‘I’M FINALLY IN CHARGE’
The actress on female power and choosing her own happy ending
Hollywood icon Reese Witherspoon on female power
Returning for the second series of the subversive and darkly comedic Big Little Lies (Fox Showcase), executive producer and star Reese Witherspoon is joined by returning executive producer and star Nicole Kidman, co-stars Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley and new cast member Meryl Streep as a grieving mother with an inquiring mind. “The second season is about recovery from trauma,” says Witherspoon, 43. “And about learning to look at yourself through a real clear lens.” Speaking to WHO, the actress does some self-examination of her own on spilling secrets, lousy behaviour and raising teens.
How good are you with secrets?
I don’t have a lot of secrets, but I think it’s fascinating what we do and don’t tell people, even our closest friends. What’s fascinating about the show is that they all seem very intimate, but actually, you’ll start to see my character [Madeline] challenging Celeste [played by Nicole Kidman]. Because is that a real friendship, if you’re not sharing the parts of you that are most vulnerable?
How did you feel about Meryl’s character insulting your height?
David E. Kelley wrote all those short jokes. He found everyone’s vulnerability and then had her character attack us where we were most sensitive. I was always the shortest girl in class, and my mother taught me to say, “Better things come in smaller packages.” Have you ever come across adults misbehaving?
I work in Hollywood! I’ve watched a lot of really bad behaviour. You just try not to get involved, and when you see crazy, you walk away from it. As I get older, I get to pick and choose who I want to work with. It feels really good to be in a position to actually take control of not only the stories you tell but the people you work with. Were you satisfied with this season’s ending? It’s so good. Sorry, good’s probably not a good enough adjective. Controversial, I would say.
We shot a bunch of different endings and then we made a choice later. All seven producers watched them and then we weren’t allowed to talk to each other. The next day we got on the phone and we all had it out! And, oh, we had some arguments! We said, “But the audience wants this!” “But this is what they need!” So I can’t wait for people to see it because I think it will be a conversation starter. Are you happy with what was chosen? I am thrilled. Mainly because I think it lets the audience have their own opinions of whether or not – I don’t want to give too much away – these women are making the right choice for their lives. Is that too much?
So you got to decide on the ending, too? Nicole and I were talking about it, and after our long, long careers, it’s kind of remarkable that we feel it’s the first time people are actually listening to us – creatively, about the scripts, about the post-production and about the edit. When we step into those leadership roles, then the younger generations will know that’s possible, and hopefully will do even greater things.
How well do you get along with Nicole?
It really is a testament to female partnership how amazing we are together. We’re very fine as individuals, but we are extraordinary together because we support each other and completely understand what we’re trying to accomplish as a team. I’m so grateful for her. How did Meryl joining the group change the dynamic?
She would wrap for the day and just put it all aside and say, “Where shall we go to dinner, girls? Are we having wine?” She would tell us stories about Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie’s Choice … It makes me want to cry, thinking of all these amazing stories about her experiences she shared with us.
What’s new with the family? My husband [Jim Toth] brought home a puppy. The children named him Lou. It’s been great! He’s an English Bulldog and so cute. My 6-yearold son [Tennessee] says, “He has blue eyes, just like me!” It’s provided a great sense of responsibility for my youngest.
What’s happening with your older kids?
My daughter [Ava, with ex Ryan Phillippe] is 19 and in college now. And my son [Deacon] is in high school. Neither one of them shows signs of wanting to be in the movie business, but my son is very interested in music. He’s 15 and he’s been driving, which is sort of terrifying. Are they dating?
Lots of dating! My house is filled with teenagers all the time, which is so fun. It’s nice being the mum of a teenager. We have great conversations and we get to travel and talk about issues. But they sleep late, and I don’t. And I go to bed early and they don’t. And then I have a 6-year-old who is about to go to first grade, so it’s nice to have one in the young stages, too!
“We shot a bunch of different endings”