Movie star after movie star has flocked to the small screen, and now Meryl-freaking-Streep is following suit. Variety reports that the three-time Oscar winner is heading to Monterey. She’ll join Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman in “Big Little Lies’” second season in a role designed specifically for her. “The Post” star will play Perry’s mother (Alexander Skarsgård), Mary Louise Wright.
The first season of “Big Little Lies” concludes with Perry’s death. Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz) kills him after she witnesses him physically abusing Celeste (Nicole Kidman). Mary Louise will be arriving in Monterey “searching for answers” about what happened to her son.
The HBO show is based on Liane Moriarty’s 2014 novel of the same name.
“When I was writing the [Season 2 ] story, I actually called [Mary Louise] Meryl to myself because I was thinking, who would be more perfect than Meryl to play Perry’s mother?” Moriarty said. “Not only is she an incredible actor, but they’re quite similar in appearance. But that was my own, secret game. I then looked up her middle name to see what it was and I saw her real name is Mary Louise. So that’s why I’ve called her Mary Louise. I said to the producers — not quite believing my own audacity — I have this role and I think Meryl will be really perfect for it,” she recalled. “They were teasing me, saying I can’t believe how Hollywood you’ve become.”
After Christmas Moriarty received an email from Kidman that read, “Ask and you shall receive.”
Originally produced as a limited series,“Big Little Lies” was confirmed for a second season in early December after becoming a huge ratings hit and critical darling. The murder mystery’s many awards include Golden Globe and Emmy wins for Best Limited Series and acting wins for Kidman, Laura Dern, and Skarsgård. Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley also received noms at both ceremonies. Witherspoon and Kidman are producers on the project, which is set in an affluent California neighborhood. The show centers on a group of women whose children go to school together.
Streep just scored her 21st Oscar nod for her role in Pentagon Papers drama “The Post,” which is in theaters now. She’s the most-nominated performer of all time.
A premiere date for “Big Little Lies’” second season hasn’t been announced yet. “American Honey” helmer Andrea Arnold is directing every ep of the upcoming season.
