WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Elin Hilderbrands bookThe Perfect Coupleand all six episodes of NetflixsThe Perfect Couple.
Theres nothing like summer on Nantucket lobster, beach days, and… murder?
While the broad strokes of the story (and the killer!)
Eve Hewson as Amelia Sacks, Sam Nivola as Will Winbury, Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury, Billy Howle as Benji Winbury, Liev Schreiber as Tag Winbury, Dakota Fanning as Abby Winbury, Jack Reynor as Thomas Winbury.Seacia Pavao/Netflix
Read on as we break down the biggest changes betweenThe Perfect Couplebook and show.
First up: The main character in the book is named Celeste Otis.
The novels Celeste is described as blond, shy, and reserved.
Billy Howle as Benji Winbury, Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury, Sam Nivola as Will Winbury, Jack Reynor as Thomas Winbury.Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Netflix
But well get to that later.
The Windbury family looks quite different in the show.
The character of Will (Sam Nivola), the Windburys youngest, doesnt exist in the book.
Eve Hewson as Amelia Sacks, Meghann Fahy as Merritt Monaco.Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Netflix
Shes described as having a Southern accent, red hair, and comes from her own generational wealth.
She is also pregnant in the book, and its revealed that shes suffered several miscarriages.
Shes also just as suspicious of Thomass cheating in the book.
Ishaan Khattar as Shooter Dival, Sam Nivola as Will Winbury, Isabelle Adjani as Isabel Nallet, Jack Reynor as Thomas Winbury, Liev Schreiber as Tag Winbury.Liam Daniel/Netflix
In the book, we get tons of backstory on Merritt (Fahy) and her relationship with Tag.
One of the founders of that firm preyed on Merritt, forcing her into an inappropriate relationship with him.
When his wife (who happened to be theothercofounder) discovered this, Merritt was fired and blacklisted.
Eve Hewson as Amelia Sacks.Netflix
Thats how Merritt came to work at the zoo, where she met Celeste.
The breakup devastates Merritt, who just learned she was pregnant.
The local police team
Michael Beachs Chief of Police Dan Carter is Ed Kapenash in the book.
Donna Lynne Champlin as Nikki Henry, Michael Beach as Dan Carter.Liam Daniel/Netflix
The Kapenash character appears in several of Hilderbrands novels set in Nantucket.
And Detective Nikki Henry doesn’t exist in the book.
Kapenash goes to Nick when he needs to get someone to talk.
Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury.Courtesy of Netflix
(The dramatic book launch scene in episode 5 doesnt exist in the book.)
After Merritts death, however, she pretty much gives up on finishing it.
The family is completely shocked by this news much like readers of the book will be.
Dakota Fanning as Abby Winbury.Seacia Pavao/Netflix
She regrets it, and goes in to retrieve the ring.
The Perfect Coupleis streaming now on Netflix.
