Now that Big Little Lies [1] has finally and officially been renewed for season two [2], we're getting good and prepped for our epic return to the dark, twisted, dramatic world of Monterey. Naturally, we've already dug up plenty of details about the second instalment [3] of the insanely popular HBO series. But first, it's important to look at the cast. Who is officially returning for season two? Well, only three stars have officially been locked in, but we've added a few more using our powers of critical thinking and deductive reasoning. And as for newcomers? HBO is setting the bar high with the addition of the legendary Meryl Streep [4]! Things are already heating up.
Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright
In addition to signing on as an executive producer for the second round, Kidman is already locked in to reprise her role as Celeste [5], according to The Hollywood Reporter. She'll have a lot of sh*t to deal with since, you know, her abusive husband is dead.
Reese Witherspoon as Madeline Mackenzie
We're so blessed that Witherspoon and Kidman are a package deal. Witherspoon has also committed to executive produce and star in the show's second season. Prepare for even more grade-A sass from Madeline [6] aka Monterey's favourite busy body.
Laura Dern as Renata Klein
Dern hasn't exactly been confirmed for the new season, but a new story from Vulture [7] already teases her season two story line. Renata will supposedly butt heads with Michael Perkins, a new teacher at Otter Bay Elementary School who inadvertently causes Amabella (Renata's daughter) to have a panic attack. We're going to guess that Dern is as good as on board.
Zoë Kravitz as Bonnie Carlson
Similarly to Dern, Kravitz hasn't signed on the dotted line for season two yet, but the next instalment is supposed to introduce Bonnie's parents [8]. It would be pretty tough to incorporate Bonnie's parents into the story without, you know, having Bonnie in there, too. We're calling Kravitz a shoo-in.
Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman
Jane has also been given a season two character arc, which means we can safely assume Woodley is probably coming back. Jane will cosy up to another new character [9]: there's a new employee in the school administration office who befriends (and builds a deep trust with) Jane. Maybe Jane will finally be able to heal now that her rapist is dead.
Meryl Streep as Mary Louise Wright
Praise be! Streep was added to the cast [10] in January 2018. She'll be playing Perry's mother, who comes to Monterey hoping to get answers about Perry's death.
Alexander Skarsgard as Perry Wright
If you thought you were done with the monstrous, abusive tendencies of Perry Wright, think again. TVLine says Alexander Skarsgard will return in some capacity [11]. I mean, he seemed pretty dead in the season one finale. Perhaps he'll return in the form of flashbacks and haunting nightmares? We're here for you, Celeste.