Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon set to star in TV drama

The roles will mark the actresses' biggest TV performances to date

Oscar-winning actresses Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are set to co-star in their biggest TV series to date.

The actresses will star in a new drama based on the book Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, which tells the story of three mothers with children in nursery school who get caught up in a murder mystery.

Described as a subversive comedy, the series will be penned by Ally McBeal writer David E Kelly, who will also serve as a producer alongside Witherspoon and Kidman.

The third role has yet to be cast.

Witherspoon and Kidman’s respective production companies Pacific Standard and Blossom Films optioned the rights to the Australian author’s novel earlier this year for the actresses to star and produce.

The comedy drama has yet to be bought by a network. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is reportedly being shopped to premium US cable networks including HBO, and streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.

Witherspoon last appeared on TV in 2000 in the US sitcom Friends as Rachel Green’s on-screen sister Jill.

Kidman appeared in a number of Australian TV series at the start of her career including Five Mile Creek and Winners but has not appeared on the small screen since.

Witherspoon and Kidman are set to follow in the footsteps of a handful of Hollywood actors who have turned to TV projects in the past year, including Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson (True Detective) and Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman (Fargo).

Zach Braff also told The Independent earlier this year he planned to return to TV with a new comedy series.