The highly anticipated third season of HBO's acclaimed series Big Little Lies has made significant progress with the appointment of Francesca Sloane as the writer for the first episode. Sloane, known for her work as co-creator and executive producer on Mr. & Mrs. Smith, is set to bring her expertise to this star-studded series, which is currently in development at HBO.
Francesca Sloane will not only write the inaugural episode of Big Little Lies Season 3 but will also serve as an executive producer alongside series creator David E. Kelley and leading stars Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. This new role is part of an exclusive two-year overall deal Sloane has signed with HBO, marking her transition from Amazon MGM Studios, where she had been under an overall deal since 2020.
Before her new venture, Sloane co-created the hit drama series Mr. & Mrs. Smith alongside Donald Glover. She has also held the position of executive producer and showrunner on the series. The second season of Mr. & Mrs. Smith has experienced delays, prompting Sloane to seek new opportunities. Sources indicate that her discussions with Amazon MGM Studios regarding her new deal were extensive, especially considering the financial terms were reportedly lower than her previous contract.
The hiring of Sloane as the writer for Big Little Lies Season 3 brings a wave of optimism to fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of the gripping story. Last fall, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, mentioned that they were awaiting the release of Liane Moriarty’s sequel to her original Big Little Lies novel before proceeding with a third season. It is believed that Moriarty’s follow-up, which will reportedly feature a time jump with the central characters now as mothers of teenagers, is complete and scheduled for publication in 2026.
The deal with Sloane concludes a thorough search by HBO for a writer for Big Little Lies Season 3. This process involved a competitive selection among several established writers and writing teams. Interestingly, Sloane was not part of this initial selection process but emerged as a top choice for the network.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new season, the production faced challenges, especially following the tragic passing of Big Little Lies executive producer and Season 1 director Jean-Marc Vallée in 2021. His death was described as a “devastating blow” that left a significant void in the creative team. Nevertheless, the cast, including stars like Witherspoon, Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley, have all expressed their desire to return for the new season.
Big Little Lies debuted in 2017 as a limited series and quickly became a critical and ratings success, winning 8 Emmy Awards out of 16 nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series. The show’s compelling narrative, revolving around five women in Monterey, CA, entangled in a homicide investigation, captivated audiences and critics alike.
Francesca Sloane's addition to the Big Little Lies team is a promising development for fans of the series. As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, it is clear that HBO is committed to delivering a captivating continuation of the story that has resonated with viewers. With a talented cast and a visionary writer at the helm, Big Little Lies Season 3 is poised to make waves once again.
