This is the true ending of the book The Perfect Couple, quite different from its adaptation

Netflix’s latest thriller, The Perfect Couple, brings the glamour and secrets of Nantucket to the screen in a thrilling murder mystery. Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 novel, the series follows Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) and her fiancé Benji Winbury (Billy Howle), whose dream wedding turns into a nightmare. When maid of honor Merritt Monaco (Meghann Fahy) is found dead on the morning of the wedding, all of the guests become suspects.

From Benji’s wealthy and well-known family to the couple’s closest friends, everyone falls under suspicion. The Winburys, with their wealth and fame, quickly become the focus of media attention as police investigate their private lives. This includes crime writer Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), her husband Tag (Liev Schreiber) and the entire bridal party. As viewers follow the mystery, they uncover a web of family secrets, betrayal and dangerous consequences.

Changes between the novel and the series

While The Perfect Couple follows the book closely, showrunner Jenna Lamia and director Susanne Bier added several dramatic twists that may surprise fans of the novel. Here’s a look at how the series differs:

1. Merritt’s death is not an accident

In Hilderbrand’s novel, Merritt’s death is an accident caused by a mix-up. Abby (Dakota Fanning) gives Merritt a drink laced with a sleeping pill, thinking it was for someone else. Merritt accidentally drowns while swimming at night. However, in the Netflix series, the situation is much more intense. Merritt’s death is not an accident – Abby deliberately poisons her with euthanasia pills. Her motive is financial, not personal. Merritt’s pregnancy could prevent Abby from accessing the family trust fund, so she takes drastic measures.

2. Justice is done in the series

While Merritt’s death is ruled an accidental drowning in the novel, the series sees Abby dealing with the consequences. She is arrested, which closes the mystery. However, in the book, Greer privately deduces Abby’s role in the death, but decides to keep it hidden, preserving the family’s reputation.

3. A name change for the leader

The bride-to-be, who was named Celeste Otis in the book, becomes Amelia Sacks in the series. This change is a nod to Nicole Kidman’s iconic role as Celeste in Big Little Lies. Lamia wanted to avoid confusion among viewers, so she changed the character’s name and kept her pivotal role.

4. Greer’s scandalous past

The show explores Greer’s past in more detail, which adds extra drama. In the series, Greer admits that she used to be a high-profile escort and that her husband Tag was once one of her clients. This part of her story isn’t in the book, but it adds more mystery to her character on the show.

5. New character additions

Will Winbury (Sam Nivola), the youngest of the Winbury brothers, is a character created entirely for the series. His presence explains Abby’s motive for killing Merritt. Without Will, the financial interests surrounding the Winbury trust fund would not exist.

6. A completely different ending

In the final pages of the book The Perfect Match, Merritt’s accidental drowning is described from her own point of view, revealing how she died since no one was with her at the end. In the show, after Abby is arrested for the murder, the story jumps forward six months. Amelia has left the Winburys and Nantucket and is now working at the London Zoo. There, Greer surprises her with a visit. Greer says she has written a book about Amelia, but will only publish it if Amelia agrees. She admits that she did not like Amelia before, but now she respects her. Finally, Greer asks Amelia if she would like to be her friend.