Whirlwind with Nicole Kidman on Apple TV +: The Story of 8 Women in One Series!

Nicole Kidman continues on her way in the series. The Australian actor is a producer and starring in Roar, a new project on the Apple TV + platform. Adapted from Cecilia Ahern’s collection, the fiction focuses on eight stories in search of answers to eight difficult heroine journeys. In this fiction control section we find the creators of the Glow series, Liz Flive and Carly Manch.

A woman who eats photos, another who starts a romantic relationship with a goose, or even a wife who wants to exchange in her husband’s shop … Between drama and black humor, Roar combines genres and offers a real variety of views. On femininity. On the casting side, Nicole Kidman is surrounded by Cynthia Erivo, Merritt Weaver, Alison Brie or even Isa Ray. AlloCine Meet one of the creators, Liz Fly, in the company of several stars of the series.

AlloCiné: Where did the inspiration for this series come from and how did your collaboration with Nicole Kidman go?

Liz Flahive, co-creator Whirls : It all started with Cecilia Ahern’s book, which I discovered with my partner Carly Manch. It was a collection of intriguing stories. Each story had a rather insane title: “A woman who had a bite mark on her body“,”A woman sitting on a shelf“Etc. We wanted to learn the allegories and surrealism of these stories. This allowed us to create a completely different world than we wrote before, as well as Shine for example.

Then we approached Nicole Kidman who was on board. Nicole is someone who always loves to try new and different adventures and is not afraid of anything. When we hesitated because we thought we were going too far, she was the first to oppose us and encourage us to always move forward, as in the history of this woman who has a ‘relationship’ with a duck. Nicole loves everything weird and annoying. She was the ideal partner for this extraordinary series. While the typical female audience usually prefers simple, accessible stories, Nicole has allowed us to break down these “codes” to offer a completely surprising program that speaks candidly about women.

Cynthia Erivo: This is a completely different format than we are accustomed to in each episode, in which a woman participates in a completely different situation each time. The dark humor that is in the middle of the writing was also invaluable to me. I also liked the fact that this series was made almost entirely by women, from the beginning of writing to directing. I think this is a unique series created by women and for women.

Despite the whimsical and unusual tone of this series, I think every woman can understand what the characters of each episode experience.

Merritt Weaver: What inspired me to embark on this adventure is the fabulous creative duo of producers Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch. I liked their series Shine. Then I worked with them on Nurse Jackie. So it was a good reunion Whirls. Especially since Lizzie has moved on to directing and I love her style. And then how do I resist the idea of ​​doing a story where I have a relationship with a duck. Absolutely surprising!

Alison Brie: How nice it was to find Liz and Carl, with whom I had a fabulous experience when we shot the Glow series. I could not refuse to work with them. I like that their focus is mainly on emphasizing the existence of different people. Despite the whimsical and unusual tone of this series, I think every woman can understand what the characters of each episode experience. Unfortunately, I did not work with Nicole Kidman, who filmed her episode in Australia, but I appreciated the flowers she sent and the kind words and thanks.

What does the term mean? “R.Oh” ?

Liz Fly: This is not a concept at all “Woman power“, Even if it is partially in the TV series. I believe that here we want to show that first and foremost, women want to be heard and listened to everything they have to say. Even if they look difficult, women want to understand because of this difficulty. This is what we find in every series we produce. We are not looking for an easy solution or explanation to this difficulty, but for a sincere and straightforward approach. The challenge was to shoot a TV series that, like women, “whirl” in everyday life to express their status as a woman loudly and clearly.

Merritt Weaver: I like that all these women are placed in absurd or unusual circumstances to explore the very human feelings that are common to all women. I think that Whirls Expresses all of humanity that is within us. I have not had a whirlwind moment lately, but I think I really need it! Especially since this series was my first experience after the Covid crisis. I have not participated in anything for a long time. It was good for me to go back to work and rediscover social fabric.

Sometimes we need a blast to release all the energy inside us and remind the world that we exist.

Cynthia Erivo: I have a moment for me “WhirlsWhen we are going to express something in ourselves after holding that emotion for a long time. It is important in life to be able to completely release your heart and bring all emotions, positive or negative, to the surface. I think we can one moment “Whirls” Almost every day.

Five Stewarts: For me it is a message for women to listen and see everything they have to offer. It shows what difficulties we women go through at certain moments of our existence. I had a moment last time “roar” There was a time when my boyfriend had to change tires and the guy who had to do the work was driving him. I thought I was going to blow up!

Alison Brie: I have a moment almost every month “Whirls“. To me it means giving yourself the right to shout what is hidden in you. This will allow you to undoubtedly get rid of your inner frustrations. Sometimes we need a blast to release all the energy inside us and remind the world that we exist. Finally, this series shows how important it is for all women to find our voice and way of life. And that sometimes it is not easy to get there.

Interview with Emmanuel Iter, Los Angeles, April 2022.

Whirls Available on Apple TV +.