Connection that made Woodley more receptive to Dern’s suggestion.
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How Laura Dern Convinced Shailene Woodley to Join the Cast of Big Little Lies
The critically acclaimed miniseries Big Little Lies on HBO captivated audiences worldwide, thanks in part to its stellar cast. Among them, two standout actresses, Laura Dern and Shailene Woodley, contributed to the show’s undeniable success. Their collaboration turned heads, but how did Dern manage to convince Woodley to take on the role in this gripping drama? Let’s dive deep into this fascinating story!
The Background of Big Little Lies
Based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, Big Little Lies explores the seemingly perfect lives of several women in Monterey, California. As the story unfolds, dark secrets and personal dramas are revealed, leading to a shocking murder mystery. With a star-studded cast including Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, and more, this series received widespread acclaim and numerous awards.
The Role of Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley plays the character of Jane Chapman, a single mother who navigates a tumultuous life with her young son. The chance to portray such a complex character fits perfectly into Woodley’s acting repertoire, but she initially hesitated to join the project. This is where Laura Dern comes into play.
Laura Dern’s Persuasive Techniques
Laura Dern, who plays the ambitious and flawed Renata Klein, had a significant impact on Shailene’s decision to sign on for Big Little Lies. Here are some factors that contributed to Dern’s persuasive power:
- Shared History: Dern and Woodley had previously collaborated on the The Fault in Our Stars. Their established friendship created a trusted
The Original Cast of “Big Little Lies”: A Near Miss
The renowned HBO series “Big Little Lies,” featuring a powerhouse cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman, could have taken a different shape entirely. In an insightful conversation with Vanity Fair, Woodley shared her initial doubts about accepting the role—a decision she almost didn’t make.
Reflecting on Early Hesitations
Woodley recalls receiving the call about the project in late 2015 when she was dealing with health issues. Despite her passion for storytelling and artistry remaining intact, the pressures of Hollywood had begun to weigh heavily on her. “I remember that call very clearly,” Woodley explained. “At that moment in my life, I was drained—not from acting or being creative—but from navigating through the demands of the industry.”
The allure of collaborating with Jean-Marc Vallée—the show’s late creator and director—was strong for her. Woodley praised Vallée as an extraordinary artist whose vision she admired deeply.
Nevertheless, what held Woodley back was a yearning for self-discovery during a particularly transformative time in her life.
A Friend’s Timely Advice
A pivotal phone conversation with Laura Dern changed everything for Woodley. If not already in India at that time—or perhaps just moments before she boarded—Dern reached out to discuss her feelings regarding taking on Jane’s character. “She said something profound: ‘I understand where you are right now; it can feel overwhelming,’” recalled Woodley of Dern’s encouraging words.
Laura urged her: “‘What I perceive is your true calling at this juncture is storytelling; turning down this opportunity would be a huge loss.’”
Thanks to Dern’s supportive advice moments before leaving India, which compelled her to return stateside and accept the role, Woodley’s life took a dramatic turn—a shift she credits directly to this courageous display of friendship.
Bonds Beyond The Screen
As they reflected upon their journey together during interviews following their acclaimed project’s success, Shailene described Laura as more than just a co-star but “like family.” She recounted fond memories made alongside friends like Witherspoon and Kidman while emphasizing how real-life camaraderie translates into their characters’ chemistry onscreen.
“We’ve formed enduring friendships,” stated Shailene referring warmly to their dynamic offscreen with co-stars like Kravitz and Witherspoon while commenting on potential third season developments over five years after Season 2 aired.
“We keep our group text lively,” shared Woodley about checking-in periodically regarding updates on Season 3. “It seems there is movement towards making it happen—I’ve heard whispers but haven’t seen any scripts yet.”
Notably echoing Shailene’s sentiments about limited details surrounding new episodes echoed Kravitz who mentioned last August her lack of concrete updates—even after Nicole accidentally hinted at some information last year—but expressed enthusiasm nonetheless while waiting eagerly by “the phone” for news regarding scripts and upcoming shoots.
Catch Up on Previous Seasons
Fans eager to relive every twist and turn mentioned in seasons one and two are reminded they can stream all episodes directly through Max—all set amidst beautiful coastal landscapes interwoven within heartfelt narratives.