Netflix show's opening credits branded 'most stupid in TV history' as story behind scene finally revealed

Warning: Contains spoilers for The Perfect Couple on Netflix

Netflix's latest crime drama, The Perfect Couple, has left viewers utterly baffled with its recurring dance number. One fan even went as far as to call it the "most stupid opening scene in the history of TV".

The six-episode series, based on Elin Hilderbrand's best-selling novel, follows the story of Amelia Sacks (played by Eve Hewson) who is set to marry into the wealthy Winbury family, represented by her fiance Benji Winbury (Billy Howle), at their luxurious Nantucket estate.

But the discovery of a dead body on the beach throws the nuptials into chaos and uncovers some sinister family secrets. The official synopsis teases: "Amelia is about to marry into one of the wealthiest families on Nantucket, until a shocking death derails the wedding - and turns everyone into a suspect."

The show boasts an A-list cast including Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, Liev Schreiber (known for Scream, The Omen), Meghann Fahy (of The White Lotus fame), and Jack Reynor (from Midsommar), reports Wales Online .

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Yet, it's the bewildering opening sequence that's stealing the spotlight as a choreographed dance to Meghan Trainor's track Criminals is performed by the entire cast on the beach. This peculiar choice is featured at the beginning of each episode, and while it has become a hit with some fans, it has equally left others perplexed.

Why is there a dance in The Perfect Couple?

The creators of The Perfect Couple originally intended to include a surreal dance number in a nightmare scene in Episode 5, as explained by the show's producers. This eerie setup would have had Merritt (portrayed by Fahy) questioning Amelia (played by Hewson) about her murderer while water poured out of her eyes.

However, logistical challenges led to this being axed but executive producer Gail Berman, driven by her previous success with Wednesday's memorable dance sequence featuring Jenna Ortega, pushed for a musical moment in this series as well.

"We thought that was really fun, so that was kind of in our minds," showrunner Jenna Lamia mentioned in conversation with Netflix's Tudum, adding: "Though this is a very different show, of course, tonally."

Susanne Bier, the director, curated the perfect tune for the show in Meghan Trainor's song Criminals and praised how its lyrics paralleled the narrative. She believed that the song encapsulated the series' unique blend of heightened reality and entertainment.

"It puts the show in a very definite space of, 'This is a slightly heightened reality and as an audience, you can allow yourself to have fun and enjoy it'," she shared with Tudum.

Meghan Trainor has now incorporated Criminals into her live concert line-up following the show's success on the streamer.