Reese Witherspoon explains why Big Little Lies season 2 has new director 

‘ Jean-Marc Vallée, the director who helped make the HBO drama into the Golden Globes-winning force it is today, is not returning for the second season. But that’s not for lack of want or effort.

“We are so deeply grateful to Jean-Marc Vallée,” series star and executive producer Reese Witherspoon told press backstage at the Golden Globes on Sunday. “His vision for these characters — he put his artistry and his heart and soul into it. His musical taste is all over this miniseries. Unfortunately he was busy.

“We did try and accommodate, but we wanted to get the second season going soon,” she continued. “We were lucky to have Andrea Arnold sign on to the family. Jean-Marc has welcomed her to the family and we’re thrilled to have her on board.”

After strung out teases of “will they? won’t they?” banter from the cast and crew, HBO formally renewed

) in the director’s chair. Creator David E. Kelley is also returning to write and produce the new episodes.

“It feels like, [Shailene Woodley] and I were just talking about it, that for this show to resonating now at this time is extraordinary,” Nicole Kidman remarked. “It allows us to speak and be seen and be heard.”

took home four Golden Globes this year: best television limited series/motion picture made for television, as well as best actress (Kidman), best supporting actress (Laura Dern), and best supporting actor (Alexander Skarsgård) in the same genre.

See the full list of winners from the 75th annual Golden Globes here.