Big Little Lies (TV series)

Big Little Lies (TV series) is an American HBO television series based on the Liane Moriarty novel of the same name. The series, which premiered in 2017, explores the lives of five women in the affluent coastal town of Monterey, California, whose seemingly perfect lives unravel amid a murder investigation. Created by David E. Kelley and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée for its first season, the show blends drama, mystery, and dark comedy, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its writing, direction, and performances.

Plot

The narrative centers on mothers Madeline Martha Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman), and Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley), whose lives become intertwined with Renata Klein (Laura Dern) and Bonnie Carlson (Zoë Kravitz) after a violent incident at a school fundraiser event. Through flashbacks and police interviews, the story reveals deep-seated secrets involving domestic violence, sexual assault, and social rivalries, all building toward the mysterious death of Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgård) at a school trivia night gala. The second season, directed by Andrea Arnold, introduces the character of Mary Louise Wright (Meryl Streep), who arrives to investigate her son's death, further destabilizing the community and the women's pact of secrecy.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast is led by Reese Witherspoon as the fiercely loyal and meddlesome Madeline, Nicole Kidman as the elegant but abused Celeste, and Shailene Woodley as the traumatized newcomer Jane. Laura Dern portrays the high-powered executive Renata, and Zoë Kravitz plays the serene yogi Bonnie. Key supporting roles include Adam Scott as Madeline's husband Ed Mackenzie, James Tupper as Nathan Carlson, and Jeffrey Nordling as Gordon Klein. Alexander Skarsgård received significant acclaim for his role as the abusive Perry Wright, while Meryl Streep joined the cast in the second season, earning an Emmy Award for her performance as the manipulative Mary Louise.

Production

Developed by David E. Kelley, the series was brought to HBO by producers Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman through their production companies Hello Sunshine and Blossom Films, respectively. The first season was entirely directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, who established its distinctive visual style and tone, with cinematography by Yves Bélanger. Filming took place primarily in Monterey, California and Malibu, California. Following Vallée's departure, Andrea Arnold was hired to direct the second season, though reports indicated significant post-production alterations by executive producers. The score, composed by Michael Kiwanuka, features the opening theme "Cold Little Heart."

Reception

The series received universal critical acclaim, with particular praise for its acting, writing, and handling of sensitive themes. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes awarded the first season a near-perfect score, and it holds a high rating on Metacritic. Critics from The New York Times, The Guardian, and Variety lauded the performances of Kidman, Witherspoon, and Skarsgård. The portrayal of domestic violence and trauma was noted for its unflinching realism. The second season, while still praised for its acting, especially Streep's, received somewhat more mixed reviews regarding its narrative necessity compared to the first.

Awards and nominations

*Big Little Lies* was a major awards contender, winning eight Primetime Emmy Awards from its first season, including Outstanding Limited Series, and acting awards for Kidman, Skarsgård, and Dern. It also won four Golden Globe Awards, including Best Miniseries or Television Film and acting wins for Kidman and Skarsgård. The series received numerous Screen Actors Guild Awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Miniseries. For the second season, Meryl Streep won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress, and Laura Dern won the Oscar-winning actress her first Primetime Emmy Award.

Release

The first season premiered on HBO on February 19, 2017, and concluded on April 2, 2017, comprising seven episodes. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and became available for streaming on HBO Max upon its launch. The second season aired from June 9, 2019, to July 21, 2019. Internationally, the series was distributed by HBO through various partners and aired on networks like Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom and Foxtel in Australia.