HBO has officially renewed its original drama series Big Little Lies for a second season. The renewal comes after the premium cable network has closed deals for Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman to return as stars, with Andrea Arnold being tapped to replace Jean-Marc Vallée as director and executive producer.
Witherspoon and Kidman are currently the only returning stars to sign on to the new season, with most of the regular cast expected to return as well. Witherspoon and Kidman will once again serve as executive producers too.
The additional cast include Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott, Zoë Kravitz, James Tupper, Jeffrey Nordling and Laura Dern.
HBO has been very high on bringing Big Little Lies back for a second season since the first season ended with a lot of critical and cultural buzz. The series went on to earn 16 Emmy nominations - winning eight including for stars Kidman, Alexander Skarsgård & Laura Dern and director Jean-Marc Vallée. The renewal essentially hinged on finding a director to replace Vallée due to scheduling conflicts. Moreover, David E. Kelley - who wrote all seven episodes of the first season - will return as writer and executive producer.
Executive producers for the second season include Witherspoon, Kidman, Kelley, Arnold, Vallée, Per Saari, Bruna Papandrea, Nathan Ross and Gregg Fienberg. The series is based on the book by Laura Moriarty, who serves as a producer. David E. Kelley Productions, Blossom Films and Pacific Stanard produce.
HBO says the new season will explore the malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and the vicious ferocity of sound parenting. Relationships will fray, loyalties will erode... the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom.
