'Masterpiece' TV series finally gets season three update after six years

Big Little Lieshas been given a major update six years after last appearing on screens.

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Alexander Skarsgard, Meryl Streep, and Zoe Kravitz, and based on the book by Leanne Moriarty, the drama has been hailed by fans desperate for a third instalment as one of the best TV shows ever.

And the psychological dark comedy’s return has now been announced, following months of speculation.

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According to Deadline, Mr and Mrs Smith co-creator and showrunner Francesca Sloane is set to write the first episode of season three, which is currently in development.

She’ll reportedly executive produce the new instalment with series creator David E Kelley, as part of a two-year deal she signed with HBO.

The series follows Nicole, Reese and Shailene’s characters, three mothers in California whose children go to an upper-class elementary school.

Their seemingly picture-perfect life is turned on its head when they become embroiled in a murder investigation, after a single mother (played by Zoe) moves to the idyllic beach town.

As their lives begin to unravel and their secrets are exposed, the series delves into dark themes such as domestic abuse, lies, cheating and rape.

The first season, which aired in 2017, stayed true to the book while the second followed the aftermath of the murder and mystery.

Leanne Moriarty’s follow-up novel, after Big Little Lies was published in 2014, is due to be published in 2026, and she previously explained it would feature a time jump with the woman at the centre of new storylines as mothers of teenagers.

The first two seasons were a huge hit with fans, scoring a near-perfect 93% and 85% on Rotten Tomatoes respectively.

One fan hailed: “It is possibly the most perfect show I have ever seen on TV or in the movies.”

“Big Little Lies is absolutely one of my all-time favorite series! I am currently watching it for the third time.. and it's still great,” another said.

A third wrote: “This is actually my absolute favorite show I have ever seen. A murder mystery that you can watch past midnight. Just enough darkness to make it enticing, but also a drama and upbeat. I got so attached to the character and wish there was a season 3.”

Another added: “This show is a masterpiece. It was not just a tv show, it felt like I was in their friend group and experiencing life with them. I've watched it over 5 times fully (both seasons) and I will continue to watch it. You need to watch this, it'll change your life.”

Back in 2019, Nicole revealed she’d be open to another season if the writers were on board, telling Deadline: “If there is a third one, all of it will come from the writers, and that’s amazing.

“Liane [Moriarty] is deeply talented. David [E Kelley] is deeply talented, and the combination of them is extraordinary. So, where they would take it, I have no idea.

“You have to bow down to the writers, because that really is where it starts. Unless you’re a director/writer, and then you write it. But this show, we’ll see what Liane can muster, and if she has an interest in it.”

Meanwhile, in October last year, Reese said she had been “waiting” with Nicole.

She told E! News: "We're waiting for Leanne Moriarty. She's going to be turning in something very soon. We're back to the original author and we're going to go back to the original characters."

The Legally Blonde actress continued: "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."

Big Little Lies is available to buy on Amazon Prime Video