If you’ve binged through all of Black Mirror and the 20 minute weekly episodes of Younger aren’t enough TV to get you through the week, then the arrival of Big Little Lies season two will have you cheering from your couch.
That’s right, the hilarious, ball-busting and drama-filled ladies of Monterey are back on our screens, picking up exactly where the tense season one finale left us, with Alexander Skarsgard’s character Perry dead and the four main characters – Celeste (Nicole Kidman), Madeleine (Reese Witherspoon), Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz) and Jane (Shailene Woodley) – desperately trying to stay out of trouble.
This second season is veering into uncharted territory – it’s not at all based on the original book by hit Australian author Liane Moriarty.
Instead, Moriarty has worked with a new creator to develop a plotline that goes beyond the bestelling book’s storyline and create an exclusive story arc made especially for this season.
So that means, there are some new characters being introduced this season, as well as some old favourites who will have more of a starring role the second time around.
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WATCH BELOW: Meryl Streep’s frightening scream on Big Little Lies. Story continues after video.
Keep scrolling to get up-to-date with your new season 2 cast!
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
The iconic Oscar-winning actress plays Mary-Louise, Perry’s mother, who arrives in Monterey to figure out exactly how her son died – and who is responsible. Meryl is absolutely incredible – albeit terrifying – in this role and some fans are already predicting the 70-year-old’s pitch-perfect performance will win her a coveted Emmy Award.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman
Nicole is back – both in front of and behind the camera – as the charming Celeste and also as an executive producer on the series. Her character is now confronting a new reality with her husband now gone (both a blessing and a curse), plus she has the overbearing Mary-Louise to contend with.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Everyone’s favourite bossy blonde isn’t about to slow down any time soon, and thank goodness for that! Reese, who is also an executive producer on season 2, absolutely nails the sassy, high-maintenance Madeleine, who will do anything to protect her friends and her family. We’re especially here for her gorgeous colourful wardrobe – and her brilliant, cutting one-liners.
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley
Now that her sexual assault predator is dead, Shailene Woodley’s character Jane is able to rest a little easier. In a sign of her newfound lease on life, she’s chopped off her hair and given herself a little hipster fringe. And yes, the actress actually did cut her own locks and it’s not a wig or faux bangs, as her hairstylist recently explained.
Laura Dern
Laura Dern
Renata became the internet’s most unlikely favourite character last year, with her insane mansion, killer outfits and withering death stars. She is back and just as difficult (but with some even better suits in her wardrobe), with actress Laura Dern earning every bit of praise for her performance in this role – last year she won the Golden Globe for best supporting actress in a mini series.
Zoe Kravtiz
Zoe Kravtiz
Zoe Kravitz’s character Bonnie is one that could be easy to loathe, but someone the talented musician and daughter of the great Lenny Kravitz has managed to make this role extremely empathetic. We’re here for her amazing boho-chic outfits and love that she’s now officially be inducted into the Fab Four’s Monterey clan.
Douglas Smith
Douglas Smith
The (very handsome) Douglas Smith plays Corey, a brand new character that quickly becomes a love interest for Shailene Woodley’s character Jane. They work together at the aquarium and it quickly becomes clear that this young man might know a little too much about what happened at the trivia night – and just how involved the Monterey Five were.
Kathryn Newton
Kathryn Newton
Madeleine’s difficult, but adorable, teenage daughter Abigail is set to have more of a starring role this season, with actress Kathryn Newton being promoted to a series regular. We cannot wait to see what explosive-but-oh-so-relatable arguments unfold between her and Reese Witherspoon.
Sarah Sokolovic
Sarah Sokolovic
Sarah Sokolovic plays Tori, a woman who last season suspected something was going on between her husband Joseph and Madeleine – and she was pretty on the money. This season she’s been promoted to a series regular and we’re set to see more of this fascinating character, particularly as she sets her sights on Madeleine’s affable husband Tom.
Crystal Fox
Crystal Fox
Crystal Fox plays Bonnie’s mother Elizabeth. The second season will delve a little bit deeper into Bonnie’s back story and help us understand exactly why she is the way she is.
