Leslie Massey
The popular television series Big Little Lies is set in the tranquil beachfront town of Monterey, California. The show is based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, which takes place in a fictional Australian town. The shift in setting from Australia to California was made by showrunner David E. Kelley, and the author welcomed the change, noting the similarities between the two settings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting of the novel | A fictional Australian town |
| Setting of the TV series | Monterey, California |
| Locations in the TV series | Bixby Bridge, Monterey State Beach, Nepenthe in Big Sur, Pasadena, Malibu, Los Angeles |
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What You'll Learn
The book is set in a fictional Australian town
The book "Big Little Lies" is set in a fictional Australian town. The novel, written by Liane Moriarty, was published in 2014 and takes place in a beachside town on the coast of Australia. While the exact location within Australia is not specified, it is described as a tranquil beachfront town where three mothers unravel dark secrets within their seemingly perfect community.
When the book was adapted into an HBO television series, the setting was changed to Monterey, California. This decision was made by showrunner David E. Kelley, who chose to base the show in the United States rather than Australia. The move to California allowed for stunning visuals of the state's famous coastline and celebrity inhabitants.
While the show is primarily set in Monterey, there are several notable filming locations throughout California. The Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in the state, is featured in the show's opening credits. The bridge is part of California's iconic Highway 1 and is located on the Big Sur coastline.
Other filming locations include Malibu, where Laura Dern's character Renata Klein lives in a hilltop mansion, and Pasadena, where Jane's house is located. The yoga studio and the inside of the school are also filmed in Los Angeles, along with some exterior shots.
The decision to change the setting from the fictional Australian town of the book to the real-life locations in California allowed for a more tangible and visually appealing adaptation. The move also helped to showcase the beauty of California's coastline and provided a similar atmosphere to the Australian setting originally imagined by the author.
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The TV show is set in California
The TV show Big Little Lies is set in California, specifically in the beachfront town of Monterey. The story revolves around three mothers who uncover dark secrets within their affluent community. While the novel by Liane Moriarty was originally set in a fictional Australian suburb, the TV adaptation relocates the narrative to California.
The choice to set the show in California was made by showrunner David E. Kelley, who recognised the similarities between the Australian setting of the novel and the picturesque landscapes of California. The state's stunning coastline and celebrity inhabitants provided the perfect backdrop for the show's dramatic narrative.
Monterey, with its breathtaking beaches and stunning ocean views, became a character in its own right. The show highlights the beauty of locations like the Bixby Bridge, which appears in the opening credits, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is a prominent landmark in the area.
In addition to Monterey, the show also features other locations in California. The city of Malibu, known for its luxurious properties, serves as the setting for some of the characters' homes. Pasadena, located north-east of Los Angeles, is where Jane's house is situated, and the city of Los Angeles itself provides a backdrop for some exterior shots, including the yoga studio and the school featured in the show.
The decision to set the show in California allowed for a seamless translation of the novel's themes and storylines onto the screen, while also showcasing the unique characteristics and attractions of the Golden State.
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Bixby Bridge features in the opening credits
Bixby Bridge, located in Big Sur, California, features in the opening credits of the American psychological dark comedy-drama television series Big Little Lies. The bridge, which is about 30 minutes south of Monterey, has become a popular spot for tourists and fans of the show alike, who are drawn to its classic design and panoramic views of the ocean. The bridge has also made appearances in several other films and TV shows.
Big Little Lies, based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, is set in the tranquil beachfront town of Monterey, California. The series follows three mothers, played by Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, and Shailene Woodley, who become embroiled in a homicide investigation. The show received critical acclaim for its writing, directing, acting, production values, cinematography, and soundtrack.
Monterey, California, served as the backdrop for many of the show's most memorable scenes, including the iconic shot of the Bixby Bridge. The stretch of coastline in Pacific Grove, from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to just past Lover's Point, is Ocean View Boulevard, which was the setting for many scenes featuring Jane and her son, Ziggy. The house where Celeste (Nicole Kidman) lived is located on Yankee Point Road in Carmel Highlands, and the scene where Madeline and Jane meet for the first time was filmed at Lovers Point State Marine Reserve.
The Bixby Bridge's appearance in the opening credits of Big Little Lies has drawn some confusion from viewers, as the characters are shown driving across it frequently, despite living in Monterey and their children attending school there. However, the bridge's visual appeal and the gorgeous scenery it offers have undoubtedly added to the allure of the show.
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The beach scenes were filmed in Monterey State Beach
The popular American TV series Big Little Lies is set in the tranquil beachfront town of Monterey, California. The beach scenes in the series were filmed in Monterey State Beach, a protected beach on the southern Monterey Bay in Monterey County, California. The beach extends from the city of Monterey to Seaside, with the Seaside end being a popular launch spot for paragliders.
Monterey State Beach is a favourite place for surfers and tidepool watchers, and fishing is also permitted. The beach is open for day use and offers a beautiful setting for outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. It is known for its white sand and is positioned between the mouth of the Cooks River and the mouth of the Georges River on the western shore of Botany Bay.
While the series is set in Monterey, California, there is also a Monterey Beach in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This beach is located on the eastern boundary of the St George District in the southern suburbs of Sydney and is part of the famous Lady Robinsons Beach. It is a small but wide beach with a beautiful backdrop of a small park and a paved promenade.
The beach scenes in the series Big Little Lies were specifically filmed in Monterey State Beach in California, which offers a picturesque setting for the show's tranquil beachfront town of Monterey.
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The houses are not in the Monterey area
Although the show Big Little Lies is set in the tranquil beachfront town of Monterey, California, the houses featured in the show are not all in the Monterey area. The book on which the show is based is set in a fictional Australian town, but showrunner David E. Kelley decided to base the show in California.
The house that Nicole Kidman's character Celeste lived in is on Yankee Point Road in Carmel Highlands. The stretch of coastline in Pacific Grove from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to just past Lover's Point is Ocean View Boulevard and is the setting for many scenes shot in the series, especially those featuring Jane and her son, Ziggy. Lover's Point Beach and Lover's Point Park, where Jane talks to Celeste, are also featured in the show. The Bixby Bridge, which is part of California's famous Highway 1, is featured in the show's opening credits, but it is actually 20 miles from the bridge to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Some of the show is filmed in Malibu, including the house of Laura Dern's character, Renata Klein, which is a gorgeous hilltop mansion. Reese's character, Madeline, also has a beachside villa in Malibu. Pasadena, a city northeast of Los Angeles, is where you'd find Jane's house, where she lives with her son, Ziggy.
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Frequently asked questions
The show Big Little Lies is set in Monterey, California.
The show Big Little Lies was not filmed in Australia. However, the book it is based on is set in a fictional Australian town.
Some specific filming locations in California for the show Big Little Lies include Bixby Bridge, Lovers Point State Marine Reserve, and Del Monte Beach.
