HBO’s limited series Big Little Lies will be returning for a second season. HBO confirmed on Friday that the Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman miniseries would return after months of speculation.
“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,” Kidman said in statement. “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.”
Kidman and Witherspoon will be starring and serving as executive producers in Season 2. Most of the rest of the cast are expecting to return, which includes Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgard, and Laura Dern.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing back this talented team of artists,” said Witherspoon, who will be executive producing through Hello Sunshine. “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.”
Season 2 of Big Little Lies will explore the “malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting. Relationships will fray, loyalties will erode…the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom,” per HBO.
Creator David E. Kelley has penned all seven scripts, which is partially based on a story by Liane Moriarty, the author of the novel of the same name. Along with Kidman, Witherspoon, and Kelley, executive producers of Season 2 includes Bruna Papandrea, Andrea Arnold, Jean-Marc Vallée, Nathan Ross, and Gregg Fienberg. Moriarty will produce the series, and Arnold is also set to direct.
“I’m excited to announce the return of Big Little Lies,” Casey Bloys, HBO programming president said. “David Kelley wrote beautiful scripts and Reese and Nicole were, once again, a force to be reckoned with, reuniting the cast and recruiting the talented Andrea Arnold to direct. We look forward to working with this amazing group of artists.”
Big Little Lies premiered in early 2017 on HBO and has earned 16 Emmy nominations. The series went on to win eight Primetime Emmy Awards, which included outstanding limited series, lead actress for Kidman, supporting actor for Skarsgard, and supporting actress for Dern.