Big Little Lies: The Secret Weapon That Got Meryl Streep to Join the Cast

The cast of Big Little Lies—including Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon. and Meryl Streep—gathered Wednesday for a wide-ranging panel conversation at the Wing Soho moderated by Vanity Fairs editor in chief, Radhika Jones, speaking at length about the shows upcoming second season (set to premiere on June 9). Among the secrets they shared? How Streep was convinced to join the cast for the shows sophomore round.

“My agent called me and said, Nicole wanted to ask you something,” Streep recalled. The offer was for a TV gig, which Streep was open to—and when she found out the role was on Big Little Lies, Streep gasped. As it turns out, the Oscar-winning actress was just as big a fan as anyone else of the hit HBO series, and was excited when she found out another season was in the works. She was even more shocked when she realized that the character she was being offered was named Mary Louise. Why? Because “Mary Louise is my actual legal name,” Streep noted. “So yeah, thats how I got involved.”

The script was based on a novella written by original Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty, who wrote Mary Louise specifically for Streep. Though the author made it clear that she wanted Streep for the part, both Kidman and Witherspoon, who are also producers on the show, had no idea that “Mary Louise” was actually a sneaky, clever bat signal designed to lure in Streep. As it turned out, Moriarty didnt even really need a trick up her sleeve; Streep was so keen to join the show that she essentially said yes on the spot.

“[My agent] said, Dont you want to read it [the script]? I said no,” Streep said—causing Witherspoon, seated beside her, to gasp dramatically. “It was the greatest thing on television, it really was. There isnt a woman in this room who wouldnt sign up.”

Judging by how packed the room was, with women taking up every seat and every inch of standing room in the Wings chicly designed space, Streep is right. Though the cast didnt give too much away about the upcoming season, they did share a few plotty tidbits. Season two revolves largely around the aftermath of season one, which saw the women band together after Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz) fatally shoved the abusive Perry (Alexander Skarsgård) to his death. Streep plays Mary Louise, Perrys mother, who comes into town to uncover the truth about her sons murder.

Kidman, who plays Celeste, Perrys now-widow, said the characters journey after the death of her abuser will raise some eyebrows. “It will be controversial,” she said. She also teased Bonnies storyline, promising the character will go on “a very rich journey” this time around. Crystal Fox will play Elizabeth, Bonnies mother.

All the actresses also raved about Shailene Woodley, who plays single mother Jane. “Shailene is just a miracle in this,” Streep said. “Theres a scene in episode two thats just lights out,” Witherspoon added.

Witherspoon also highlighted that Derns character, the high-strung Renata, is angrier than ever this year. “Yall, she gets so mad!” she teased.

Dern weighed in as well, noting that there is one key change in Renatas life: “Now she has friends!”

The show will continue exploring the theme of domestic abuse and how it impacts each of the womens lives. To that end, the Wing event was hosted in conjunction with National Network to End Domestic Violence, with items from Big Little Lies–themed capsule collections by brands Outdoor Voices, Lizzie Fortunato, and Cuyana for sale at the Wings fifth floor entrance.

During the conversation, the topic of mens reaction to the show came up. All of the women noted how warm the response has been from the men in their lives, with Streep in particular noting how “remarkable” it is that the show forces men to watch something from a female point of view. To that point, Streep added, shes not fond of the phrase “toxic masculinity.”

“I think the labels are less helpful than what were trying to get to, which is a communication, direct, between human beings,” she said. “Were all in the boat together and you gotta make it work.”

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Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Nicole Kidman, photographed in Franklin, Tennessee. Coat by Dior; shoes by Hermès; tights by Wolford; necklace by Tiffany & Co.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.TO DIE FOR
Nicole Kidman, photographed in Franklin, Tennessee. Bra by Eres; tights by Wolford; necklace by Tiffany & Co.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.My LIFE
“Nobody motivated me to be an actor; if anything they tried to deter me.” Blouse by Givenchy; earrings by Chopard.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.BIG LITTLE LIFE
“Were all so different, yet we complement each other. Its so nice, and Ive never had that.” Blouse by Ralph Lauren; pants by Chloé; shoes by Christian Louboutin; necklace by Tiffany & Co.; watch by Omega.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.the UPSIDE
“Im far more raw and honest now, because before I used to be so scared.” Clothing by Bottega Veneta; earrings by Chopard.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.DOGMA
“I wouldnt say its absolutism, theres constant questioning,” says Kidman. “Im a willful, feisty girl.” Coat by Dior; necklace by Tiffany & Co. Throughout: hair products by Rodin; makeup by Neutrogena.Photo: Photograph by Collier Schorr; Styled by Samira Nasr.PreviousNext