After months of rumors, speculation, and false starts, it’s official: HBO’s hit limited series Big Little Lies is coming back for a second season. Yes, you read that correctly. Madeline Martha Mackenzie and her band of Monterrey mothers are returning for seven more episodes of delicious, female-focused drama. And this time, a female director, Andrea Arnold (who’s responsible for the 2016 acclaimed indie drama American Honey), will helm the entire thing.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing back this talented team of artists,” Reese Witherspoon said in a statement from HBO. “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.”
Arnold’s participation is perhaps the most exciting part of this announcement—besides, ya know, the fact Big Little Lies season two is happening at all. The first season of the show swept the Emmy Awards this year and was lauded for its dedication to telling nuanced, raw female stories. It only makes sense that a female director take the reins this time around to make sure these women’s stories are fully realized.
David E. Kelley, who wrote the screenplays for the first season, will also write the scripts this time around. The plot was partially conceived by Liane Moriarty, who wrote the original Big Little Lies novel.
“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,” Nicole Kidman said in HBO’s statement. “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.”
At this point, only Kidman and Witherspoon are confirmed to star. However, HBO notes most of the cast is expected to return and negotiations are currently happening. Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Alexander Skarsgård were the other stars of season one, though it seems unlikely Skarsgård would come back because—spoiler alert—his character died.
When Big Little Lies season two will premiere is a mystery at this point, but we’re sure it’ll be worth the wait.
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