Grab Your Wine Glasses: 'Big Little Lies' Returns For A Second Season
It's time to rejoice because Big Little Lies is returning for a second season.
The news broke this Friday, Dec. 8, when Nicole Kidman, star and executive producer of the show released a statement.
The Excitement
"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," the Eyes Wide Shut star proclaimed.
“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to keep exploring these female characters and make this series with my friends.”
The friends she speaks of are Reese Witherspoon and David E. Kelly.
What Drives The Series
The series is based on the same-titled book that was authored by Liane Moriarty. The plot of both, circles around a beachfront community in California that festers with rumors, socio-economic division, and marriages that are hanging on by a thread.
When asked how she felt about the show's return, Witherspoon said she can't wait for viewers to see how the cast and production team unfold the stories of the families featured on the show.
"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," she said in a statement.
"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.”
How It Gained Popularity
The show debuted on HBO in February 2017 and became an instant hit with fans and the entertainment industry. It proceeded to win eight Primetime Emmy Awards this past September making many pray it would return for the second time. When it took a long time for the second season to be announced, fans began to doubt Big Little Lies would come back.
In an interview with Vulture, HBO programming chief Casey Bloys shared that the network was skeptical about investing in another season despite the critical acclaim.
"When we saw it, obviously, it was great and it resonated, but I think everyone involved — the network, producers, David [E. Kelley], and Jean-Marc [Vallée] — had the same reaction: "That was great, but that’s the end of the book," Bloys revealed to Vulture's Josef Adalian.
"The producers started to say, “Well, could you do more? Maybe you could do more?” What was really key in this was that we all kind of approached it skeptically. You don’t want to make a decision out of, “That worked, let’s do more,” and have that drive the decision."
Bloys said it took a while for confirmations to start rolling in because every network's nightmare is to set the bar high after the first season and then have the second be lackluster. Bloys also noted those involved in the project have air-tight schedules, so HBO wanted to make sure that every participant could give their best to the project.
So happy it worked out!
