Nicola Peltz's Surprise Television Comeback in FX's The Beauty
Nicola Peltz, the wife of Brooklyn Beckham, has made an unexpected return to television screens in the season one finale of FX's body horror series The Beauty. This appearance arrives amidst the ongoing and widely reported estrangement between the couple and the Beckham family.
A Dramatic Role in the Finale
The 31-year-old actress, who recently celebrated her husband's 27th birthday, took on the role of a younger version of Isabella Rossellini's character, Franny. In a pivotal scene, Franny's two sons forcibly inject her with the titular beauty drug, created by her on-screen husband Byron, portrayed by Ashton Kutcher.
While Kutcher's character and their sons have been using the drug to maintain a youthful appearance, Franny had consistently refused the treatment, which rewrites users' DNA to grant stunning features. Peltz's transformation is revealed dramatically later in the episode.
Homage to a Classic Film
For her scene, Peltz wore a bejeweled top and a low-waisted skirt, a look that directly channels Rossellini's iconic outfit from the 1992 film Death Becomes Her. Director Michael Uppendahl confirmed to Variety that this was a deliberate homage, an idea from show creator Ryan Murphy.
'It was Ryan's idea, and as soon as I heard it, I thought it was spectacular,' Uppendahl stated. He noted the jeweled top has recently come back into high fashion, a level of exclusivity fitting for Franny's character.
Emotional On-Screen Confrontation
The episode features a powerful confrontation where Franny unveils her transformation to Byron. 'I feel like a prisoner, trapped inside a body that is not mine,' she tells him, expressing devastation. 'Everything that I have worked for, everything that I have earned, my scars, my stretch marks, the age I owned, taken from me.'
When Byron initially sees her, he asks, 'Franny?' to which she sharply replies, 'Don't ask so f***ing surprised, you smug idiot.' She accuses him and their sons of knowing what they wanted and doing what was necessary to make it happen. Byron, however, admits he is not upset, remarking, 'You're so f***ing hot.' Elsewhere in the finale, his character begins seeking an antidote to reverse the drug's effects.
Peltz's Career and Upcoming Projects
Nicola Peltz is an established actress with roles in The Bates Motel, The Last Airbender, and Transformers: Age Of Extinction. Her most recent television role was in the 2022 miniseries Welcome To Chippendales. She recently wrote, directed, and starred in the 2024 film Lola.
She is now preparing for her lead role in the indie film Prima, where she plays Margo, a prima ballerina. The cast includes Faye Dunaway, Jack Huston, Betty Gabriel, and Mira Sorvino. The film explores the cost of absolute dedication to art as modern changes threaten Margo's traditional ballet company.
Intense Preparation for Prima
Peltz underwent a grueling four-month preparation for Prima, which included:
- An intensive ballet training regimen.
- A strict dietary plan.
- A rigorous fitness routine at the gym.
- A refusal to use any weight loss injections.
This commitment reportedly caused her weight to drop below 100 pounds. A source told The Sun, 'Nicola was committed to getting things exactly right for this role and it just proves her determination and dedication. There was also no way she was ever going to use the fat jab and so she's done the work all herself.'
Personal Life and Family Estrangement
The actress's professional endeavors unfold against a backdrop of personal strain. On Wednesday, she shared a loving birthday tribute to husband Brooklyn Beckham on Instagram, writing, 'Happy birthday baby... I hope all your dreams and wishes come true!' He responded, 'I love you baby girl.' She gifted him 21 personalized iced cakes spelling out 'Happy Birthday Brooklyn.'
However, the couple's relationship with Brooklyn's parents, David and Victoria Beckham, remains fractured. Both parents shared their own birthday tributes to Brooklyn, but these have yet to receive public acknowledgement from their son.
Brooklyn's brother Romeo and his grandparents, Ted and Hilary Beckham, also posted birthday messages. Reports suggest Brooklyn remains in contact with his grandparents but is estranged from his parents. The couple now resides in the United States.
In a lengthy Instagram statement in January, Brooklyn Beckham alleged his parents had tried to sabotage his marriage and prioritized public branding over family relationships. This public airing of grievances has cemented the ongoing family feud, making Nicola Peltz's return to television a notable event intersecting both her career and her high-profile personal life.
