Meryl Streep joins Big Little Lies series 2 – at a hefty price
Meryl Streep is to join HBO's hit drama Big Little Lies for its second season, for a reported salary of around $800,000 an episode.
Streep joins a cast that includes Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, both reportedly set to take home $1m each per episode.
Variety reports that the three-time Oscar-winning actress is to play the mother of Alexander Skarsgård’s character, Perry, and mother-in-law of Kidman's character, Celeste.
The first season followed the events leading up to a murder in Monterey, California, told through a series of flashbacks. A critical hit, described by The Telegraph's Jane Mulkerrins as "beautiful – and utterly addictive", it won eight Emmys including Best Limited Series.
The announcement last November that there would be a second season prompted speculation that the Emmys may have to change their rules for eligibility, as the show was originally promoted as a one-off miniseries.
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According to HBO, the second season will explore the "malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting. Relationships will fray, loyalties will erode … the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom."
The show's creator, David E Kelley, had previously hinted that he would like to bring Streep on board, telling the Hollywood Reporter last year that his dream casting goal was "adding Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep to Big Little Lies." As yet, there has been no word about Hanks – but don't rule him out for season three.
