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Tranquillum House appears to be the ideal retreat for the nine troubled souls about to take up residence there. The California health and wellness resort boasts beautiful grounds, attentive staff and a superb spa. But is it really all that it seems or does its mysterious proprietor, Masha Dmitrichenko, have more in mind for her guests than ten days of rest and relaxation?

The truth is slowly revealed over the eight episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers, a thriller starring Nicole Kidman as Masha and Melissa Mccarthy and Pembrokeshire Murders actor Luke Evans as guests Frances Welty and Lars Lee.

The series is the latest collaboration between David E Kelley and Nicole, the creator and star of hit dramas Big Little Lies and The Undoing, and is also based on a novel by Big Little Lies writer Liane Moriarty.

Although Frances, Lars and the other guests appear to be connected only by their need for treatment, there’s been a careful selection process behind the scenes, Nicole explains. ‘Lars reveals that Masha takes in less than ten per cent of the people who apply,’ she says. ‘And Napoleon, another guest, explains that he and his wife and daughter are only able to afford to be there because Masha gave them a massive discount. So there is definitely an attempt at engineering, to put certain people with certain other people to create a group of nine, perfect strangers.’

We first meet them as they journey to the retreat. Frances hears by phone that her writing career has hit a bump, while unhappily married Ben and Jessica literally hit a bump in the road in his sports car. Carmel stops off to buy snacks later confiscated by Masha.

Once they’re checked in, we learn more about the guests – and what they’ll be getting up to at Tranquillum House. The Marconi family, Napoleon, Heather and Zoe, have strong, personal reasons to feel upset when they and the other guests are made to lie in grave-like holes they’ve dug for themselves, and think about death. Meanwhile, Tony Hogburn reveals an addiction to painkilling drugs

taken to help him cope with injuries from his time as a pro footballer.

As for the staff, Yao and Delilah seem efficient employees but why do they keep taking blood samples from the guests? And what’s that extra ingredient the kitchen staff are adding to the smoothies? By the end of episode one, Masha has revealed a little more of her intentions, stating, ‘In ten days you will leave Tranquillum

changed in ways you never would have imagined.’

Luke Evans has high hopes for the drama. ‘It’s very different from Big Little Lies and The Undoing; for one thing there’s a strong comedic element to it. But I think its ingredients make for a very tasty cocktail!’

Nine Perfect Strangers, episodes 1-3, from Friday, Amazon Prime.

LARS LEE (Luke Evans) He’s a successful lawyer, but angry texts and an awkward phone call suggest his private life is in a mess. FRANCES WELTY (Melissa Mccarthy) The writer, whose career is in trouble, is seeking some reassurance and friendship.

MASHA DMITRICHENKO (Nicole Kidman) The Russian quit her job as a highflying company executive to set up Tranquillum House after a near-death experience.