Big Little Lies is officially returning for a third season on HBO.
The acclaimed drama, which debuted in 2017 and quickly captivated audiences worldwide, has kept viewers speculating about its future ever since season two concluded in 2019.
Now, at last, the story is moving forward. While the new season is still in production, Deadline reports that Francesca Sloane—co-creator of Amazon’s Mr & Mrs Smith—will write the premiere episode and serve as an executive producer alongside series creator David E. Kelley, as well as Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. This development signals that the long-rumored third installment is finally happening.
Speculation about a return has been ongoing, with Nicole Kidman dropping hints in 2023, and just this week, Shailene Woodley stoked excitement further with an Instagram post declaring, “We ARE so back.”
Francesca Sloane’s involvement marks the most concrete step toward the show’s comeback. The first season was adapted from Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel of the same name, while the second season featured original material created specifically for the series.
Moriarty has since written a follow-up novel, set to be published in 2026, which features a time jump with the women as mothers of teenagers. Although HBO hasn’t officially confirmed whether the third season will adapt this new book directly, it’s expected to influence the upcoming storyline. With details still under wraps, fans are eagerly awaiting more information.
Confirmed returns include Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. Shailene Woodley’s enthusiastic Instagram post suggests she’s already on board, along with Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz. As for Meryl Streep’s character, Mary Louise, there’s no word yet on whether she’ll reprise her role. What remains certain is that the Monterey Five will continue to be at the heart of the series.
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