With Homeland’s Claire Danes as the lead, new Netflix thriller The Beast in Me is a tense cat-and-mouse chase between a wealthy man suspected of murdering his missing ex-wife and an author writing a book on the mystery.
The drama unfolds in an affluent neighbourhood in New Jersey, but soon spirals into a chilling tale of murder, infidelity and political sabotage.
Here’s all you need to know about the series.
What is The Beast in Me about?
The latest Netflix crime drama revolves around two neighbours who find themselves entangled in a tense cat-and-mouse game to uncover the truth.
Aggie Wiggs (Danes) is grieving the death of her son and struggling to write the follow-up to her award-winning debut book.
When real estate tycoon – and murder suspect – Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) moves in next door, the pair initially clash but soon find themselves entwined when Aggie makes Nile the subject of her next book.
What seems like an opportunity for Nile’s reputational redemption and Aggie’s next career move turns into turmoil as the pair get caught up in each other’s murky history. Dark secrets come to the surface and loyalties are put to the test.
Did Nile really kill his former wife? Is his new wife as innocent as she claims to be? And will Aggie ever publish the book that could make or break her future?
Who is in The Beast in Me cast?
Claire Danes leads the cast as author Aggie Wiggs, grieving the loss of her teenage son and the end of her relationship. The actress gained international fame for her role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet. Her TV credits include Homeland and The Essex Serpent.
Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason) stars as real estate tycoon Nile Jarvis, suspected of killing his former wife. Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect) plays Nina, Nile’s current spouse.
Natalie Morales (No Hard Feelings) appears as Aggie’s ex-wife, with Deirdre O’Connell (The Penguin, Eddington) as Carol McGiddish, Aggie’s literary agent and trusted friend.
Rounding out the cast is David Lyons (Eat Pray Love) as FBI agent Brian Abbott, Hettienne Park (The Last of Us) as FBI agent Erika Breton, and Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) as Martin Jarvis, Nile’s father.
Hollywood legend Jodie Foster serves as an executive producer on the series.
Where was The Beast in Me filmed?
Production on The Beast in Me took place across New Jersey between September 2024 and January 2025.
Red Bank, a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, was a key filming location. The New York commuter town provided the show with luxury homes and downtown high street backdrops.
Jersey City’s downtown district was used for city scenes, including protests about Nile’s planned property development.
Branch Brook Park in Newark was another filming location. The park has the USA’s largest collection of Japanese flowering trees with more than 4,000 cherry trees.
Other Newark locations included an office building at 33 Washington Street, a car park block on Frelinghuysen Avenue, the National Newark Building on Broad Street, and the Unique Design Menswear store on Branford Place.
Tamaques Park in Westfield, New Jersey also features in the series.
When is The Beast in Me released?
All eight episodes of The Beast in Me are available to stream on Netflix from Thursday, November 13.
Is there a trailer?
Check it out below for a taste of the drama.
Best TV shows of 2025 (so far).
The best Netflix original series to binge.
