Alexander Skarsgård on Playing TV’s Most Hated Husband

Alexander Skarsgård has never shied away from taking on roles that get people talking, but one part in particular left him copping a fair bit of flak. While he’s recently been seen as a leather-clad biker in the queer drama Pillion, it was his stint as Perry in the hit HBO series Big Little Lies that really put him in the firing line. Playing the violent partner of Nicole Kidman’s character, Skarsgård found himself the target of plenty of viewer outrage during the show’s run from 2017 to 2019.

Reflecting on the reaction, Skarsgård admitted,

“Yes, America, I’m sorry. I had no idea how hated I was.”

He shared this on the Remote Controlled podcast, sounding genuinely surprised by the level of animosity. You’d reckon he might have expected a bit of backlash, given the character’s actions and the timing with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum. Still, it seems most punters kept their anger aimed at the character, not the bloke playing him. Other actors who’ve played villains, like Jack Gleeson as Joffrey in Game of Thrones, haven’t always been so lucky.

Portraying Abuse with Grit and Realism

Despite the strong reactions, Skarsgård’s performance brought a confronting realism to the screen. Rather than playing Perry as a one-note villain, he aimed to show the complexity behind such a person.

“I was really intrigued by their relationship, and I thought it was an interesting opportunity to maybe try to play an abusive husband in a way that at least felt real,”

he explained.

“Sometimes I feel like it can be a bit stereotypical and a bit cliché, and this was so rich and so layered.”

It’s no wonder viewers found it tough to separate the actor from the role. The character’s actions were so believable that it struck a nerve, especially for those who’ve seen similar situations in real life. That’s the power of a well-acted part—it can make the audience uncomfortable, but it also shines a light on issues that are often swept under the rug.

Why We Need Characters Like Perry

As hard as it is to watch, roles like Perry’s serve a purpose. They don’t just exist to shock or upset; they reflect the reality many face behind closed doors. By bringing these stories to the screen, actors like Skarsgård help start conversations and, hopefully, make those living through similar experiences feel seen.

There’s a place for both uplifting stories and those that show the world as it really is. Sometimes, it’s the uncomfortable truths that stick with us the most. So while Skarsgård might have felt the need to apologise for how much people despised his character, it’s clear his performance did exactly what it was meant to do—get people talking, thinking, and maybe even understanding a bit more about the world around them.