Big Little Lies Season 3: What We Know So Far

Ever since its debut in 2017, Big Little Lies has captivated audiences with its intriguing storylines, breathtaking cinematography, and a star-studded cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and Zoë Kravitz. The HBO show, based on Liane Moriarty’s best-selling novel, gained a dedicated fanbase and became an Emmy-winning sensation. While originally designed as a limited series, its immense popularity prompted a second season. And now, fans are eagerly awaiting updates on season 3.

The Current Status of Season 3

It’s been nearly a year since Nicole Kidman hinted that a third season of Big Little Lies was in the works. During a November 2023 Q&A event at the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida, Kidman excitedly confirmed the development. However, in a joint interview with Vanity Fair in June 2024, Kidman admitted that she might have shared the news a little too early, saying, “I got excited… But we are now moving fast and furious, and Liane [Moriarty] is delivering the book.”

Reese Witherspoon, who plays Madeline Martha Mackenzie on the show and also serves as an executive producer, recently shared a brief but optimistic update on the progress of season 3. On October 5, 2024, at the Hello Sunshine red carpet event, Witherspoon revealed that the production team is still waiting for the new material from author Liane Moriarty. “Nicole and I have been waiting. We’re in waiting for Leanne Moriarty. She’s going to be turning in something very soon,” Witherspoon told E! News. “We’re back to the original author and we’re going to go back to the original characters.”

This comment not only confirms that Moriarty is involved in the creative process but also hints that season 3 will continue to explore the lives of the original characters that fans have grown to love. Witherspoon also mentioned that the children in the series may have grown older, adding a new dimension to the storyline. “It’s exciting, too, because I think the kids are probably a little bit older now. So that might add another element. I don’t know yet, I haven’t read it yet,” she said.

The Return of the Original Cast

One of the most exciting aspects of Big Little Lies has always been its ensemble cast, which features some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and Zoë Kravitz delivered exceptional performances throughout the first two seasons, and fans are eager to see them reprise their roles.

Kidman, who portrayed the complex and resilient Celeste Wright, expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the series in the same Vanity Fair interview, while also cautioning fans not to expect too many details just yet. “We need to shut up,” she joked. “There’s this whole thing that you should never talk about something until you’ve done it. If you talk about doing it, it’s the dopamine hit of doing it. You feel like you’ve done it. It’s a scientific study.”

Laura Dern, who plays the fierce and often hilarious Renata Klein, has also expressed excitement about returning to Monterey with her castmates. In a December 2023 interview with Today.com, Dern stated, “Well, let’s just say we’re best friends in art and in life. And there would be nothing more fun for all of us. You know, we would have the time of our lives.”

Although most of the original cast members seem eager to return, Zoë Kravitz, who portrays Bonnie Carlson, has voiced some hesitation. Following the tragic death of director Jean-Marc Vallée in 2021, Kravitz expressed doubts about continuing the series without him. “I don’t think it is [going to happen],” she said in a November 2022 GQ TikTok interview. “We talked about doing a season three a lot and, unfortunately, Jean-Marc Vallée, our incredible director, passed away this last year, and I just can’t imagine going on without him. He really was the visionary for that show.”

However, with Moriarty now involved in the development of new material and the rest of the cast on board, it remains to be seen whether Kravitz will eventually reprise her role as Bonnie.

The Impact of Jean-Marc Vallée’s Death on the Series

Jean-Marc Vallée’s direction played a crucial role in shaping the visual and emotional tone of Big Little Lies. Vallée, who directed the first season and served as an executive producer on the second, brought a unique, cinematic touch to the series that distinguished it from other television dramas. His unexpected death in December 2021 left a profound impact on the cast and crew, and his absence has raised questions about how the series will proceed without his visionary leadership.

Despite Kravitz’s concerns, the production team appears committed to moving forward with season 3. Vallée’s longtime collaborator, Andrea Arnold, who directed the second season, could potentially return to continue his legacy. Arnold’s directorial style, while distinct from Vallée’s, was praised for its emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of the characters.

New Material from Liane Moriarty

One of the most intriguing aspects of season 3 is that it will feature new material from Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty. While the first season of the show was directly based on Moriarty’s 2014 novel, the second season had to venture into uncharted territory, as the book’s storyline had already been fully adapted. Moriarty played a key role in shaping the second season’s plot, but with no existing source material, the writers had more creative freedom.

Now, with Moriarty once again providing new content, fans can expect season 3 to stay true to the spirit of the original novel while introducing fresh twists and developments. Witherspoon’s comment about the children being older hints that the new storyline could explore how the characters’ lives have evolved as their families grow and face new challenges.

It’s worth noting that Moriarty has already written a novella, Big Little Lies 2, which she penned as a gift for Kidman and Witherspoon to help develop ideas for the second season. While it remains unclear whether Moriarty’s new material will take the form of a full-length novel, a novella, or simply an outline, her involvement is a promising sign for the quality and continuity of the series.

What Could Happen in Season 3?

While specific plot details for season 3 remain under wraps, there are several potential directions the story could take. At the end of season 2, the Monterey Five—Madeline, Celeste, Renata, Bonnie, and Jane—had seemingly covered up their involvement in Perry Wright’s death, but the season concluded with a hint that their secret might unravel. Bonnie, in particular, appeared ready to confess to the police, leaving fans wondering whether the group’s bond would be tested in the next season.

With Moriarty crafting new material, it’s possible that season 3 could delve deeper into the psychological and emotional consequences of the characters’ actions. Themes of guilt, trauma, and the complexities of friendship were central to the first two seasons, and these could be further explored as the characters navigate the fallout from Perry’s death.

Additionally, the passage of time could introduce new dynamics to the series. With the children growing older, their evolving relationships with their parents could become a focal point of the storyline. Season 2 touched on how the events of Perry’s death affected the children, particularly Celeste’s twin sons, Max and Josh, who were beginning to understand the truth about their father. As they grow into adolescence, their reactions to their family’s dark past could add a new layer of complexity to the narrative.

Moreover, the show could explore how the women’s romantic relationships have evolved. At the end of season 2, Celeste had reclaimed her independence and won a legal battle for custody of her sons, while Jane (Shailene Woodley) had begun a new relationship. Madeline and her husband Ed (Adam Scott) had also reconciled after a rocky patch in their marriage. However, these happy endings could be disrupted as new challenges arise.

The Legacy of Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies has left an indelible mark on the television landscape, not only for its compelling storytelling but also for its focus on complex, flawed female characters. The show’s success paved the way for more female-driven dramas and highlighted the importance of giving women both in front of and behind the camera the opportunity to tell nuanced stories.

The show’s exploration of themes such as domestic abuse, trauma, and the pressures of motherhood resonated with viewers and sparked important conversations about these issues. Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Celeste, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, was particularly lauded for its raw and unflinching depiction of the psychological and physical toll of abuse. The series’ handling of this sensitive subject matter earned praise from domestic violence organizations and helped raise awareness about the complexities of abusive relationships.

In addition to its social impact, Big Little Lies was a critical and commercial success. The first season won eight Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, and earned acting accolades for Kidman, Dern, and Alexander Skarsgård, who played the menacing Perry Wright. The show also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and several Screen Actors Guild Awards.

While season 2 didn’t receive the same level of universal acclaim as the first season, it still garnered several Emmy nominations and continued to draw large audiences. Meryl Streep’s addition to the cast as Perry’s mother, Mary Louise, was a major highlight of the second season, and her performance earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Conclusion

As fans eagerly await the return of Big Little Lies, the third season promises to bring new twists and developments to the story of the Monterey Five. With Liane Moriarty once again involved in the creative process and the original cast eager to return, season 3 is shaping up to be an exciting continuation of the beloved series.

While there are still many unknowns about the plot and production timeline, the anticipation for the next chapter in the lives of Madeline, Celeste, Renata, Bonnie, and Jane is palpable. Whether the women’s secrets will finally be exposed or new conflicts will emerge, one thing is certain: Big Little Lies continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling and compelling characters.