Ever since we learned the news that Meryl Streep would be joining the cast of Big Little Lies, we've been counting down the days until the cast spilt the beans on what it's like having such an iconic member of Hollywood join their ranks.

After all, with 21 Oscar nominations and three wins over the years, I think we can agree Streep is somewhat of a pro on the big screen.

This week, Witherspoon opened up about Season 2 of the hit show, and revealed filming starts on Friday 16 March. Yes, that's right – next week!

'Not only do we have every cast member coming back, but also Meryl Streep is joining us,' she added.

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Streep will play Mary Louise Wright, the mother to Perry Wright – aka the dead, abusive and manipulating husband to Nicole Kidman's Celeste.

Unsurprisingly, the Iron Lady's character comes to Monterey looking for answers about her son's passing and shows a concern for her grandchildren.

Opening up about the moment she found out Streep wanted to join the show, Witherspoon said: 'Well, she sent an email to Nicole and I. And it said, "OK, I read the part and I love it and I'm going to do it."

'And I like dropped the phone, like mic drop, but I phone dropped. And then I called Nicole and I was like, "Is this real life? Is this really happening?" And then I got off the phone with Nicole and I, like, hugged myself gently for a minute and said, "This is really happening. You're really working with Meryl Streep".'

The cast and crew of 'Big Little Lies'pinterest
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Kidman and Witherspoon work as executive producers as well as stars on Big Little Lies, so it's no surprise they were impressed with their latest recruitment.

Following her phone conversation with Kidman, Witherspoon said she called writer David E. Kelley and said: ''You better write me good scenes with Meryl Streep!'

The new season is written by Kelley, but based on a story by original Big Little Lies novel author Liane Moriarty.

Discussing what's in store for Season 2, Moriarty recently told The Sydney Morning Herald she wants to bring in 'more of Bonnie's story from the book' and Celeste's grieving process following Perry's death.

'When you've been through a relationship like that, how do you feel now? How would she feel? She's grieving. She's still grieving for the end of a terrible relationship and I think that would be a really interesting thing to explore,' she said.

And that's not all.

Writer David E. Kelley has already hinted there might be future seasons of the HBO drama in store for fans.

'I guess you have to say a little open-minded, because we were convinced the first one was a one-off,' Kelley told The Hollywood Reporter. 'But we're equally convinced that Season 2 will be it, too... Maybe not equally, but in my mind it's only one more year.'

Well, minds do change, do they not?

Season 2, which will see Andrea Arnold replace Jean-Marc Vallée as director, will explore the 'malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting. Relationships will fray, loyalties will erode … the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom,' according to HBO.

Streep, we welcome you with open arms.

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Katie O'Malley
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.