David Farnor | On 16, Apr 2019

“We’re kidding ourselves if we think people will stop talking…” That’s the sound of Big Little Lies returning for a second season, and a new trailer gives us a taste of what’s in store.

HBO’s miniseries, created by David E. Kelley and based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, proved a stellar hit in 2017, not least thanks to its star-studded cast that includes Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern. In fact, the hit was so stellar that HBO has since upgraded it from a limited series to a full-on serial, with a second season officially confirmed last year – helped no end by Season 1’s impressive awards haul, which included 4 Golden Globes, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards and 8 Emmys.

Season 2 promises to explore the malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and the vicious ferocity of sound parenting. Kelley has written all seven episodes, partly based on a story by Moriarty, with Britain’s own Andrea Arnold at the helm for each chapter.

And, in front of the camera, it’s about to get even more star-studded, with Meryl Streep joining the ensemble as Mary Louise Wright, a woman who is concerned for the well-being of her grandchildren after Season 1’s events. See the cast in action in the new video:

 

First image lands from Big Little Lies 2

10th January 2019

The first image has been released from Season 2 of Big Little Lies.

HBO’s miniseries, created by David E. Kelley and based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, proved a stellar hit in 2017, with a star-studded cast that includes Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. In fact, the hit was so stellar that HBO has since upgraded it from a limited series to a full-on serial, with a second season officially confirmed last year – helped no end by Season 1’s impressive awards haul, which included 4 Golden Globes, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards and 8 Emmys.

Meryl Streep will join the cast for Season 2 as Mary Louise Wright, a woman who is concerned for the well-being of her grandchildren after the events of Season 1. She will join Witherspoon and Kidman, who can be seen in the first picture from the set of Season 2, alongside Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern, in a police line-up wearing their clothes from the end of the first season.

Season 2 will expand beyond Moriarty’s source material, with Kelley reportedly having written all seven episodes already, partly based on a story by Moriarty. HBO has teased that it will explore the “malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting”.

Little else is known about the drama’s sophomore run, although we know that Britain’s own Andrea Arnold will direct all seven parts. THR has also confirmed that Twitter will be streaming an aftershow for each episode in collaboration with The Ringer.

“Television superfans live on Twitter which makes it the perfect place for The Ringer’s post-show series,” Kay Madati, global vp and head of content partnerships at Twitter, commented. “Now, they’ll be able to continue the conversation with more Game of Thrones and Big Little Lies content on Twitter, and there is no one better than The Ringer to bring their expert analysis and insights to the dialogue right after the programs end and the discussion heats up.”

There is no confirmed release date yet for Season 2, but Nicole Kidman recently told The Wrap that they are “looking at June” for a potential premiere.

“We’re still in the midst of editing it,” she added, “but, um, thanks for asking’ ’cause we’re glad that people are excited about it.”

Not seen Big Little Lies? The whole of Season 1 is currently available on Sky Box Sets – or, if you don’t have Sky, on NOW, as part of a £7.99 monthly subscription, with no contract and a 7-day free trial. Read our review of Season 1 here.

 

 

Meryl Streep joins Big Little Lies Season 2

25th January 2018

Meryl Streep has signed on to star in Season 2 of Big Little Lies.

HBO’s miniseries, created by David E. Kelley and based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, has been a stellar hit, with a star-studded cast that includes Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. That star power paid off in dividends, with the series taking home 4 Golden Globes, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards and 8 Emmys. Now, it’s upping that wattage for its second run, with none other than awards queen herself, Meryl Streep.

Streep will play Mary Louise Wright, a woman who is concerned for the well-being of her grandchildren after the events of Season 1. She will join Witherspoon and Kidman, who are the only members of the cast currently confirmed to return for the sophomore run.

Her casting arrives just as she earns her 21st Oscar nomination for her role in The Post. She is no stranger to TV, though, making a rare small screen appearance in HBO’s adaptation of Angels in America.

Season 2 will expand beyond the original source material, with Kelley reportedly having written all seven episodes already, partly based on a story by Moriarty. HBO promises that it will explore the “malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting”.

Indeed, THR notes that the parents of Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz) are expected to appear in Season 2. You can be sure that the darkness of Season 1 will be going nowhere, though, with HBO teasing that “relationships will fray, loyalties will erode [and] the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom”.

Kelly, Kidman, Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea, Jean-Marc Vallée, Nathan Ross and Gregg Fienberg will exec produce the show, alongside Andrea Arnold, who will direct all seven parts.

 

Big Little Lies will return for Season 2 with Andrea Arnold at the helm

9h December 2017

Big Little Lies will return for Season 2, HBO has announced, with Andrea Arnold at the helm.

The limited series premiered on HBO in early 2017 and arrived on Sky Atlantic in the UK shortly afterwards, becoming a big hit with audiences and critics alike. Created and written by David E. Kelley, it starred Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon in a tale of three mothers whose apparently perfect lives unravel to the point of murder.

“With cinema screaming for more diverse, interesting female roles to take centre stage, meanwhile, there’s an endless understanding as to why Oscar-winning and talented actresses are taking to TV, where there is more room for characters like these to evolve,” we wrote in our review of Season 1, which hailed the show for its fascinating portrayal of strong, complicated women and their convoluted relationships.

“It is safe to say that audiences have never seen Kidman is such a vulnerable yet provocative role… However, it is Witherspoon who steals the show and has never been so mesmerising, proving once again that she can take any average Joe and make them authentic, relatable and three-dimensional.”

The show has since gone on to win eight Emmy awards, including Limited Series and prizes for Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard, Laura Den and director Jean-Marc Vallee.

So it comes, perhaps, as little surprise that HBO has ordered more, promising a second run that will explore the “malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting”. “Relationship will fray, loyalties will erode [and] the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom,” adds the cable giant.

Kelley will write all seven episodes of the new season, which will be partly based on a story by Liane Moriarty, the author of the novel the show was originally inspired by. Kelley will exec-produce, alongside Kidman and Per Saari through Blossom Films, Witherspoon through Hello Sunshine, Bruna Papandrea, Jean-Marc Vallée, Nathan Ross, Gregg Fienberg and Andrea Arnold.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing back this talented team of artists,” said Witherspoon in a statement. “It gives us the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of these intriguing and intricate Monterey families and bring more of their stories back to the audience who embraced and championed them. I’m beyond excited to be working with talented and acclaimed director Andrea Arnold who will be at the helm. Andrea’s unique storytelling style will be a welcome addition to the filmmaking team.”

“This is inspired by the overwhelming response by audiences around the world, conceived once again by Liane Moriarty, realized by David Kelley and now in the hands of visionary filmmaker Andrea Arnold,” added Kidman. “What a journey this has been. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to keep exploring these female characters and make this series with my friends.”

Not seen Big Little Lies? See our review of Season 1 here, plus where you can catch up on the box set on-demand.

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