. The cast also includes Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story), Ismael Cruz Cordova (Berlin Station), Matilda De Angelis (Il Premio), Lily Rabe (American Horror Story) and Noma Dumezweni (Mary Poppins Returns).

Where is The Undoing filmed?

The Undoing is set in New York, so a lot of the show is filmed there. The cast shot in Kingston (Ulster County, New York) and New York City in 2019. Manhattan locations include John Finley Walk, 93rd Street and Park Avenue, according to backstage.com.

Watch The Undoing trailer

The Undoing starts Monday, October 26 on Sky Atlantic with NOW TV.

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