<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> Big Little Lies is an American television drama series that premiered on HBO on February 19, 2017 . Created and written by David E. Kelley, the series' seven - episode first season is based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty . Each episode was directed by Jean - Marc Vallée . </P> <P> Big Little Lies stars Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley and tells the story of three emotionally troubled women in Monterey, California, who become embroiled in a murder investigation . Alexander Skarsgård, Laura Dern, Jeffrey Nordling, Adam Scott, Zoë Kravitz, and James Tupper feature in supporting roles . Critically acclaimed, the series garnered several accolades . It received 16 Emmy Award nominations and won eight, including Outstanding Limited Series and acting awards for Kidman, Skarsgård, and Dern . The trio also won Golden Globe Awards in addition to a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film win for the series . Kidman and Skarsgård also received Screen Actors Guild Awards for their performances . </P> <P> Despite originally being billed as a miniseries, HBO renewed the series for a second season . Production on the second season began in March 2018 and is set to premiere in 2019 . The entire main cast will return with the addition of Meryl Streep . All seven episodes are being written by Kelley and directed by Andrea Arnold . </P>

What is the premise of big little lies