HBO has confirmed that Big Little Lies Season 2 is officially happening with a new director. The announcement comes after months of speculation about the return of the hit limited series, with the actresses involved publically stating that they would all like to come back. The production has tapped Andrea Arnold, who won an Oscar for writing and directing her short film Wasp, to helm all seven episodes of the second season. Sources close to the project claim that the search for a director is what delayed the official announcement of Big Little Lies Season 2.

Stars and executive producers Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are confirmed to return for season two and most of the original cast are expected to return, as negotiations are underway. Sources close to the project claim that Witherspoon and Kidman had been seeking raises after Season One, especially after Reese Witherspoon inked a massive deal at Apple to star and produce a morning show drama that will pay her an estimated $1.5 million per episode. Zoe Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Adam Scott have all expressed interest in coming back for a second season.

During Season One of Big Little Lies, Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club) shot all seven episodes. For the Second Season, Andrea Arnold (Amazon's Transparent, American Honey) is taking over. Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman released a joint statement about the upcoming season of this HBO series. Witherspoon had this to say.

"It gives us the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of these intriguing and intricate Monterey families and bring more of their stories back to the audience who embraced and championed them. I'm beyond excited to be working with talented and acclaimed director Andrea Arnold who will be at the helm. Andrea's unique storytelling style will be a welcome addition to the filmmaking team."

Nicole Kidman added that she is excited to get to work with her friends again. Kidman also revealed that she was "inspired" by the immense popularity of the show. She had this to say.

"This is inspired by the overwhelming response by audiences around the world  ... What a journey this has been. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to keep exploring these female characters and make this series with my friends."

Jean-Marc Vallee recently said that he would like to work with the cast again, but not for a possible Big Little Lies Season Two, stating that, "We won't give you a season two because it's so good like this... why spoil it?" Many fans thought the same thing since the show was meant to be a one-off series based off of Liane Moriarty's book of the same name. After the series ended, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman were publically asking fans to ask Moriarty to write more for their characters. The new episodes are all based off of a story that was partially written by Moriarty.

HBO also released a statement and says Season Two of Big Little Lies will explore some of the same territory as the first season while breaking new ground. It looks like there will be a lot to take in with 7 brand new episodes. HBO had this to say.

"(Season Two 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 move will be seen as controversial by some fans of Big Little Lies since the show was deemed to be just fine the way it was and now they could run the risk of turning into True Detective, which was never able to capture the magic of the first season. You can read more about the upcoming Second Season of Big Little Lies via Entertainment Weekly.