|
Archive for the ‘“Big Little Lies”’ Category
Big Little Lies: How Nicole Kidman convinced Reese Witherspoon to play Madeline
Is it any surprise that actor-producer Reese Witherspoon’s first major TV project, HBO’s hit miniseries Big Little Lies, resulted in not just an Emmy nomination for her, but a whopping 16 for the show overall? The star, who also produced literary adaptations Gone Girl and Wild, turned Liane Moriarty’s thriller into a moody, suspenseful — but wonderfully funny — must-watch series that has viewers begging for a second season. And as lovable but complicated busybody Madeline Martha Mackenzie, Witherspoon, 41, was at the top of her game, spitting the show’s funniest lines one moment and delivering taut drama the next.
EW caught up with Witherspoon ahead of the Emmy Awards (airing Sept. 17) to talk about making the switch from film to TV, what story lines could be explored in a potential season 2, and how her costar (and co-producer) Nicole Kidman convinced her that her comedic role was necessary for the series.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This is essentially your first TV role, aside from some guest spots.
REESE WITHERSPOON: Yeah, this is the only thing I’ve ever done! [Laughs] I’ve never done TV before, other than being Jennifer Aniston’s sister on Friends and a Lifetime movie when I was 15.
Tell me about making the switch. What was it like getting to spend so much more time with a character?
It’s a very different process. It’s a much longer process, but as an actor, the ability to dig deeper into a character and have more time to live with these characters, I think [helps] you create a more whole picture of a human life. Nicole [Kidman] and I were approached and asked to make it into a feature film right before we were about to make a decision about what network we were going to go with, and we just really felt like we wanted to tell the story of five women, not two, and there just wouldn’t be enough time within a film format to get that deep level of storytelling.
And also, to be quite frank, audiences are much more deeply invested in these long-form storytelling opportunities. I think you get a lot more engagement. You’re chasing the audience that is Nicole and I’s audience for years and years, but it’s also Shailene’s audience and Zoë Kravitz’s audience. It’s important to go where your audience is, not expect them to necessarily come to you.
You had to balance so much in this role: Madeline had dramatic and comedic scenes, and she was a bully as much as she was a protagonist.
It was funny, when we were making it, Laura Dern and I kept looking at each other and going, “I think we’re in a comedy and everybody else is in a drama.” But I think that’s what makes it relatable and why people see themselves in it, because there’s a part of it that is so much about the intimacy of marriage and relationships and parenting and the secrets we keep from each other. And then there’s this whole other element of tension and mystery and murder, and that any one of us is capable of something truly horrible at any moment.
Continue reading this entry »
Last weekend Reese attended the Television Critics Association Awards in Beverly Hills, where Big Little Lies was nominated for 3 awards. It picked up the award for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials, and Reese joined her director Jean-Marc Vallee, co-producers Per Saari, Nathan Ross, Bruna Papandrea, and writer David E. Kelly on stage to accept the award – congratulations to the Big Little Lies crew! Reese looked elegant in a little black dress by Antonio Berardi with jewellery from Eva Fehren. HQ photos from the event can be found in our Gallery:
• Summer TCA Tour – Television Critics Association Awards x21
    
The Television Critics Association Announces 2017 TCA Awards Winners
The Television Critics Association (TCA) recognized the top programs and actors from the 2016-2017 television season tonight at its 33RD Annual TCA Awards presentation. The prestigious organization’s event was held at the Beverly Hilton hotel, hosted by EMMY® and TONY®-winning entertainer Kristin Chenoweth.
The results were determined from votes cast by the TCA’s membership, comprised of more than 220 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada. The winners represent a diverse lineup of series and stars in 12 distinct categories, putting the spotlight on the absolute best in comedy, drama, reality, miniseries, news, and youth programming. Highlights included Hulu earning its first TCA awards on the strength of its freshman dystopian thriller THE HANDMAID’S TALE, which took home top honors for Program Of The Year and Outstanding Achievement In Drama; as well as ABC’s heartwarming family comedy SPEECHLESS, which won in the category of Outstanding Achievement In Youth for its unique family dynamic and strong, heartfelt storylines.
For the second year in a row, FX emerged as one of the evening’s biggest winners. The network snagged a TCA-leading three awards thanks to its dynamic new series ATLANTA, which earned Outstanding Achievement In Comedy, and scored an Individual Achievement In Comedy Award for series star and creator Donald Glover. Rounding out the network’s big night was an Individual Achievement In Drama Award for Carrie Coon, who made TCA awards history by being recognized for two separate performances. Coon was recognized for her standout roles as the tech-challenged police chief Gloria Burgle on FX’s twisting crime caper FARGO and playing the emotionally resilient Nora Durst on HBO’s spiritually-rich drama series THE LEFTOVERS.
Additionally, NBC’s beloved interpersonal drama THIS IS US was recognized as the season’s Outstanding New Program; HBO’s star-studded suburban murder mystery BIG LITTLE LIES came away with the award for Outstanding Achievement In Movies, Miniseries, and Specials; A&E’s investigative true-life series LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH received the award for Outstanding Achievement In Reality Programming; and ESPN’s provocative five-part documentary event O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA nabbed Outstanding Achievement In News and Information.
Continue reading this entry »
Reese Witherspoon on ‘Big Little Lies’ Season 2 Potential: “We’re Optimistic”
The actress talks to THR about the future of the limited series, the other TV character she’d like to play and the project she had to turn down because of the critically lauded HBO drama.
Ever since Big Little Lies wrapped its critically lauded run on HBO in April, there have been rumblings of a possible second season of the limited series.
Reese Witherspoon tells The Hollywood Reporter that those conversations are ongoing, and that she’s “optimistic” about doing more of the drama, which is based on Liane Moriarty’s book of the same name.
Ahead of the Emmys, the Oscar-winning actress chatted with THR about the future of the limited series, the other TV character she’d like to play and the project she had to turn down because of Big Little Lies.
There’s been talk of a potential second season of Big Little Lies. What’s the latest?
Honestly, it’s totally in [novelist] Liane Moriarty’s court. The ball is definitely in her court because these characters were born of her mind and her imagination, and we just want to see if she’s interested in creating more story about these characters. She really created an incredible road map for us that we followed almost to a T. Right now, we’re happy if this is all there is. We’re optimistic that there might be more.
And you’re talking to writer David E. Kelley about a second season as well?
Yes, he’s our producing partner.
What goes into the decision of continuing a limited series?
It just comes down to, do we have the story? It was a stand-alone book and there was nothing after that, so it’s up to the mind of the writer to create the vision for the journey of these characters. Right now, we have nothing. We don’t have a book. We’re certainly not going to create it out of thin air. [Moriarty’s] very deft at, first of all, creating tension through mystery, but also digging deep into the very intimate lives of female friendships — their relationships, their romantic relationships, their parenting styles.
Continue reading this entry »
HBO President Shares ‘Big Little Lies’ Season 2 Update: ‘Reese and Nicole Can Be Very Persuasive’
HBO offered an update on the future of Big Little Lies.
Though there was no official announcement on a season two pick-up, HBO Programming President Casey Bloys revealed to a small group of reporters following the executive session Wednesday at the summer Television Critics Association press tour that discussions are still ongoing for the Emmy-nominated limited series to continue on.
“[Author] Liane [Moriarty] is taking her crack at it and I think that it’s interesting. I don’t think [there’s been] a time when we’ve gone to the writer of the novel, the source material, to come up with like, ‘Do you see ongoing stories?’” Bloys said. “I’ll be very curious to see what she comes up with that. Normally you go to a TV writer, and say, ‘What do you see?’”
When asked if HBO would consider continuing the Big Little Lies tale without the involvement of director Jean-Marc Vallee, Bloys addressed Vallee’s remarks that he was done with the series.
“I know he said that. But you know Reese [Witherspoon] and Nicole [Kidman],” Bloys said, alluding to their ability to persuade. “First, we have to see the material and if it’s worth everybody’s time. If it is, then the conversation of directors [will happen]. I understand why Jean-Marc feels [that way]. He did that. He’s doing another show for us, all eight episodes. But Nicole and Reese can be very persuasive.”
Bloys also addressed whether they would consider formulating a suitable story without Moriarty’s input.
Continue reading this entry »
Deadline hosted a ‘For Your Consideration’ panel and Q&A For Big Little Lies on Tuesday, in honour of its impressive 16 Emmy nominations. Reese, Nicole Kidman, Jean-Marc Vallee and Alexander Skarsgaard were in attendance and spoke about how they got the show into production and some of the issues raised within the show. Reese wore a monochrome dress by Oscar de la Renta with Stella Luna shoes. I love seeing the cast together again! We have HQ photos in our Gallery for you, and several videos from the panel and red carpet within this post:
• HBO’s “Big Little Lies” FYC Screening x32
    
Continue reading this entry »
Reese Witherspoon, Olivia Culpo Go Barefoot at Sunset Hamptons Yacht Party
The intimate affair toasted the latest collection of L.A.-based label Haney on fashion site Forward.
Thick humidity enveloped the normally temperate Long Island coast Friday evening as friends of designer and entrepreneur Mary Alice Haney boarded a small shuttle boat in Amagansett, N.Y., for a sunset cocktail party toasting her eponymous brand.
The venue for the affair, which was held in collaboration with fashion retail site Forward by Elyse Walker, was the Emelina — a 167-foot custom-built yacht owned by the Tennessee native’s parents.
“We’re going on a yacht,” cooed actress Olivia Culpo. She was poured into a lipstick red jumpsuit from the L.A.-based brand, which launched in 2013 and is partly inspired by Haney’s career as a celebrity stylist working with Taylor Swift and others. Looking more appropriately dressed for Studio 54 than the high seas, Culpo and her group of picture-perfect girlfriends paraded down the lengthy dock of the Devon Yacht Club like it was a catwalk.
As the tender reached the Italian-built vessel, a crew member announced the boat’s no-shoes policy, much to the chagrin of the well-heeled passengers. “This is my first trip out to the Hamptons this year,” remarked Culpo, who next month begins filming an action film with Bruce Willis and will open a family-run restaurant in her native Rhode Island. “It’s called The Back Forty — I’m part owner, but I’ve dubbed myself social media manager for now.”
Haney, who lavished her welcoming southern hospitality to all on the deck, explained this event marked the end of a weeklong girls’ trip that cruised to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and finally The Hamptons. The accomplished group included Reese Witherspoon, La Ligne founder Meredith Melling and Sprinkles Cupcakes founder Candace Nelson. “I feel so lucky to have these women in my life who are friends, but also incredibly bad-ass boss ladies.”
Witherspoon, wearing a gem tone green Haney frock, lit up at the mention of her “Big Little Lies” Emmy nomination — the actress’ first. “I’ve never made a TV show before so it’s exciting. The rules [for TV] have changed because the audiences have changed — they watch more television than they do movies, but it’s all about finding your female audience.”
Continue reading this entry »
Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon & Alexander Skarsgard Talk ‘Big Little Lies’ Season 2 & Who Is Behind Those Binoculars
Much like we learned over the spring, season 2 of HBO’s Big Little Lies is still in the very early stages of development.
Reese Witherspoon told Deadline today, “We had initial conversations with (author) Liane Moriarty and she’s thinking about it, it’s up to her.”
“She is writing ideas and we’re hopeful,” said Nicole Kidman, “The characters are all so strong and to just leave them would be sad.”
Today, Big Little Lies, racked up 16 Emmy nominations including best limited series, Witherspoon and Kidman as lead limited series actress, Laura Dern and Shailene Woodley as best supporting actress limited series and Alexander Skarsgard as best supporting actor in the category.
Back in April, Moriarty told the Sydney Morning Herald that she was approached by the producers of the HBO series, and that she’d like write the next iteration of the show as a story, not as a novel.
Told in present and flashbacks, Big Little Lies, based off the 2014 New York Times bestseller, is about an elementary school-related murder that rocks a highly affluent enclave of Monterey, CA where the moms rule the community with a catty fist. At the center are three women: Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), a posh housewife who is cheating on her husband; Celeste, a lawyer who is being sexually abused by her husband (Nicole Kidman); and Jane (Shailene Woodley), a mysterious single mom who has just moved into town. The series’ focus on the underbelly of upper-middle-class suburbia has hit a number of viewers, especially women, on a gut level. Kidman, who was bestowed with her second Emmy nom today, said “Everywhere I go from London to Australia, everyone talks about its topics, and I’ve never had that type of response in my career.”
Continue reading this entry »
Congratulations to Reese and her Big Little Lies cast and crew for their Emmy nominations today! Reese scored a nomination for Best Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie alongside her co-star Nicole Kidman, and the show gained an impressive total of 16 nominations!
The Emmy Awards will be held on September 17th.
Best Limited Series
Big Little Lies (HBO)
Fargo (FX)
Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Genius (National Geographic)
The Night Of (HBO)
Best Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies)
Jessica Lange (Feud)
Susan Sarandon (Feud)
Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies)
Carrie Coon (Fargo)
Felicity Huffman (American Crime)
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
Laura Dern (Big Little Lies)
Judy Davis (Feud)
Jackie Hoffman (Feud)
Regina King (American Crime)
Michelle Pfeiffer (The Wizard of Lies)
Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies)
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
Bill Camp (The Night Of)
Alfred Molina (Feud)
Alexander Skarsgard (Big Little Lies)
David Thewlis (Fargo)
Stanley Tucci (Feud)
Michael K. Williams (The Night Of)
Continue reading this entry »
(Page: 22 of 35) « First «...10 ...18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ...» Last »
|
The Morning Show (2019)
