Big Little Lies renewed for season 2 with Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon

HBO says the dark drama Big Little Liesis coming back for a second season.

The channel said Friday that Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon will again star and serve as executive producers of the Emmy-winning series.

The new episodes are based in part on a story by Liane Moriarty, author of the novel Big Little Lies.

The drama's first-season writer, David E. Kelly, is returning to write the seven new episodes. Andrea Arnold, whose credits include Transparent,will direct.

HBO said the series will explore friendships, the fragility of marriage and include the potential for "emotional and bodily injury."

The first season of Big Little Liesincluded domestic abuse and a violent death.

An air date for season two was not announced.