Big Little Lies and The Handmaid’s Tale

I’m LOVING the newest seasons of Big Little Lies (HBO) and The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu). What the two shows have in common is that their first seasons are based on novels and any seasons going forward take the characters far beyond the books. And in both cases, the risk was worth it. I love what the shows’ writers have done with these beloved characters and storylines.

What else do these two shows have in common? Their newest seasons feature guest stars who are absolutely fantastic in complicated, layered roles. Meryl Streep is stirring up trouble on Big Little Lies as is Bradley Whitford in seasons two and three of The Handmaid’s Tale.

If you’re looking for some good summer television, start at the beginning. And I don’t often say this, but in both cases I think the shows are even better than the books. Yep.

As far as friendships in these shows: Big Littles Lies doesn’t start out with a classic group of friends, but by this season, which goes beyond the scope of the book, the women have all come together to protect each other. There is still a lack of depth to these friendships, in my opinion—even with the emergency circumstances. And Handmaid’s Tale is ALL emergency circumstances. Watching the women have to trust each other, whether they’re friends or not, is one of the most compelling parts of the show.

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Nina Badzin hosts the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's been writing about friendship since 2014, co-leads the writing groups at ModernWell in Minneapolis, and reviews 30+ books a year on her website.

2 Responses

  1. Big Little Lies has been amazing. I don’t know how they’re going to wrap it all up in only two more episodes. Meryl Streep is beyond.

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Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

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Hi, I'm Nina

DEAR NINA: Conversations About Friendship is a podcast and newsletter about the ups and downs of adult friendship. I’m the host, Nina Badzin, a Minneapolis-based writer who accepted a position as a friendship advice columnist in 2014 and never stopped. DEAR NINA, the podcast, started in 2021, and has been referenced in The Wall Street JournalThe Washington PostTime Magazine, The GuardianThe Chicago TribuneThe Minneapolis Star Tribune, and elsewhere

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