Little Fires Everywhere (miniseries)

Little Fires Everywhere is an American drama web television miniseries, based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Celeste Ng. It premiered on Hulu on March 18, 2020 and consists of eight episodes.[1] The series stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, both of whom were also executive producers, alongside Liz Tigelaar, Lauren Neustadter, and Pilar Savone. Set in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio during the late 1990s, it features Witherspoon and Washington as mothers from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Little Fires Everywhere
GenreDrama
Based onLittle Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng
Developed byLiz Tigelaar
Starring
Music by
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Lynn Shelton
  • Liz Tigelaar
  • Kerry Washington
  • Pilar Savone
  • Reese Witherspoon
  • Lauren Neustadter
Producer(s)
  • Celeste Ng
  • Shannon Huston
  • Rosa Handelman
  • Harris Danow
Cinematography
  • Trevor Forrest
  • Jeffrey Waldron
Editor(s)
  • Tyler L. Cook
  • Amelia Allwarden
  • Phyllis Housen
Running time53–66 minutes
Production company(s)
  • Best Day Ever Productions
  • Simpson Street
  • Hello Sunshine
  • ABC Signature Studios
DistributorHulu
Release
Original networkHulu
Original releaseMarch 18 (2020-03-18) –
April 22, 2020 (2020-04-22)

Premise

Little Fires Everywhere follows "the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster."[2]

Cast and characters

Main
  • Reese Witherspoon as Elena Richardson,[3] a journalist, landlady, and mother of four teenagers
  • Kerry Washington as Mia Warren, mother of Pearl, a talented artist who works part time as a waitress[3]
  • Joshua Jackson as Bill Richardson,[3] Elena's husband and a lawyer
  • Rosemarie DeWitt as Linda McCullough, [3] Elena's childhood friend
  • Jade Pettyjohn as Lexie Richardson,[3] Elena's and Bill's eldest daughter, a straight A student
  • Lexi Underwood as Pearl Warren,[3] Mia's daughter, gifted student and budding poet
  • Megan Stott as Izzy Richardson,[3] Elena's and Bill's youngest daughter and the black sheep of the family
  • Gavin Lewis as Moody Richardson,[3] Elena's and Bill's younger son
  • Jordan Elsass as Trip Richardson,[3] Elena's and Bill's older son, a popular jock

Recurring

Guest

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Spark"Lynn SheltonLiz TigelaarMarch 18, 2020 (2020-03-18)
2"Seeds and All"Michael WeaverNancy WonMarch 18, 2020 (2020-03-18)
3"Seventy Cents"Michael WeaverRaamla MohamedMarch 18, 2020 (2020-03-18)
4"The Spider Web"Lynn SheltonAttica LockeMarch 25, 2020 (2020-03-25)
5"Duo"Lynn SheltonRosa HandelmanApril 1, 2020 (2020-04-01)
6"The Uncanny"Nzingha StewartShannon HoustonApril 8, 2020 (2020-04-08)
7"Picture Perfect"Nzingha StewartHarris DanowApril 15, 2020 (2020-04-15)
8"Find a Way"Lynn SheltonAmy TalkingtonApril 22, 2020 (2020-04-22)

Production

Development

The book was discovered by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter before it was published. Witherspoon went on to choose the book as her September 2017 book club pick and soon after it was published it became a bestseller. Witherspoon then brought the book to Kerry Washington, and together the pair approached Liz Tigelaar to adapt and showrun the novel as a limited series. The project began its development at ABC Signature, the cable/streaming division of ABC Studios where Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine has a network-only deal and Washington's Simpson Street has an overall deal.[2]

On March 2, 2018, the production was officially announced but a network had yet to be determined. The series was set to be written and showrun by Tigelaar who will also executive produce alongside Witherspoon, Washington, Lauren Neustadter, and Pilar Savone. The author of the novel, Ng, would act as producer. Production companies involved in the series included Hello Sunshine, Simpson Street, ABC Signature Studios.[5][6][7] On March 12, 2018, Hulu gave the production an eight episode order. This series order came after a multiple-outlet bidding war involving various networks and streaming services.[2][8][9] In April 2019, Lynn Shelton was chosen to direct the series and serve as an executive producer.[10] Shelton died of a blood disorder shortly after the final episode of the series aired. [11]

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was reported that in addition to executive producing the series Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington had been cast in the series' lead roles.[5] In April 2019, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jade Pettyjohn, Jordan Elsass, Gavin Lewis, Megan Stott and Lexi Underwood joined the cast of the series.[12][13] In May 2019, Joshua Jackson also joined the cast as the husband of Witherspoon's character.[14] In June 2019, Paul Yen, Huang Lu, and Geoff Stults had been cast in recurring roles.[15][16] In July 2019, Jaime Ray Newman joined the cast in a recurring role.[17] In September 2019, Obba Babatundé and Byron Mann were cast in recurring capacities,[18][19] with AnnaSophia Robb, Tiffany Boone, Alona Tal, Matthew Barnes, Andy Favrea, Luke Bracey, and Anika Noni Rose cast in guest roles.[20][21] In October 2019, Jesse Williams, Britt Robertson, Kristoffer Polaha, Austin Basis and Reggie Austin joined the cast of the series, in recurring capacities; however, Polaha and Austin were not credited in the series.[22][23]

Filming

Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, California[24] and ran from May 31 to October 23, 2019.[25] The exterior of the Warren home is located in Pasadena, with the exterior of the Richardson home in Hancock Park.[26]

Music

The score was composed by Mark Isham and Florence & the Machine keyboardist Isabella Summers.[27][28] The series' official soundtrack was released on April 17, 2020 by Hollywood Records and featured cover songs recorded for the drama and performed by Judith Hill, BELLSAINT, Ruby Amanfu, Lauren Ruth Ward [29] and an original song written by Ingrid Michaelson. [30]

Release

Little Fires Everywhere premiered on March 18, 2020 on Hulu. Internationally, the series premiered on Amazon Prime Video in Europe, Latin America, Canada and Australia on May 22, 2020.[31]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 79% based on 76 reviews, with an average rating of 7.09/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Though Little Fires Everywhere at times plays it too safe, sparks fly when it lets well-matched leads Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon dig into the difficult questions it does dare to ask."[32] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33]

According to Hulu, in its first 60 days online Little Fires Everywhere was the most-watched drama ever on the streaming service.[34]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref
2020
 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Limited Series Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Kerry Washington, Pilar Savone, Liz Tigelaar, Lynn Shelton, Merri Howard, Nancy Won, Attica Locke, Raamla Mohamed, Amy Talkington, Harris Danow, Rosa Handelman, Shannon Houston and Celeste Ng Pending [35]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Kerry Washington Pending
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special Lynn Shelton (for "Find a Way") Pending
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) Mark Isham & Isabella Summers (for "The Spider Web") Pending
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics "Build it Up" – Ingrid Michaelson (for "Find a Way") Pending
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See also
  • List of original programs distributed by Hulu

References
  1. Huff, Lauren (March 18, 2020). "Hulu releases first three episodes of Little Fires Everywhere early". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  2. Andreeva, Nellie (March 12, 2018). "Hulu Nabs 'Little Fires Everywhere' Limited Series Starring Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  3. "Little Fires Everywhere Bios". Hulu Press Site. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  4. "Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere' Takes Jabs at Reagan, Christians and Motherhood". NewsBusters. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2018). "Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington To Star In & Produce Limited TV Series Based On 'Little Fires Everywhere' Book". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  6. Birnbaum, Debra (March 12, 2018). "Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington to Adapt 'Little Fires Everywhere' as Limited Series". Variety. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  7. Marine, Brooke (March 12, 2018). "Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington are Teaming Up For a TV Show". W Magazine. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  8. Otterson, Joe (March 12, 2018). "Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon's 'Little Fires Everywhere' Lands Straight-to-Series Order at Hulu". Variety. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  9. Goldberg, Lesley (March 12, 2018). "Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington Starrer 'Little Fires Everywhere' Lands at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  10. Otterson, Joe (April 30, 2019). "Hulu Series 'Little Fires Everywhere' Sets Lynn Shelton to Direct (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  11. Bennett, Anita (May 16, 2020). "Lynn Shelton Dies: 'Humpday' And 'Your Sister's Sister' Director Was 54". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie (April 26, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': Rosemarie DeWitt To Star In Hulu Limited Series With Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  13. "LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE Announces Additional Series Regulars". Broadway World. April 30, 2019. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  14. Highfill, Samantha (May 20, 2019). "Joshua Jackson joins Reese Witherspoon in Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  15. Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 4, 2019). "Paul Yen Joins 'Little Fires Everywhere'; Danny Vasquez To Recur On 'You'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  16. Petski, Denise (June 11, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': Huang Lu & Geoff Stults To Recur; First-Look Photo". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  17. Petski, Denise (July 30, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': Jaime Ray Newman To Recur In Hulu Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  18. Petski, Denise (September 9, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': Obba Babatundé To Recur In Hulu Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  19. Petski, Denise (September 6, 2019). "Byron Mann To Recur In Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere'; Returning To 'Arrow' For Final Season". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  20. Petski, Denise (September 26, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': AnnaSophia Robb & Tiffany Boone Among 6 Cast For Flashback Episode Of Hulu Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  21. Turchiano, Danielle (September 27, 2019). "Anika Noni Rose Joins 'Little Fires Everywhere' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  22. Petski, Denise (October 3, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': Jesse Williams To Recur In Hulu Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  23. Turchiano, Danielle (October 10, 2019). "'Little Fires Everywhere': Britt Robertson, Kristoffer Polaha Among 'Life Unexpected' Alumni Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  24. Bell, Amanda (June 11, 2019). "Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon Are Cooking Up Trouble in this Little Fires Everywhere Pic". TV Guide. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  25. Bowenbank, Starr; Walsh, Savannah (March 2, 2020). "Little Fires Everywhere: Everything We Know About The Hulu Miniseries". Elle. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  26. Paige, Rachel (March 18, 2020). "Where You Can Find The World Of Little Fires Everywhere IRL". Refinery29. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  27. "Mark Isham & Isabella Summers Scoring Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere'". filmmusicreporter.com. February 11, 2020.
  28. Patton, Rebecca (March 19, 2020). "The Songs In 'Little Fires Everywhere' Will Make You Want To Break Out Your Discman". bustle.com.
  29. "'Little Fires Everywhere' Soundtrack Album Details | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  30. Tangcay, Jazz (April 22, 2020). "How Ingrid Michaelson Penned a Perfect Song for 'Little Fires Everywhere'". Variety. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  31. "Amazon Prime Video UK on Instagram: "We challenge you to watch this 15-second trailer for Little Fires Everywhere without saying "oh my god" about at least one cast member (PS…"". Instagram. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  32. "Little Fires Everywhere: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  33. "Little Fires Everywhere: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  34. https://twitter.com/jasonlynch/status/1275141844960030721
  35. "2020 Primetime Emmy" (PDF) (Press release). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
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