Shailene Woodley on Big Little Lies Impact

Shailene Woodley almost turned down her role as Jane Chapman in the acclaimed HBO series 'Big Little Lies,' despite her eagerness to work with creator Jean-Marc Vallée. At the time, Woodley was planning a journey to India for self-discovery, feeling exhausted by Hollywood rather than acting itself. It was her co-star Laura Dern who persuaded Woodley to reconsider by emphasizing her storytelling talent and the unique opportunity the role presented. Dern's encouragement led Woodley to abandon her trip and return to the United States to join the series, a decision she credits with significantly altering her life. The show, which includes a star-studded cast of Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, and Zoë Kravitz, has been a major success, earning Woodley multiple award nominations. Woodley now reflects on her relationship with Dern as one akin to sisterhood, underscoring the profound impact of Dern's support.