The Monterey Five Return: 7 Shocking Updates On 'Big Little Lies' Season 3 You Need To Know

The wait is finally over. After years of speculation, rumors, and the cast members offering frustratingly vague updates, the highly anticipated third season of the Emmy-winning HBO drama, Big Little Lies, is officially in development. As of December 11, 2025, the Monterey Five are preparing to reunite, with a new creative voice steering the ship and a surprising new source of inspiration that promises to reignite the dark secrets of Monterey, California.

This news is a major victory for fans who have been desperate for a continuation since the dramatic Season 2 finale aired back in 2019. With key cast members Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon confirming the show's return, the stage is set for a fresh, compelling chapter. Get ready to dive deep into the latest, most crucial details about the return of Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie.

The Monterey Five: Confirmed Cast and Key Creative Team

The core appeal of Big Little Lies has always been its stellar, A-list ensemble cast, often affectionately referred to as The Monterey Five. The biggest hurdle for a third season was always aligning the schedules of these incredibly busy, Oscar-winning and nominated actresses. Fortunately, the stars have aligned, and the central group is expected to return to reprise their iconic roles. The show’s return is also powered by the continued involvement of its major executive producers.

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• Nicole Kidman (Celeste Wright): Confirmed to return as the emotionally complex Celeste and will serve as an Executive Producer.
• Reese Witherspoon (Madeline Martha Mackenzie): Confirmed to return as the high-strung, yet well-meaning Madeline and will also serve as an Executive Producer.
• Shailene Woodley (Jane Chapman): The actress is expected to return to continue Jane’s journey after confronting Perry's legacy.
• Laura Dern (Renata Klein): The fan-favorite is expected to reprise her role as the volatile and hilarious Renata, whose financial and personal life was in shambles at the end of Season 2.
• Zoë Kravitz (Bonnie Carlson): Expected to return as Bonnie, whose confession to the police was the major cliffhanger of the Season 2 finale.
• Kathryn Newton (Abigail Carlson): The actress who plays Madeline's daughter, Abigail, has also confirmed her return to the series.
• Francesca Sloane (New Writer/Showrunner): Sloane, known for her acclaimed work as co-creator and showrunner of *Mr. and Mrs. Smith*, has been tapped to write the new season.
• David E. Kelley (Executive Producer): The original series writer and creator is involved as an Executive Producer, alongside Kidman, Witherspoon, and Liane Moriarty.

Update #1: The Shocking New Source Material

The first season of Big Little Lies was a faithful adaptation of the bestselling novel by Australian author Liane Moriarty. The second season, however, ventured beyond the book's ending, relying on a story outline developed by Moriarty herself. For Season 3, the series is going back to its literary roots in a major way.

The third season will reportedly be based on a brand-new, upcoming sequel novel written by Liane Moriarty. This is a massive update, as it means the narrative will be grounded in Moriarty's signature voice and intricate plotting, rather than a completely original script. The sequel novel is currently scheduled to be published in 2026, which gives a strong indication of the show's potential production timeline.

The decision to wait for a new novel suggests a commitment to maintaining the narrative quality that made the first season so successful. It also gives the show a clear, pre-planned direction, avoiding the creative tensions that sometimes arise when a limited series is extended past its original source material.

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Update #2: A New Creative Vision with Francesca Sloane

One of the most significant changes for the third installment is the addition of Francesca Sloane as the new writer and showrunner. Sloane is a rising star in Hollywood, celebrated for her work on the critically acclaimed series *Mr. and Mrs. Smith*. This appointment signals a fresh creative direction for the show, which previously relied on David E. Kelley for all screenwriting duties.

The first two seasons had distinct directorial styles: Jean-Marc Vallée directed Season 1 with a dreamlike, cinematic quality, while Andrea Arnold brought a raw, intimate, and more grounded perspective to Season 2. Sloane's involvement suggests that Season 3 will have its own unique tone, blending the high-stakes drama and dark comedy the series is known for with a contemporary sensibility.

Fans are eager to see how Sloane handles the complex character arcs of Celeste Wright and Madeline Martha Mackenzie, and how she navigates the fallout from the Season 2 cliffhanger. The central "lie" that binds The Monterey Five—the accidental killing of Perry Wright—is the emotional anchor of the series, and a new showrunner will undoubtedly bring a new perspective to the women's collective trauma and secrets.

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Update #3: What the New Season Will Explore

While specific plot details from Moriarty’s upcoming sequel novel are under wraps, the new season will inevitably deal with the aftermath of the Season 2 finale. The final moments saw Celeste, Madeline, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie walking into the police station, presumably to confess to the cover-up surrounding Perry's death. The consequences of this confession—legal, personal, and social—will form the core conflict of Season 3.

Key entities and storylines the new season must address include:

• The Legal Fallout: Will Bonnie Carlson (who pushed Perry) and the other women face prison time? How will this affect their children and their lives in the affluent Monterey community?
• Celeste's Healing: Celeste Wright’s journey of healing from domestic abuse and her ongoing custody battle for her twin boys, Josh and Max, will surely be a major focus.
• Renata's Revenge: Renata Klein was left financially ruined and emotionally volatile by her husband, Gordon. Laura Dern’s powerhouse performance is expected to continue as Renata seeks to rebuild her life and perhaps exact revenge.
• Jane's New Life: Jane Chapman had finally found a sense of peace and a new relationship. The legal troubles will undoubtedly disrupt this newfound stability.
• Madeline’s Marriage: Madeline Martha Mackenzie’s marriage to Ed Mackenzie was strained by her past infidelity. The new pressures of the legal battle will test their relationship further.

The series is a masterclass in examining the façade of perfection in upper-class society, focusing on themes of motherhood, marriage, friendship, and the corrosive nature of secrets. Season 3 is poised to delve even deeper into these topical authorities, exploring how The Monterey Five navigate a world where their "big little lie" is finally exposed.

Update #4: The Premiere Date and Production Timeline

While the third season is confirmed to be in development, an official premiere date has not been announced by HBO (now Max). The production timeline is heavily dependent on two factors:

1. The completion and publication of Liane Moriarty's sequel novel, which is expected in 2026.
2. The scheduling of the main cast, particularly Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, who are both in high demand.

Given the need for a finished script (based on the novel) and the complex logistics of filming with such a high-profile cast, the earliest possible release date for Big Little Lies Season 3 is likely late 2026 or early 2027. However, the official confirmation from the stars and the network's move to hire a showrunner are the strongest indications yet that this long-awaited return is not just a rumor—it’s happening.