Big Little Lies Season 2 Premiere and Schedule
Big Little Lies season 2 premiered on HBO on June 9, 2019, following the success of the first season, which aired in early 2017. The season consisted of seven episodes and concluded on July 21, 2019. The series is based on the Liane Moriarty novel and produced by HBO Entertainment, with David E. Kelley serving as showrunner. For more details on the series, see the HBO official page on Big Little Lies. The season was filmed in Monterey, California, and maintained the same core production team as the first season.
The premiere date was confirmed by HBO and multiple trade outlets in early 2019. The season aired on a weekly basis, with each episode debuting on Sunday nights. This scheduling pattern is consistent with HBO's flagship drama lineup, which includes prestige limited series and ongoing anthology-style storytelling. The show's broadcast window placed it among the most-watched HBO dramas during its summer run.
Cast, Characters, and Story Overview
Main Cast and Returning Characters
The main cast of Big Little Lies season 2 includes Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright, Reese Witherspoon as Madeline Martha Mackenzie, Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman, Laura Dern as Renata Klein, and Zoë Kravitz as Bonnie Carlson. Alexander Skarsgård returns as Perry Wright, with new additions including Meryl Streep as Mary Louise Wright, the mother of Perry. James Tupper also returns as the character Nathan Carlson. The ensemble cast received strong critical attention for its portrayal of affluent Monterey residents navigating secrets and lies.
New and Recurring Characters
Meryl Streep joined the cast as Mary Louise Wright, a character introduced in the second season to explore the aftermath of Perry's death. Other recurring characters include Sarah Sokolovic as Tori Bachman and Ione Skye in a supporting role. The expanded cast allows the season to examine themes such as grief, accountability, and the ripple effects of domestic violence on families and communities.
Plot, Themes, and Production Details
The story of Big Little Lies season 2 picks up after the events of the first season finale, focusing on the trial and fallout following Perry Wright's death. The narrative explores the legal and emotional consequences for the main characters, with each woman confronting her own version of the truth. The season expands on the themes of domestic abuse, privilege, and the performative nature of suburban life, while maintaining the darkly comedic and suspenseful tone established in the first season.
Production for Big Little Lies season 2 was led by HBO in collaboration with the show's creative team, including director Jean-Marc Vallée and writer David E. Kelley. The season was filmed on location in Monterey County, California, with additional scenes shot in nearby areas. The series is based on the Liane Moriarty novel and uses the source material as a foundation for new storylines introduced in the second season. For background on the production company and HBO's broader drama slate, see the HBO official site. The season received multiple award nominations, including Primetime Emmy Awards for its performances and production quality.