Big Little Lies director Andrea Arnold reportedly had creative control 'yanked away' from her


The making of this season of HBO's Big Little Lies looks to have been just as contentious as anything happening in Monterey.
A new report from IndieWire details behind-the-scenes drama on the hit HBO series, with director Andrea Arnold reportedly having had creative control "yanked away" from her after all of the episodes were shot. Rather than Arnold, it was reportedly Jean-Marc Vallée, who directed every episode of Big Little Lies' first season, who oversaw post-production this season and has shaped the final product.
Arnold, the report says, began working on season two after being promised she'd get to do things her way. Despite this, "it had always been the plan, although unbeknownst to Arnold, for Vallée to become re-involved." Big Little Lies producers, who were concerned about whether season two would feel enough like season one in the hands of a new director, reportedly recruited Arnold because Vallée was busy, but they felt that Vallée could simply take her footage and turn it "into the show's distinctive style in post-production."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Yet no one told Arnold this might happen, and she fully expected she'd be involved during the entire process, the report says. Evidently, no concerns were ever voiced during the shoot that the series wasn't adhering to Vallée's style, either, and Vallée and Arnold never actually spoke, even though he would go on to remove her "signature contributions" in editing.
After the season wrapped, producers also reportedly called for 17 more days of shooting, at which point Vallée became "extremely hands-on" and the story was reworked quite significantly. Edits also reportedly involved chopping down longer episodes into the short 40-minute outings viewers have seen; apparently, far more than that now infamously cut ice cream scene has been getting excised.
HBO in a statement praised Arnold and said it is "extremely proud of her work," but Arnold has reportedly been "heartbroken" by the "devastating" experience. Read the full report at IndieWire.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 29, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - my way or Norway, running orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 tactically sound cartoons about the leaked Signal chat
Cartoons Artists take on the clown signal, baby steps, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Roast lamb shoulder with ginger and fresh turmeric recipe
The Week Recommends Succulent and tender and falls off the bone with ease
By The Week UK Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published