Detailed Explanation
Perry Wright's death is the central mystery of Big Little Lies Season 1. The premiere opens with a crime scene at trivia night, and the entire season builds to revealing what happened. Perry, played chillingly by Alexander Skarsgård, is Celeste's husband—a successful businessman who is also a horrific domestic abuser. On trivia night, when Perry's violence is finally witnessed publicly, Bonnie Carlson pushes him down the stairs to protect Celeste. The five women—Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie—initially keep the truth from police.