<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 Award 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> <Ul> <Li> Reese Witherspoon as Madeline Martha Mackenzie </Li> <Li> Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright </Li> <Li> Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman </Li> <Li> Alexander Skarsgård as Perry Wright, Celeste's husband </Li> <Li> Adam Scott as Ed Mackenzie, Madeline's husband </Li> <Li> Zoë Kravitz as Bonnie Carlson, Nathan's second wife </Li> <Li> James Tupper as Nathan Carlson, Madeline's ex-husband </Li> <Li> Jeffrey Nordling as Gordon Klein, Renata's husband </Li> <Li> Laura Dern as Renata Klein </Li> <Li> Kathryn Newton as Abigail Carlson (season 2, recurring season 1), Madeline's elder daughter </Li> <Li> Sarah Sokolovic as Tori Bachman (season 2, recurring season 1) </Li> <Li> Meryl Streep as Mary Louise Wright (season 2), Perry's mother </Li> <Li> Crystal Fox as Elizabeth Howard (season 2) </Li> </Ul>

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