Big Little Lies: what we know so far about season 2

Big Little Lies, HBO’s hit series isn’t set to return until 2019 but the second season of the hit show is already starting to take shape. Here is a recap of everything we know so far.

You can’t have missed the Big Little Lies wave. The HBO miniseries was a frank success both with the audience and the critics that gave it rave reviews. In the past year, the show has won four out of the six Golden Globes nominations it received (including Best Limited Series and best performances for Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgård and Laura Dern). It also picked up eight Emmy and two SAG awards, just to name a few.

You get the idea: Big Little Lies was one of the best shows of 2017. The huge success helped the series earn a second season, which was initially not planned as it was first envisioned as a feature film then eventually turned into what was supposed to be — a one-season miniseries.

But first thing first: the pitch (warning: spoilers ahead)

What is Big Little Lies?

Big Little Lies is a comedy-drama and the adaptation of the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty focusing on the lives of three women — and mothers — living in Monterey, a small posh town where everyone seems to go on with their perfect lives but actually hide a lot of secrets.

The show opens with a criminal investigation and oscillates between present interrogation scenes at the police station and flashbacks depicting all the events that led to it before the final revelation.

The main cast includes Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright, a former lawyer whose seemingly immaculate family life hides domestic abuse; Reese Witherspoon as Madeline Mackenzie, the hot-headed alpha mom, juggling with a professional career made complicated by the community and an even messier family life; and Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman, the single mother who has just moved to town and must deal with her son’s issues at school and the trauma of her rape several years before. Special mention for Alexander Skarsgård as Perry Wright, Celeste’s abusive husband and who turns out to be the victim of the crime being investigated.

The complex characters; the portrayal of strong, empowered women; the clever storytelling and the brilliant cast are, among others, the reasons that Big Little Lies became a unanimously critically-acclaimed show and a fan favorite.

What’s coming in season 2?

All the ladies of Monterey will reunite

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HBO announced that the entire cast from the first season will return. Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon return as producers again (and with a significant pay rise) as well as Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz.

Additionally, Vulture confirmed that Adam Scott, who portrayed Madeline’s husband in the first season would reprise his role.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing back this talented team of artists,” Witherspoon said. “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.”

The new season will also have room for Skarsgård, as he is bound to return, too — “In some capacity” as it was announced. Will he return in flashbacks or through hallucinations since the ladies, who took part in the crime, will have to deal with the secret that is binding them?

As well as a noticeable addition

OK, noticeable was a sarcastic euphemism. Big Little Lies 2 will be welcoming the legendary Meryl Streep herself. Streep will play Mary Louise Wright, mother of Alexander Skarsgård’s character, who arrives in Monterey, seeking answers about her son’s —apparent— murder. (Fifty bucks says she won’t be all easy peasy and will conduct her own vendetta against the protagonists)

Whatever her role is going to be, there is one thing we know for sure, the audience is going to love (hating) her. Definitely one of the highlights of season 2.

Many new characters and faces are also expected to join.

A female director

Dallas Buyers Club‘s Jean-Marc Vallée, who had directed all seven episodes of the first season, is giving up his seat to Andrea Arnold who will be in charge of bringing season 2 to life.

“I’m beyond excited to be working with talented and acclaimed director Andrea Arnold who will be at the helm,” Witherspoon says. “Andrea’s unique storytelling style will be a welcome addition to the filmmaking team.”

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A new story

As mentioned above, the show was initially meant to be limited and, as such, was the adaptation of the whole novel. For the new season, the author of the original book, Liane Moriarty, agreed to write the outline of the new story before David E. Kelley adapted it into the screenplay. That is good news for those for those who feared their favorite character may lose a bit of their core in the sequel.

Season 2 is set to resume just where it was left off in the final episode. Hollywood Reporter says:

"“Season two 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.”"

Storylines hinted at or left unfinished in the first season, such as Madeline’s affair, are likely to be continued.

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Season 2 of Big Little Lies is set to start production this month and to return sometime in 2019 on HBO.

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