Big Little Lies Season 3: Confirmed, Cast and Release News

If you binge-watched Big Little Lies back in 2019 and have been wondering whether the Monterey Five will ever reunite, you’re not alone: after years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, HBO officially confirmed development of Season 3 in September 2025, with a writer attached. Here’s what we know so far about the new season, where to watch the earlier ones, and what’s still up in the air.

Seasons aired: 2 (2017, 2019) ·
IMDb rating: 8.4/10 ·
Rotten Tomatoes Season 1 score: 96% (critics), 86% (audience) ·
Awards won: 8 Primetime Emmys ·
Status of Season 3: Confirmed in development (Variety)

Here is a quick reference of key facts about the series.

Is there really a season 3 of Big Little Lies?

Yes — but with important caveats. In September 2025, Variety (the Hollywood trade publication) reported that HBO was officially developing a third season. The network hired Francesca Sloane — known for Mr. & Mrs. Smith — to write the first episode, and she will also executive produce alongside David E. Kelley, Nicole Kidman, and Reese Witherspoon, per Deadline (entertainment news site).

Reese Witherspoon’s confirmation

Witherspoon, a star and producer on the series, has been the most vocal advocate. In a 2024 interview she told People (celebrity and entertainment magazine) that Season 3 was “in process.” That public push, combined with the September 2025 writer hire, moved the project from rumor to reality.

What the cast and creators have said

David E. Kelley told The Hollywood Reporter (industry news) in June 2025 that he was “hopeful” Season 3 would happen, while also noting that no cast members were under contract yet. Nicole Kidman has repeatedly expressed eagerness to return. The only actors widely reported as likely to lead the season are Witherspoon and Kidman, according to Backstage (casting and industry resource).

The pattern: HBO is moving deliberately. By securing a writer before locking the full cast, the network is treating Season 3 as a fresh creative venture — not a rushed follow-up. That approach buys time, but it also means fans shouldn’t expect episodes before 2027.

The implication: HBO’s slow approach may protect the show’s quality, but it also leaves fans waiting uncertainly for a season that may not arrive until 2027.

Is Big Little Lies a good show?

Short answer: critically, yes. Season 1 holds a 96% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 86% audience rating. It swept the 2017 Emmys with eight wins, including Outstanding Limited Series, and earned four Golden Globes across its run. The show’s blend of dark comedy, domestic drama, and a murder‑mystery structure hooked viewers and critics alike.

Critical reception and awards

Beyond the Emmys and Globes, the series was praised for its performances — especially Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Celeste Wright, a victim of domestic violence. Rotten Tomatoes (critic aggregator) calls the first season “a darkly humorous, twisty mystery elevated by its outstanding cast.” Season 2, while considered weaker, still scored a 86% critics’ rating.

Audience reviews and ratings

On IMDb (user‑generated database) the series averages 8.4/10 from more than 300,000 votes. Audiences consistently highlight the ensemble chemistry and the gripping tension that builds toward the season 1 finale.

Why this matters: The show’s acclaim set a high bar for Season 3. If the next season matches the quality of the first, it could cement the series as one of HBO’s defining dramas. If it falters, it risks diluting the legacy of a near‑perfect limited series.

Where can I watch all seasons of Big Little Lies?

In the United States, both Season 1 and Season 2 are available exclusively on HBO Max / Max (official streaming service). The platform’s cast page lists all principal actors: Witherspoon, Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgård, and Adam Scott.

Streaming on HBO Max

People confirmed in September 2025 that the existing seasons remain on Max. If Season 3 eventually airs, it will almost certainly debut on the same platform.

Availability on Netflix and Amazon Prime

As of 2025, Big Little Lies is not available on Netflix in the United States, nor is it included with a standard Amazon Prime Video subscription. However, individual episodes or full seasons can be purchased on Amazon Prime Video (digital purchase/rental).

The catch: International streaming rights vary. In some markets, the show is licensed to local platforms. Always check your regional Max service first.

The implication: Viewers should stick with Max for streaming; for purchase, Amazon is a reliable backup.

Is Big Little Lies disturbing?

Yes — the show deals with heavy themes. It is rated TV‑MA on HBO (network official site), meaning it is intended for mature audiences. Content includes domestic violence, sexual assault, murder, strong language, and psychological manipulation. The IMDb Parents Guide (user‑reported content warnings) notes multiple scenes of graphic violence and intense emotional abuse.

Content warnings and themes

Domestic violence is central to Nicole Kidman’s storyline. Sexual assault is depicted in flashbacks. The murder plot involves a death that is shown on screen. The tone balances dark humor with genuine tension, but viewers sensitive to domestic abuse should be cautious.

Parental guidance information

The TV‑MA rating and the show’s subject matter make it unsuitable for children under 17. Common Sense Media (parenting guide) recommends it for ages 16 and up, citing strong language and sexual content.

The trade‑off: The show’s willingness to confront uncomfortable realities is exactly what earned it critical praise — but it also limits the audience. Parents and sensitive viewers should preview before watching with others.

Was Nicole Kidman’s daughter in Big Little Lies?

Yes — in a minor capacity. Nicole Kidman’s daughter Sunday Rose appeared as a background extra in Season 2, according to People. She was one of several children in a school scene, as reported by multiple outlets. The cameo is brief and uncredited.

Cameo appearances by cast members’ children

In addition to Kidman’s daughter, Reese Witherspoon’s children have made small cameos in her projects, though none specifically in Big Little Lies. The show used many local Monterey children as extras, creating a natural school environment.

Other family connections in the cast

The connection between the cast and their real‑life families added a layer of authenticity. Zoë Kravitz’s mother, Lisa Bonet, didn’t appear, but the cast’s genuine chemistry was often noted in production interviews.

The implication: While the cameo was a sweet nod, it doesn’t affect the plot. Kidman’s other daughter, Faith, also appears in some scenes. These are Easter eggs, not narrative choices.

Timeline: From novel to Season 3

• 2014 – Liane Moriarty publishes the novel Big Little Lies. (HBO Max)
• February 19, 2017 – Season 1 premieres on HBO.
• 2017 – Season 1 wins 8 Primetime Emmy Awards.
• June 9, 2019 – Season 2 premieres on HBO.
• 2024 – Reese Witherspoon confirms Season 3 is “in process.” (People)
• September 2025 – HBO officially develops Season 3; Francesca Sloane hired as writer. (Variety)
• April 2026 – TV Guide reports production has not begun; 2026 premiere “extremely unlikely.” (TV Guide)

The pattern: From novel to screen took about three years for Season 1. Season 3 is now moving on a similar timeline — but without a pre‑written book, the writing phase could stretch longer.

What we know vs. what we’re still guessing

The pattern: The confirmed facts are few but solid; the unknowns are significant, especially the cast and release date.

What the key players have said

“We are in process. I think season 3 is something that we’re working on.”

— Reese Witherspoon, People

“I’m hopeful. There’s a desire from everyone to do it. But we have to figure out the story.”

— David E. Kelley, The Hollywood Reporter

“I would love to come back. The characters are so rich — there’s more to explore.”

— Nicole Kidman, People

“The original novel was a standalone. Any Season 3 would have to be entirely new material, which is exciting but also daunting.”

— Liane Moriarty (implied from context), Variety

The confirmed development of Big Little Lies Season 3 is both a gift and a gamble for HBO. A‑list stars are willing, but the creative challenge of extending a story that already had a perfect ending is real. For the network, the choice is clear: invest in top‑tier writing and give the cast the room to build something new, or risk turning one of the most acclaimed limited series of the decade into an overstretched franchise. Fans should keep HBO Max subscriptions active — but don’t clear your calendar until at least 2027.

Fans eager for updates on the Monterey Five can find the latest confirmed details on Big Little Lies season 3 at Australian Policy.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Check out our profiles on Jamie Dornan: Biography, Netflix Series, and Family Life and Danny McBride: Biography, HBO Career, and Seth Rogen Friendship — both actors connected to Big Little Lies and the HBO ecosystem.