'Things have to change': Reese Witherspoon nearly breaks down in tears as she talks importance of representing women on screen

By Leeor Samocha For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:00 EST, 14 January 2017 | Updated: 22:34 EST, 14 January 2017

The show is set to combat sexism in Hollywood.

And on Saturday morning, Reese Witherspoon - star and co-producer of Big Little Lies - got choked up on stage as she gushed about her co-stars in the upcoming HBO miniseries.

The 40-year-old actress was joined by co-producer Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, and Shailene Woodley and writers and producers of the show at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.

Powerful women: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, and Shailene Woodley and writers and producers of Big Little Lies attend the TCA Winter Press Tour

Touching: Reese Witherspoongot choked up on stage as she gushed about her co-stars in the upcoming HBO miniseries

Witherspoon became emotional as she discussed women in film and the incredible performances of the ladies on stage with her.

She explained that it wasn't just because they were so good - but because this opportunity, to have five major female roles with substance, is so rare.

'It was so refreshing to spend time with so many women; this is the greatest ensemble experience I've ever had,' the Wild star divulged.

Director Jean-Marc Vallee - who also directed Wild - had the women rehearse lines over dinner and wine to create real intimacy between the characters.

Tear jerking: Witherspoon became emotional as she discussed women in film and the incredible performances of the ladies on stage with her

She went on to lament that for nearly three decades she had been the only female lead on most on set.

Reese continued: 'I'm passionate because things have to change. We have to start seeing women as they really are in film. And not just in a movie theater with a tiny budget. 

'We need to see real women’s experience whether it involves domestic violence, whether is involves sexual assault whether it involves motherhood or romance or infidelity or divorce...These are the kinds of things that shift consciousness.'

Women of all ages: Shailene Woodley, 25, plays newcomer Jane Chapman

Real connection: Director Jean-Marc Vallee had the women practice lines over dinner and wine to create intimacy between the characters

The women went on to discuss their characters in the seven-part dark comedy, which is based on the best-selling 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty.

Witherspoon said that her character Madeline Mackenzie is a 'bossy know-it-all,' and Woodley's character Jane Chapman is a newcomer to town.

Nicole spoke about working with Reese: 'We're very, very close friends. We're able to talk about everything...I love that it's about women making something happen with friendship at the core of it.'

Kidman added: 'I was lucky because when I read the book, I really related to all the women in the book and I've met many women who've felt the same way.

'I was lucky:' Kidman confessed she related to all the women in the book 

Relevant: The show centers on a group of women, all in different stages of motherhood, in Monterey, California

'I wouldn't call them helicopter mothers - some of them are very attentive. 

'There is such an array of emotions in the piece and that's what we excited to show the lives of these women in a very authentic way and yet entertaining.' 

The show centers on a group of women, all in different stages of motherhood, in Monterey, California.

The women's seemingly perfect lives begin to unravel to the point of murder. 

Big Little Lies is set to hit small screens February 19 on HBO.

Strong women: All the actresses are well-respected in the industry 

Coming up: Big Little Lies is set to hit small screens February 19 on HBO

 

 

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