Big Little Lies: HBO responds to reports of behind-the-scenes drama on Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep show

Execs reportedly concerned second season isn't up to scratch with first

HBO has responded to reports of fraught tensions behind-the-scenes on Big Little Lies.

The premium cable network addressed an IndieWire article that said creative control over the successful show was “yanked away” from director Andrea Arnold and handed back to season one’s overseer Jean-Marc Vallée.

It was reported that American Honey director Arnold wasn’t told that her footage would be re-edited by Vallée in an attempt to emulate the feel of the first season – and was left “heartbroken” having had her “grace notes” scratched from the show at the request of executive producer David E Kelly.

HBO said in a statement: “There wouldn’t be a season two of Big Little Lies without Andrea Arnold. We at HBO and the producers are extremely proud of her work. As with any television project, the executive producers work collaboratively on the series and we think the final product speaks for itself.”

According to IndieWire, 17 additional days of photography were added that Arnold was present at due to Director Guild of America rules.

However, it was allegedly Vallée who took charge adding flashbacks and tweaking the story in an attempt to trim Arnold’s “ephemeral” work.

None of the show’s stars, including Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep, have commented on the reports.