Who Is Dead on HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies’?

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Big Little Lies - Alexander Skarsgård and Nicole Kidman
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Perry Wright

Perry (Alexander Skarsgård) is a strong contender to kick the bucket soon. In the first episode of the series, he goes from the world’s greatest husband to scary domestic abuser when he grabs Celeste’s arm during an argument about their children.

With their relationship already on thin ice, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Celeste finally snaps back and takes out her husband.

Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Celeste Wright

On the flip side, Celeste (Nicole Kidman) could ultimately meet her fate at the hands of her violent husband Perry.

While everyone in Monterey thinks they have the perfect relationship, only she knows the dark reality of their brutal marriage. It also doesn’t help that by the end of the second episode we find out their physical fights turn into passionate sexual encounters—which Perry seems to enjoy.

Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman in Big Little Lies
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Jane Chapman

Jane (Shailene Woodley), a new mom in town with a sordid, secretive past, is our most mysterious potential victim. Unlike the other women she lives in a tiny house with a hole in the door; the father of her child is not in the picture; and she sleeps on a pull-out sofa with a gun under her pillow.

Tension is rising between her and Renata (Laura Dern) over Ziggy’s touchy behavior with Amabella, and if there’s one thing these Type-A moms won’t tolerate it’s someone messing with their kids.

Big Little Lies, Reese Witherspoon
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Madeline Mackenzie

Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) would make an easy target—a really easy target—considering most of the Monterey moms seem to dislike her chatty personality.

In the first episode of the season, a few of residents hint that Madeline might have caused the murder when she injured herself in Jane’s presence. Did Jane off Madeline? It seems unlikely, because the two are now besties. However, Madelinehas made plenty of enemies around town, including Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz) and Renata, that could send her six feet under.

Big Little LIes, James Tupper as Nathan Carlson
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Nathan Carlson

Nathan (James Tupper) is walking a thin line with ex-wife Madeline and her new husband Ed. With Nathan parading Bonnie around town, much to Madeline’s annoyance, seemingly sweet Ed straight up threatens him if he doesn’t start showing some respect for Madeline’s feelings.

Is Ed actually capable of going far enough to kill Nathan?

Big Little Lies, Adam Scott
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Ed Mackenzie

Lovable Ed (Adam Scott) is low on the list of potential murder victims, but he has a bit of a dark side, revealed in the second episode, that might get him into trouble. Could Ed’s newfound confidence lead him to an early grave?

Big Little Lies - Zoë Kravitz
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Bonnie Carlson

Madeline has a bone to pick with her ex-husband Nathan’s Bohemian, yoga-loving wife, Bonnie. Madeline’s eldest Daughter, Abigail, is enamored with Bonnie and even turns to her for birth control advice. Could the green-eyed monster name Jealousy send Madeline over the edge with Bonnie as the victim of her rage?

Big Little Lies - Laura Dern
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

Renata Klein

Not many people seem to like career-driven, working mom, Renata Klein. Passive-aggressive as she is, she’s fierce when it comes to protecting her daughter Amabella from the alleged advances of Jane’s son Ziggy, but will Renata get caught in the crossfire of Jane’s drama and end up the victim herself?

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If you’ve been keeping up with HBO’s newest star-studded, guilty pleasure Big Little Lies there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Who was murdered in the mommy-drama town of Monterey? TV Insider has compiled a list of possible victims.

Big Little Lies, Sundays, 9/8c, HBO