The long-awaited third season of HBO's Big Little Lies just got a step closer to reality. Author Liane Moriarty is releasing a sequel novel, Big Little Truths, on August 25, and it will serve as the blueprint for the show's next chapter. This marks Moriarty's first-ever sequel, picking up with the Monterey Five a decade after the original story. The book dives back into the tangled lives of these mothers, now dealing with teenage children, a suspicious newcomer at the high school, and a severed finger mailed to the principal—secrets are bound to surface.
For fans who've been waiting since 2019, this is a welcome development. The series has been inching forward with sparse updates, and much of the delay was tied to waiting for Moriarty to finish the new book. She previously wrote an unpublished novella that shaped Season 2, proving her creative input is essential to the show's direction.
A Rare Symbiotic Relationship Between Book and Screen
The Big Little Lies adaptation has always had a unique bond with its source material. Season 1 was praised for its fidelity, even with changes like moving the setting from Australia to Monterey, California, and adding an affair for Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) that wasn't in the book. Season 2 saw Moriarty step in as an executive producer, and she crafted the character of Mary Louise Wright (Meryl Streep) specifically for the Oscar-winning actress. That decision paid off, giving the season a formidable antagonist and deepening the story of Perry's death and Celeste's custody battle.
Now the influence is flowing the other way. Laura Dern's Emmy-winning portrayal of Renata Klein was so compelling that Moriarty expanded the character's role in Big Little Truths. The show has clearly shaped the author's vision, making the sequel a true collaboration between page and screen.
The Elephant in the Room: Replacing Jean-Marc Vallée
With the book on the horizon, the biggest obstacle for Season 3 isn't the story—it's finding a director who can honor the legacy of Jean-Marc Vallée, who passed away in 2021. Vallée directed Season 1 and was the visual mastermind behind the show's intimate, memory-laced style. His influence was so strong that even when Andrea Arnold took over for Season 2, Vallée re-edited her footage, sparking controversy. Arnold later revealed she was misled about her creative control.
Whoever steps in for Season 3 will face a delicate task: they can't simply copy Vallée's aesthetic, but a drastic shift could alienate fans. The show must find a way to evolve without losing the essence that made it a hit. As the series navigates this crossroads, it's a reminder of how crucial a director's vision can be—something other shows have struggled with, as seen in the X-Men reboot's battle with Fox's legacy.
Despite the challenges, the release of Big Little Truths is a promising sign. It gives fans a chance to speculate on plotlines and new characters, and it confirms that the creative team is committed to moving forward. While there's no official premiere date yet, the pieces are finally falling into place. For those who can't wait, the book will offer a satisfying taste of what's to come—and maybe even a few clues about how the show will handle its most daunting hurdle yet.
