Claire Danes Breaks Down Why Her Netflix Series The Beast in Me Is ‘a Little Hitchcockian’

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Claire Danes’ latest Netflix series is quickly becoming popular with both critics and viewers. It’s received great reviews and immediately climbed to the top of the charts.

A new eight-episode series centers around an author haunted by her past who develops a strong interest in the person next door. Created by Gabe Rotter and Howard Gordon, known for The X-Files, the show stars Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. Danes recently told People that stepping away from playing the complex character of Aggie was challenging, and described the show’s atmosphere as reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock.

In the film The Beast in Me, Maria Danes portrays Aggie Wiggs, a successful author who withdrew from public view after the loss of her son. When a man named Nile Jarvis moves in next door, Aggie is both repelled and intrigued, seeing him as a potential subject for a new book. Their connection leads to a complex dynamic where she confronts his inner struggles while also trying to escape her own past.

She described how she unwinds after filming, explaining that putting on her jewelry and the drive home help her leave her character behind. She noted that these simple routines feel important, and some days it’s more difficult to disconnect from the role than others.

Danes pointed out that after working in the industry for thirty years, she and her co-star Matthew Rhys have developed effective methods to help them stay grounded and focused.

I was so impressed to hear how much she loves working with her fellow cast members! She mentioned being in great company with Rhys, Natalie Morales, and Brittany Snow on set, and it sounds like everyone really clicked – which is awesome to hear when you’re a movie fan like me!

Danes described how the new story, The Beast in Me, feels reminiscent of a classic Hitchcock thriller. She shared that she particularly enjoyed playing the character of Aggie, finding her a unique blend of traits she hadn’t explored before. Aggie is both very reserved and controlled, yet also possesses a raw, almost primal energy, which Danes found to be a compelling contrast.

The actress explained that the character discovers an unexpected and potentially risky connection with her neighbor. She described the dynamic as reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s work – both elegant and unsettling.

The Beast in Me Could Continue With Season 2

As a film buff, I was surprised to see Netflix revisit the format of a ‘limited series’ again. They just did this with Untamed over the summer – it started as a limited run but was so popular they gave it a second season and turned it into a full series. So, even though The Beast in Me was initially made as a limited series, I wouldn’t be shocked if Netflix decided to expand on it if it performs well.

The same might be true for The Beast in Me. Before the show came out, Howard Gordon, the showrunner and executive producer, hinted at this possibility, saying, “Simply put, yes, I think there’s definitely a story to be told.”

As a movie buff, I’m keeping a close eye on how people are reacting to The Beast in Me. Right now, critics seem to really like it – it’s got a solid 83% rating and that ‘Certified Fresh’ badge! Audiences are giving it a 66%, which is okay, but honestly, it’s only been out for two days, so I expect those scores to change as more people watch and share their thoughts.

This suspenseful limited series is performing very well globally. Currently, it’s the third most-watched series worldwide, and the top series in the United States. On November 15th, it reached the No. 1 spot in 19 different countries, which increases the likelihood of it being renewed for another season.

The Beast in Me is streaming on Netflix.

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2025-11-15 21:38