‘Big Little Lies’ is coming soon: Everything you need to know

Big Little Lies Season 2 arrived on HBO in June 2019 and delivered the kind of layered domestic drama that had fans dissecting every Monterey shoreline scene. The season picked up the threads left dangling by the first finale and pushed the core group of women deeper into the fallout of their shared secret. The anticipation that once swirled around the return now reads like a time capsule of what the cast and crew delivered.

All of the main cast is returning

Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) and Nicole Kidman (The Killing of a Sacred Deer) have been on board pretty much since the second season was first officially announced. As executive producers of the show, the two are obviously major players, but so are their characters and it would have been impossible to imagine Big Little Lies without Celeste and Maddie. Shailene Woodley (Divergent), Laura Dern (The Tale), and Zoë Kravitz (Mad Max: Fury Road) are not quite as high profile, but are still essential components of the show. A second season without them would have felt a little stilted and lacking, which is why the news all three are officially signed on for the continuation of the story is so good to hear. As the final shots of season one highlighted, these women have a new, indelible connection – one which should be compelling for the show to explore further. All announced main cast members appeared in the completed Season 2. Kathryn Newton and Iain Armitage received series regular upgrades for Season 2.

Even Alexander Skarsgård is returning

A strange, but welcome twist in the casting announcements of the show came in the form of Skarsgård being confirmed for season two at the end of January. By all accounts, it seemed as though Alexander Skarsgård’s character Perry was as dead as a corpse, which makes his return all the more curious. Asked about his involvement in season two, Skarsgård informed People: “I don’t even know if I’m really dead or not.” Which leaves the story wide open for speculation about how Perry will return. Skarsgård returned primarily through flashbacks and narrative integration rather than new live appearances or twin plots.

A storm may be brewing and her name is Meryl Streep

At the end of January, it was announced that Meryl Streep had boarded the second season of Big Little Lies. In securing Streep, the show proved itself the reigning champion of peak prestige TV. As you might imagine, the actor will be tackling quite a meaty role and is to play Mary Louise Wright, Perry’s mom, who arrives in Monterey searching for answers about her son’s death. (So he is dead!) Said to also be pursuing the well being of her grandchildren, it seems likely Streep’s character should pose a formidable challenge to the Monterey moms and their harrowing, shared secrets. Streep portrayed Mary Louise Wright across all seven episodes and earned multiple award nominations. Her performance was widely credited with elevating the season’s drama and critical response.

There’s a new director and she’s perfect for the show

Like the first season, the second will also have just one director with Andrea Arnold taking over duties from Jean-Marc Vallée. Having directed episodes of TV shows like I Love Dick and Transparent, as well as movies like Fish Tank and American Honey, Arnold has a sharp and distinctive on-screen perspective and deals with heavy, sometimes uncomfortable, subject matter extremely well. Her directorial vision should be perfectly suited to the ghoulish suburbia of Big Little Lies. Andrea Arnold directed all seven episodes; later reports noted creative oversight discussions involving prior director Jean-Marc Vallée.

Season 2 reception and viewership

Season 2 earned an 85 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 82 on Metacritic. Critics praised the way the series balanced its glossy surfaces with sharper examinations of guilt and complicity. The finale drew nearly two million linear viewers, a series high, while multi-platform numbers exceeded Season 1 totals. The numbers confirmed that the Monterey circle still held the attention of viewers who had followed every twist since the first season.

Behind-the-scenes production notes

Reports indicated creative control shifted from director Andrea Arnold toward executive producer Jean-Marc Vallée during post-production. HBO publicly supported the production and Arnold’s involvement, framing the process as collaborative rather than contentious. The finished season retained Arnold’s visual signature while incorporating adjustments that aligned with the showrunners’ vision for the larger arc.

David E. Kelley will be writing all seven episodes

Kelley adapted the first season of the show from the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty. For season two, there might not be a book to work from, but Kelley is apparently writing all seven scripts from a story developed by Moriarty. Speaking on the potential for the narrative, Kidman revealed in July that they weren’t going to pursue a second season unless the story made sense for them. “So much of it is trying to stay true to the characters and their voices. If we can do it, then it will be done. I believe their stories warrant it and I don't want to abandon them. We don't want to sell them short, either.” Kelley wrote all Season 2 episodes from Moriarty’s story. For Season 3, Kelley remains executive producer alongside new writer Francesca Sloane.

The second season may give more time to Kravitz

When the second season was announced, HBO declared it would “explore the malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and, of course, the vicious ferocity of sound parenting,” all of which sounded very similar to the themes of season one. However, new details emerged in February which position Kidman’s Celeste as still reeling from Perry’s death and fighting for her family – hopefully against Streep’s character, which could make for a jaw-dropping standoff. While Witherspoon, Dern, and Woodley sound as though they’ll be treading similar themes with their characters in confronting flawed marriages and the events of the past, Kravitz sounds as though her role may expand in season two. Her character, Bonnie Carlson, is said to be struggling with her part in Perry’s death and the demons of her own past, and viewers will also get to meet Bonnie’s parents for the first time. Bonnie’s storyline received increased focus, including struggles with guilt and introduction of her parents.

Awards recognition for Season 2

Meryl Streep received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her Season 2 role. The season was praised for expanding on dark humor and ensemble drama, with Streep’s portrayal of Mary Louise cited as a major factor in renewed critical interest. The nominations underscored how the addition of a single performer could shift the temperature of an already established ensemble.

Path to Season 3 and current status

Season 3 development confirmed September 2025 with Francesca Sloane hired to write and executive produce the premiere. Liane Moriarty’s sequel Big Little Truths, scheduled for 2026 publication, will form the basis, with a major time jump. The move keeps the Monterey circle alive for a new generation of viewers while giving the original cast room to explore how the events of Seasons 1 and 2 continue to ripple outward.