Big Little Lies Season 2 Announcement Riles Up Award Competitors: Voting To Be 'Re-set'
Big Little Lies is no longer a limited series. Earlier this month, HBO renewed the award-winning drama for a second season.
While fans are celebrating the eventual return of Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon on the small screen, the series, however, is causing some serious issues within the awards community.
Recasting Ballots
Big Little Lies, the television adaptation of the mystery novel of the same title, was initially promoted as a limited series. It premiered on HBO on Feb. 9 and, after seven episodes, aired its finale on April 2.
However, after the cable network green-lighted the second installment of the award-winning program, the members of the upcoming 2018 PGA Awards have to recast their votes. Starting this week, the series created by David E. Kelley will be competing in the episodic drama category.
"At the time of the release of the ballots, HBO's series Big Little Lies qualified for the Guild's Long-Form Programs category," the statement obtained by Deadline read. "However, with today's announcement that HBO has ordered a second season of the series with the main characters continuing into the second season, the series no longer qualifies within the category."
At the time of the announcement, members of the guild have already cast their votes. These, according to the Producers Guild of America, have been voided and are needed to be "re-set."
Outrage Over Late Announcements
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that competitors are not happy with the late renewal announcement. Voting is officially closed for the Critics' Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.
Big Little Lies received five nominations including best limited series from the Critics' Choice Awards. Golden Globes has not announced the nominated parties, but the HBO drama is expected to be registered as a miniseries. The voting period for the SAG Awards also came to an end last week.
Season 2 Details
The second season of the award-winning drama will bring back most of the cast. Both Witherspoon and Kidman have signed up to reprise their roles and contract negotiations are underway for the rest.
Kelley will write the script for the entire season, but Jean-Marc Vallée, director of the first season, will pass the directorial duties to Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank). The Wild and Dallas Buyer's Club director will still be involved as an executive producer.
Moreover, Vulture reported that casting is underway for new characters. The drama is looking for four actors to fill four new supporting characters that will be introduced in the second season.
HBO has not yet announced the premiere date of Big Little Lies season 2.
