It’s been five years since Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon last shared the screen in the second season of Big Little Lies. But in a recent reunion-style interview for Vanity Fair, the multi-hyphenate Hollywood alumnus got candid about their shared experiences navigating the industry, their pivot into producing and (most importantly) teased that the highly-anticipated third season was “taking good shape”.
The pair swapped stories about everything from their regular “walk in the woods” in Nashville to Kidman being able to “get away with murder” while working with the late auteur Stanley Kubrick during the production of 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut. Yet, when the topic turned to their on-set antics while filming the first season of Liane Moriarty’s best-selling book, they confirmed there was an uncertain sentiment underscoring filming because of the contrasting tones within the series.
Picking up with Kidman questioning Witherspoon about her nickname for Laura Dern (but, more on that later), the Hello Sunshine founder recounted a story in which she shared her doubts with co-star a week into shooting. “I called her and was like, ‘Dern, I was so funny today!’ and she was like, ‘Reese, I was so funny in my scene yesterday,” the Morning Wars actress began. “I was like ‘I know, but hold on, because then I went to work today and Nicole is in the most serious drama I’ve ever seen,” she continued with a laugh before Kidman chimed in to say, “That’s right!”
In unison, the pair then said: “This show is not going to work!” Between giggles, Witherspoon managed to steer the conversation back to a sincere note, acknowledging that the formula and black comedy script was what made it work. Two successful seasons and an awards sweep later, safe to say these two were proven wrong.
We here at GRAZIA firmly believe that Witherspoon and Kidman deserve a Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda-style career and continue to appear on our screens for time immemorial. The duo showed off a side of their friendship that we never see when Kidman questioned why Witherspoon only refers to Dern by her last name. “I hate how you call her Dern, though,” Kidman said. “It sounds weird. I’m always like, “Laura.” And you’re like, “No, Dern. Dern. Dern.”
Witherspoon offered this as an explanation: “My name’s Laura and her name’s Laura, and it’s confusing to me. My real name’s Laura Jeanne. I get confused, so I just call her Dern.” Kidman didn’t buy the rationale, lovingly responding, “She doesn’t call you Laura, though. Anyway.”
If there’s one thing you see today—other than a rewatch of Big Little Lies prompted by reading this article—let it be this 13 minute long sweet interaction. Watch the tender moment below:
