Be aware there are spoilers for Big Little Lies Season 1.
On the heels of landing her twenty-first Oscar nomination for her workThe Post,Meryl Streepis heading to one of the most celebrated new dramas on television. Streep has joined the cast ofBig Little LiesSeason 2 alongsideNicole KidmanandReese Witherspoonin a juicy new role that’s sure to give the legendary actress a lot to sink her teeth into.
Streep will play Mary Louise Wright, the mother ofAlexander Skarsgård’s Perry Wright – the abusive husband to Kidman’s character, who was revealed to be the one whose death was being investigated all throughout the first season. Concerned for the well-being of her grandchildren following her son Perry’s death, Mary Louise arrives in Monterey searching for answers. I’m hoping she fully channels Miranda Priestly while serving up withering gazes and prodding questions until she’s converted by the power of sisterhood.
Originally conceived as a limited series,Big Little LiesSeason 1 was written and exeecutive produced byDavid E. Kelleyand directed byJean-Marc Vallée. The star-studded series quickly earned critical acclaim, dominated pop culture conversations and went on to sweep awards categories with eight Emmys and four Golden Globes, inspiring HBO to expand the narrative beyondLiane Moriarty’s novel.
For Season 2, Kelley is confirmed to return and has already all seven scripts with help from a story by Moriarty.American HoneyandFish TankdirectorAndrea Arnoldis stepping in to helm the new episodes. From the Season 1 cast, only Kidman and Witherspoon are confirmed to return at this point, but the rest are expected to return once the deals close. That includes Skarsgård, who will be returning as Perry in some capacity.Varietyreports that Streep will make around $800,000 per episode for her work in the series. Of course, if there’s anyone who can command that kind of paycheck it’s the legendary, three-time Oscar-winning actress who just beat her own record for nominations.
Vallée, who directed all of Season 1, will also executive produce along with Kelley, Kidman andPer Saarithrough Blossom Films, Witherspoon through Hello Sunshine,Bruna Papandrea,Nathan Ross,Gregg Fienbergand Arnold.
Big Little Lies is expected to return on HBO sometime in 2019.
