Nicole Kidman (58) Reveals the Unexpected Skill She Learned for Her Latest Role

Nicole Kidman has earned a reputation for completely immersing herself in her roles, a commitment that often blurs the line between fiction and reality. Whether she is enduring psychological stress for a thriller like Babygirl or spending months in the mindset of a detective for 2018’s Destroyer, she is known for going to extremes.

For her most recent project, the actress has taken her preparation a step further by learning a grisly and highly technical skill. During an appearance on The Tonight Show on March 2, the actress shared that she has developed a surprising proficiency in forensic science.

“I can do an autopsy,” she told host Jimmy Fallon while discussing her role in the new series Scarpetta. In the show, she portrays the legendary medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a character known for her clinical precision and deep understanding of the human body.

When asked if she had adopted a method acting approach for the part, she confirmed that she had spent significant time with a professional medical examiner. She explained that she learned the specific procedures required for a postmortem examination and is now familiar with the internal workings of the human anatomy.

“I can remove all the organs. I can name them all,” she stated confidently during the interview. The actress even joked that she was prepared to demonstrate her new skills on a prosthetic body during the late-night segment.

“I can remove the lungs and the liver and the gallbladder and the intestines,” she added, highlighting just how much information she had absorbed. This level of dedication is a hallmark of her career, as she often views herself as a character actor rather than a traditional movie star.

She previously spoke about how this intense focus can affect her personal life, especially during her five-month stint as a surly police officer for the film Destroyer. She admitted that her partner at the time was not particularly fond of how deeply she sank into that specific persona.

“My husband was like, ‘I cannot wait for this thing to end,’” she recalled during a 2018 interview. “I stayed in character the whole time.” Her new series, Scarpetta, is a massive production for Prime Video and is officially premiering today, March 11.

The show is based on the famous book series by Patricia Cornwell and features a powerhouse cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays the doctor’s sister, Dorothy. Other notable stars in the ensemble include Bobby Cannavale as Detective Pete Marino and Ariana DeBose as the tech-savvy Lucy.

Beyond the launch of this mystery series, the actress has an incredibly busy schedule ahead for the rest of the year. She is set to co-chair the Met Gala this May alongside Beyoncé and Venus Williams, a role that places her at the center of the fashion world.

Additionally, she is currently developing a sequel to her cult classic practical magic with Sandra Bullock, and will soon be starring in the new series titled Margo’s Got Money Troubles.

Her personal life has also been a topic of recent news, as she officially finalized her divorce from country singer Keith Urban in January. Despite the major life change, she has remained focused on her work and her daughters, Sunday and Faith.

She has been maintaining her status as one of the hardest-working figures in the industry. With several more projects like the thriller Discretion on the horizon, her fans will have plenty to watch in the coming months.

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