The Mark Strong Nine Perfect Strangers finale delivered remarkable closure and new beginnings for its ensemble of retreat guests, culminating in a surprise twist involving David Sharpe. Set in the dramatic landscape of the Austrian Alps and now streaming on Hulu, the last episode challenged both the characters and their portrayers, promising further intrigue beyond the recently aired finale.
After confronting their deep-seated issues through Masha Dmitrichenko’s unusual healing sessions—frequently enhanced by psychedelic experiences—the guests of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers left with changed perspectives and new paths. The season finale aired on July 2, wrapping up the retreat storyline in a location designed for transformation, but not without its share of surprises and emotional breakthroughs.
Character Endings Spark Hope and Renewal
Key character arcs in the closing episode show significant growth and repaired relationships. Wolfie and Tina, grappling with strain throughout their stay, decided to part ways; yet Tina rekindled her passion for the piano, signifying her own rise from despair. Brian, formerly a cherished children’s television host now struggling with his past, bid farewell to the puppet representing his old life. In a positive turn, he formed a connection with Agnes, a compassionate former nun who offered encouragement and support.
A long-standing rift finally healed between Victoria and her daughter Imogen, portrayed by Christine Baranski and Annie Murphy, with both reconciling and Imogen laying out future plans to connect with Peter, an affluent new friend played by Henry Golding. These threads brought emotional resonance and underscored the series’ themes of healing and looking ahead.
David and Masha: Conflict, Closure, and a Twist
While several guests found catharsis, the dynamic between Nicole Kidman’s Masha and Mark Strong’s billionaire David Sharpe reached a new level of complexity. The finale revealed Masha’s secret: her daughter Tatiana, long presumed lost, was also David’s child from a relationship in their past. This revelation provided Masha with emotional healing as she faced loss and acceptance.
Masha’s orchestration of the retreat’s guest list was purposeful. Mark Strong explained,
It’s a fascinating premise that Masha has arranged this group of people knowing that all of them, as you find out in the final episode, have been affected by this guy,
—Mark Strong, Actor. This strategy cast David not only as Masha’s former lover, but as a central figure in the collective trauma of the group, setting the stage for confrontation and possible redemption.
Masha expected accountability from David. In front of the assembled guests, he vowed that his company would halt all weapons manufacturing as a step toward penance. However, Masha soon discovered this was a deception. Turning the tables, she engineered an A.I.-generated video of David making the public announcement for real, catching him unawares and hinting at both her resourcefulness and commitment to honesty.
On-Set Stories: Crafting the Climactic Finale
The series finale moved to an unusual setting for its last scene: a McDonald’s outside Berlin. During interviews, Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong offered a peek into their experience filming there, sharing that the location was isolated yet curiously successful. Kidman expressed the satisfaction of having shot in a genuine, unconventional spot:
But isn’t that great that we can say that we actually were there?
—Nicole Kidman, Actress
Production was complex due to extensive travel and tight scheduling. Only two directors, Jonathan Levine and Anthony Byrne, oversaw the shoot, bringing a cohesive, cinematic feel despite the frequent location changes. The cast found filming in snowy Austrian terrain especially memorable. Strong recalled,
It was great. I was definitely walking barefoot through the snow, it was beautiful. Everywhere you looked when you’re up in the mountains like that, 360 degrees, Austria is a beautiful country. It made the performance element just so easy, because it was breathtaking.
—Mark Strong, Actor
One particularly intense sequence involved an “ice plunge.” While exterior scenes were shot on location, parts involving the actual water immersion took place on a stage to ensure safety. Kidman remarked on the willingness to endure real discomfort for the integrity of the scene, but with clear limits:
Then you lose your foot. So, we’ll do anything for art, but not that.
—Nicole Kidman, Actress.
Cast Chemistry and Character Dynamics
Beyond the show’s scripted drama, the cast reflected on their fast-developing bonds, crucial for building believable relationships on-screen. Strong noted the necessity of creating a sense of shared history swiftly, especially having not previously worked with co-star Henry Golding. Their real-life proximity in London fostered a friendship that translated well into their scenes together.
Kidman and Strong’s prior collaboration in 2014’s “Before I Go to Sleep” provided a familiarity that made their roles easier to embody. Kidman remarked on the comfort that comes from working with a trusted scene partner, reducing the need for lengthy rehearsal and enabling immediate rapport. This ease, according to Strong, played into the depth and realism of their interactions as Masha and David.
The Retreater’s Journey: Forgiveness and Growth
A major theme throughout the series has been transformation through hardship. Masha’s intention for having David present at the retreat was not punishment, but growth and reconciliation. Kidman elaborated on how the show explores the need for forgiveness—not only among the guests, but within themselves. She described Masha’s philosophy as seeking genuine change, acknowledging pain as part of the healing process.
It’s not an Agatha Christie story.
—Nicole Kidman, Actress
Rather than casting blame, Masha saw David as someone most in need of assistance, despite his outward confidence. Strong described his character as initially arrogant and resistant to self-examination, only to be confronted by revelations about fatherhood, relationships, and personal responsibility through the retreat’s trials.
Kidman emphasized that the show does not aim for destruction but for emotional expansion, allowing characters to confront and move past their traumas. The journey involves risk and discomfort, but it is a necessary path for true growth, as evidenced by the group’s voluntary participation and ultimate revelations.
What Might Follow: Speculation on a New Retreat
As the finale drew to a close, the possibility of a continuing story remained open. The evolving relationship between Masha and David, now bound by shared history and unresolved tensions, appears far from finished:
It’s like it’s only just beginning.
—Nicole Kidman, Actress
Looking ahead, both actors reflected on what another season could hold, including the possibility of new settings—from the Alps to an entirely different locale like the jungle, as suggested by Mark Strong. Kidman expressed enthusiasm at the thought of taking the series to even more unexpected places, highlighting the creative flexibility that has kept the story compelling as it shifts locations and emotional stakes.
The Ongoing Appeal of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’
The Mark Strong Nine Perfect Strangers finale underscored recurring series themes—acceptance, truth, and personal evolution—while setting the stage for new conflicts and alliances. As viewers processed the shocking revelations, notably the manipulation involving David’s company and the deeper connection between him and Masha, speculation about a third season intensified.
For now, viewers and cast alike are reflecting on the demanding and rewarding production process, the sweeping Alps, and the intertwined fates of the retreat’s residents. With forgiveness, growth, and unresolved tensions hanging in the air, the future remains ripe with possibilities for both the characters and the audience.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Mark Strong speak German?
A. Mark Strong is well-known for his many nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He is also recognized for being able to speak German.
He spent one year studying German Law at Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany. After that, he went back to England to start his acting career.
Q. What race is Mark Strong?
A. Marco Giuseppe Salussolia, later known as Strong, was born in Islington, London, on August 5, 1963. His mother was Austrian, and his father was Italian. After he was born, his father left the family. Strong’s mother raised him alone while she worked as an au pair.
