I can confirm that this is indeed real life, no matter how much the news sounds like a magical dream: Shailene Woodley has joined HBO's Big Little Lies , alongside Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. The HBO limited series is based on the 2014 novel of the same name, and centers around three mothers of kindergartners who find themselves caught up in a murder mystery. Kidman revealed Woodley had joined the cast at The Hindustan Times Leadership Project in New Delhi. While Woodley had been rumored to be involved with the project, which is being produced by Kidman and Witherspoon with TV legend David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice) set to write the series, this is the first time her involvement has been confirmed.
With three amazing actresses anchoring the project, Big Little Lies is totally destined to be your new favorite HBO show. I mean, with so many talented women on board it is basically a guarantee. The source material is powerful as well. Written by Liane Moriarty, Big Little Lies tackles serious issues including domestic abuse and the ways it touches every part of the characters' lives. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Woodley is set to take on the role of young single mother Jane — which shouldn't be a problem for the former star of ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Since her days as a young mother on The Secret Life, Woodley has been busy building an impressive film career. Her breakout role came in The Descendants, in which she played George Clooney's eldest daughter who was grappling with her mother's coma. Since then, Woodley has been tearing up the big screen on a regular basis. She totally nailed the role of beloved YA character Hazel in 2014's The Fault in Our Stars and she is a complete badass as Tris is the Divergent series. Not only is she set to continue playing Tris through the 2017 film Ascendant, Woodley has also landed a role in the Oliver Stone drama Snowden.
There is no denying Woodley's star is on the rise and Big Little Lies is going to give Woodley yet another outlet to show off her talent. The most exciting part is seeing her star alongside two women who have earned the moniker of Hollywood legends at this point. Witherspoon and Kidman are both Academy Award winners, and they elevate every project they are involved in. To see them recognize Woodley's talent is a major deal and it is bound to lead to a show no one will be able to look away from.
There's no word yet on when Big Little Lies is set to air, but since Kidman starts filming in January, hopefully that means you won't have to wait long to see these three powerhouse actresses slaying it together on HBO.
