Ending months of speculation, HBO has officially given the green light to a second season of the hit drama “Big Little Lies.”
Originally conceived as a miniseries adaptation of the novel by Liane Moriarty, “Big Little Lies” has been picked up for seven more episodes by the network.
Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman have both signed on to return to star and executive produce. Negotiations with the other cast members, including Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz, are ongoing, though the network says most are “expected to return.” The second outing will also be written and executive produced by David E. Kelley and will be based, in part, on story by Moriarty.
All seven installments will be directed by Oscar-winner Andrea Arnold (“American Honey,” “Fish Tank”), who will step in for first season director Jean-Marc Vallée. Arnold, whose TV directing credits including “Transparent” and “I Love Dick,” will also executive produce alongside Per Saari of Kidman’s Blossom Films banner, Bruna Papandrea, Vallée, Nathan Ross and Gregg Fienberg.
“I’m excited to announce the return of Big Little Lies,” said Casey Bloys, president, HBO programming. “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.”
The first season was a breakout hit for HBO, bringing the premium cable network 16 Emmy nominations and eight wins, effectively sweeping the Limited Series categories in September.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing back this talented team of artists,” added Witherspoon. “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,” said 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.”
'Big Little Lies' Loose Ends: 6 Questions Left Unanswered in the Finale (Photos)
HBO's limited series "Big Little Lies" ended with the climactic murder resolved in Sunday night's finale, but that didn't mean it all tied up in a neat bow. Click through to explore the storylines that didn't get resolved:
HBO
Madeline never told Ed she cheated on him.
In the second-to-last episode, Reese Witherspoon's character came close to 'fessing up about her affair with community play director Joseph Bachman (Santiago Cabrera). But, alas, Ed's (Adam Scott's) big reaction scene may never come to pass. Plus, in the finale, there's a scene with Joseph and Madeline fighting. Does Joesph still love Madeline? Tori (Joseph's wife, played by Sarah Sokolovic) obviously knows it's her who he had the affair with, but the two never face off again.
HBO
We didn't get to see enough of Jane and Tom.
Jane (Shailene Woodley) and coffee guy Tom (Joseph Cross -- who, surprise, isn't gay) have a twisted first date at the big costume gala, and we see Jane crying into his arms after the murder. But will the duo get together for real? Can Jane trust a man again? We might have to use our imaginations.
HBO
Amabella and Max are suddenly BFFS at the beach.
One of the biggest questions on the show--who was hurting Amabella?--was answered in the finale. It was Max, one of Celeste's (Nicole Kidman's) twin boys. The two kids are seen playing on the beach with all of the others as if nothing ever happened. Also, how did the teacher really never notice?
HBO
Madeline convinced Abigail to quit her "project," but the parenting squad is still at odds.
Nathan still can't shake his need to be better than Ed (Adam Scott) at Elvis impersonations, and Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz) and Ed can't shake their awkward run-ins. (Ed accidentally spilled a drink on her dress.) But Bonnie and Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) seem to be friends now that they witnessed a murder together. Is Abby (Kathryn Newton) happy still living with her dad Nathan (James Tupper) and Bonnie, or does she miss living with her ma Madeline and hubby Ed?
HBO
The detective kept clicking her Zippo.
The dark fairytale ending played out on a sunny Monterey beach with all the leading ladies and their children playing in idyllic fashion. But one thing is left unanswered as Detective Adrienne Quinlan (Merrin Dungey) looks on, clicking that lighter, suspecting a coverup. If there is indeed a Season 2, the murder case is still, most definitely, wide open.
Fans may never get closure from these subplots (spoilers!)
HBO's limited series "Big Little Lies" ended with the climactic murder resolved in Sunday night's finale, but that didn't mean it all tied up in a neat bow. Click through to explore the storylines that didn't get resolved: