The series received positive reviews, with many praising its visuals, dark atmosphere, direction, and acting, particularly the performances of Adams, Clarkson, and Scanlen. Among its accolades, Clarkson won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and Adams received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film. It also received eight nominations at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series and acting nominations for Adams and Clarkson.
Crime reporter Camille Preaker, suffering from alcoholism and recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital after years of self -harming, returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the murders of two young girls. Upon arriving at her childhood home, she finds herself once again under the critical eye of her mother, Adora, a small- town socialite, which forces Camille to confront her personal demons.
Amy Adams as Camille Preaker, an alcoholic reporter recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital
Patricia Clarkson as Adora Crellin, Amma and Camille's overbearing socialite mother
Chris Messina as Detective Richard Willis, a detective from Kansas City who arrives in Wind Gap to assist with the ongoing murder investigations
Eliza Scanlen as Amma Crellin, Camille's half- sister and Adora's and Alan's daughter
Matt Craven as Bill Vickery, the police chief of Wind Gap
Henry Czerny as Alan Crellin, Amma's father, Adora's husband, and Camille's stepfather
Taylor John Smith as John Keene, the brother of Wind Gap's second murder victim, Natalie Keene
Madison Davenport as Ashley Wheeler, the girlfriend of John Keene
Miguel Sandoval as Frank Curry, the editor of the St. Louis Chronicle who sends Camille back to Wind Gap on the assignment that leads her to confront her "issues"
Will Chase as Bob Nash, the father of Wind Gap's first murder victim, Ann Nash
Jackson Hurst as Kirk Lacey, a teacher at Wind Gap Middle School
Sophia Lillis as young Camille Preaker
Lulu Wilson as Marian Crellin, Camille's half sister who died in front of her when they were children, Adora's and Alan's first child together, and Amma's sister
Elizabeth Perkins as Jackie O'Neill, the town gossip and longtime family friend of the Crellins
In 2008, it was reported that Gillian Flynn's novel Sharp Objects was in development by French production company Pathé with Andrea Arnold set to direct. By 2012, it was reported that the novel had been optioned by Alliance Films with Jason Blum expected to serve as a producer.