When Meryl Streep decides to become a part of a television series after just one season, it's a clear sign that something extraordinary is at hand. Streep holds the remarkable record of having received a whopping 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three times. She also holds the title of being the most nominated actor for a Golden Globe, with an astonishing 34 nominations. At this point, she truly embodies the status of a living legend.

Streep's Passion for Great Projects

Meryl Streep has amassed a resume that would make most actors tremble with fear. However, her filmography seems relatively small when compared to her unwavering passion for exceptional projects. In 2019, when she joined the HBO limited series "Big Little Lies", people were eager to understand the reason behind her decision to join the already star-studded cast.

About "Big Little Lies"

"Big Little Lies" was released in 2017 by HBO and is based on the 2014 novel by Liane Moriarty. Initially billed as a miniseries, it was granted a second season in 2019. The story revolves around three wealthy women who become entangled in a murder case in their hometown of Monterey, California. The main antagonist of the series is Perry Wright, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, who is the husband of Celeste Wright, played by Nicole Kidman. By the end of the first season, Perry meets a tragic end. In the second season, Streep steps in as Mary Louise Wright, Perry's mother, to investigate her son's death.Before the second season's release, during a panel conversation moderated by Vanity Fair's Radhika Jones, Streep shared the circumstances that led to her joining the cast. She revealed that she received a call from her agent who said, "Nicole wanted to ask you something." Streep continued, expressing her excitement when she learned the role was in "Big Little Lies". She was not only willing to join the show but was also thrilled to discover that another season was in the works.The key factor that sealed the deal might have been the fact that "Mary Louise", the character Streep was set to portray, is actually her own legal name. When author Liane Moriarty wrote the novel, she had Streep in mind for the role and deliberately named the character with the hope that Streep would play her if a screen adaptation were to occur.During the panel, Streep further said, "My agent said, 'Don't you want to read it [the script]?' I said no." This statement caused Witherspoon, seated beside her, to react dramatically. Streep emphasized that the show was the greatest thing on television and that there wasn't a woman in the room who wouldn't want to be a part of it.If you still have doubts, consider this: the first season of the black comedy drama received eight Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes. And as for the fate of "the greatest thing on television"? Last November, Nicole Kidman announced that a third season would be produced. Fans are eagerly waiting.