The Monterey coast is calling once again: HBO has officially greenlit a third season of Big Little Lies, bringing back the Emmy-winning drama after a six-year hiatus and sending fans of the series into a frenzy of anticipation. The announcement, made on September 12, 2025, marks a new chapter for the acclaimed show, which first captivated viewers in 2017 with its heady mix of mystery, dark comedy, and social commentary.
For those who’ve somehow missed the phenomenon, Big Little Lies is set in the picturesque—yet deeply troubled—seaside town of Monterey, California. The series follows a group of women, played by Hollywood heavyweights Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Meryl Streep, as their seemingly perfect lives unravel amidst secrets, rivalries, and a suspicious death that binds them together. The show’s deft handling of themes like domestic abuse, trauma, motherhood, friendship, and the facades people maintain has earned it both critical acclaim and a slew of awards, including multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, as reported by Variety.
After two seasons—one in 2017 and another in 2019—fans were left wondering if the story would continue. Speculation swirled for years, but now, with HBO’s official announcement, the wait is finally over. The third season is in the hands of Francesca Sloane, the much-buzzed-about co-creator of the 2024 series Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who has been tapped to write the premiere episode and serve as executive producer. Sloane’s impressive resume includes writing credits on Atlanta and Fargo, as well as her work on Amazon’s adaptation of Mr. and Mrs. Smith—though, as Daily News pointed out, that series has now been delayed indefinitely.
What’s especially intriguing is that the upcoming season will draw inspiration from author Liane Moriarty’s yet-to-be-published sequel to her original 2014 novel, the very book that inspired the show’s first season. According to PEDESTRIAN.TV, Moriarty’s new novel is expected to hit shelves in 2026 and will reportedly follow the Monterey women as they navigate life as mothers of teenagers. This rumored time jump has fans speculating about the fresh challenges and secrets that could emerge as the characters’ children come of age—after all, it’s been six years since the last season aired, so the little ones from kindergarten are now well into their teens.
While HBO has yet to confirm a release date or full casting details, it’s widely expected that Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon will reprise their iconic roles. Both stars have been vocal about their enthusiasm for returning to Monterey. Kidman, for her part, described the new season as moving "fast and furious," while Witherspoon teased, “The upcoming batch of episodes will be exciting because the kids are probably a little bit older now.” Their excitement adds to the mounting buzz, and, as PEDESTRIAN.TV noted, it’s a safe bet that the rest of the core cast—including Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, and Meryl Streep—will find their way back to the windswept cliffs and wine-soaked kitchens of Monterey.
The series has always stood out for its complex female characters and willingness to tackle difficult subjects. The first season revolved around the mysterious murder of Perry Wright, played by Alexander Skarsgård, and the subsequent investigation and cover-up formed the backbone of the second season. Meryl Streep’s unforgettable performance as Perry’s mother, complete with her now-famous wolf-like howl, added another layer of intensity to the already gripping drama.
At its core, Big Little Lies is about the limits of conditional love and the secrets people keep—even from those closest to them. Author Liane Moriarty reflected on these themes in a 2021 interview with Daily News, saying, “It’s, ‘What can you forgive?’ Even my own children, I sometimes say to them, ‘I love you so much. You can tell me anything.’ And my children have then started to say, ‘Well, what if I did this? What if I did…?’ And then in the end, I have had to say, ‘OK, you’re right. There are conditions.’” It’s these human complexities that have made the series resonate so deeply with audiences around the world.
Returning to the creative team is David E. Kelley, the original series creator, who will executive produce alongside Sloane, Kidman, and Witherspoon. This powerhouse combination promises to maintain the show’s signature blend of sharp dialogue, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced character development. As Variety reported, Sloane’s involvement signals a fresh creative direction while still honoring the DNA of the series—a delicate balancing act that’s sure to keep fans glued to their screens.
Of course, with such a successful pedigree comes high expectations. The first season of Big Little Lies was lauded for its tight plotting and emotional depth, while the second season received more mixed reviews, despite the addition of Streep to the cast. Still, the show’s ability to spark conversation about real-world issues—from domestic violence to the pressures of motherhood—remains one of its greatest strengths.
And what about that rumored time jump? If the third season does indeed pick up with the Monterey women as mothers of teenagers, viewers can expect a new set of challenges—and perhaps even more secrets to unravel. As Deadline reported, the upcoming season will likely address how the passage of time has changed the characters and their relationships, both with each other and with their now-older children. It’s a tantalizing prospect for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
For now, details about the plot remain tightly under wraps, and HBO has yet to announce a premiere date. But with Francesca Sloane at the helm, a new Moriarty novel on the horizon, and the promise of seeing Kidman, Witherspoon, and the rest of the Monterey moms back in action, excitement is building fast. As fans await further news, there’s only one thing left to do: pour a glass of white wine, gaze out at the (imaginary) Pacific, and wonder what secrets the next season will reveal.
With its star-studded cast, award-winning pedigree, and fearless approach to storytelling, Big Little Lies is poised to make a triumphant return—reminding viewers that, in Monterey, the truth is always just a little more complicated than it seems.
