You probably just finished that chaotic, stunning finale and you’re scouring the internet to see if there is more. It’s the Monterey itch. We’ve all had it. If you are looking for a quick tally, the answer to how many seasons of Big Little Lies exist is currently two. Just two.
Fourteen episodes in total. That’s it.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Chicago Med Baby Mine Episode Still Haunts Fans Years Later
But saying there are only two seasons is kinda like saying a Monterey mansion is "just a house." It doesn’t really cover the drama, the delays, or the confusing updates from HBO and the cast that have kept fans in a literal chokehold since 2019. It’s a short run for a show that basically redefined what "prestige TV" looks like in the streaming era.
The Two-Season Reality We Have So Far
Season one was never supposed to have a sequel. Let's be real about that. It was marketed as a "limited series," based on Liane Moriarty’s standalone novel. It was perfect. It had a beginning, a middle, and a very dead Perry Wright at the bottom of a staircase. But then the ratings went through the roof, the Emmys started piling up—eight wins for the first season alone—and suddenly, the "limited" tag disappeared.
Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, who aren't just the stars but the powerhouse producers behind the scenes, realized they had lightning in a bottle. So, we got season two in 2019.
Adding Meryl Streep as the grieving, passive-aggressive Mary Louise Wright was a stroke of genius. It shifted the show from a "whodunnit" to a "how do we live with what we did?" kind of vibe. While the first season focused on the mystery leading up to the trivia night fundraiser, the second season was all about the "Monterey Five" cracking under the weight of their collective lie. It felt heavier. It felt different. Some fans loved the character study; others missed the propulsive mystery of the debut.
Why the Gap Between Seasons Feels So Long
It’s been years. Honestly, the time between the 2017 premiere and where we are now feels like a lifetime. If you’re wondering why there isn't a season three yet, it’s because the logistics are a total nightmare. Think about the cast. You have Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, and Laura Dern.
In 2017, they were stars. In 2026, they are absolute titans of the industry with schedules that look like a game of high-stakes Tetris.
Then there was the tragic passing of Jean-Marc Vallée. He was the director and the visionary who gave the show its specific, dreamlike, handheld-camera look. His death in 2021 was a massive blow to the "soul" of the series. For a long time, the creators basically said that without Jean-Marc, the show was done. It felt right to let it rest.
Is Season Three Actually Happening?
This is where things get interesting. For a few years, the answer to how many seasons of Big Little Lies will there be was a firm "two." But recently, the tone has changed.
Nicole Kidman basically broke the internet at a Q&A session recently when she casually mentioned they were working on a third season. She wasn't even being coy about it. She said it’s coming. Reese Witherspoon has since backed that up, mentioning that she and Nicole are talking about it "all the time."
The shift seems to have come from Liane Moriarty herself. The author reportedly came up with a new idea that justifies bringing these women back together. Because, let's be honest, you can't just have them meet for coffee and talk about their kids' school play again. There has to be a catalyst. There has to be a new threat or a new secret that is big enough to pull them out of their respective lives.
What the Third Season Might Look Like
If we do get that elusive third installment, it’s going to be a different show. The kids—Ziggy, Chloe, Amabella—aren't kids anymore. They are teenagers. That changes the dynamic completely. Imagine the Monterey Five trying to keep their secrets while their tech-savvy, observant teens start poking around the past.
There's also the fallout of the season two finale. We saw the women walking into the police station together. It was a cliffhanger that felt like a period, but could easily be turned into a comma. Did they confess? Did they just give a supplemental statement?
- The Cast: Expect the core five back. It's not the show without them.
- The Setting: Monterey is as much a character as the women are. The crashing waves and cold fog are non-negotiable.
- The Tone: Expect it to stay dark but perhaps lean more into the "legacy" of the lie.
Why People Keep Coming Back to These Two Seasons
You’d think with all the "prestige" dramas out there, this one would have faded. It hasn't. People are still obsessed with how many seasons of Big Little Lies they can binge because the show tapped into something very specific: the performative nature of motherhood and wealth.
It’s cathartic to watch beautiful people with beautiful kitchens have absolutely miserable lives. It makes us feel better about our own messy living rooms. But beyond the voyeurism, the acting is just... on another level. Laura Dern screaming "I will not not be rich!" is a mood that defined an entire year of pop culture.
The show also handled domestic violence with a level of nuance that few other series have managed. The relationship between Celeste and Perry was horrifyingly realistic because it wasn't just "bad." It was addictive, passionate, and terrifying all at once. That’s why people still talk about it. It wasn't a caricature.
Navigating the "Limited Series" Confusion
The television industry loves to move the goalposts. When you search for the show, you'll see it listed in different ways. Some platforms still call it a limited series. Some call it a drama series. This matters for award shows, but for you, the viewer, it just means the storytelling is tight.
Unlike a show that runs for 22 episodes a season and has a lot of "filler," Big Little Lies is all killer. Every shot of the ocean means something. Every side-eye in the school pickup line is a plot point. If you haven't watched it in a while, it's worth a rewatch just to see the foreshadowing in season one that pays off in season two.
How to Get Your Monterey Fix While You Wait
Since we know the answer to how many seasons of Big Little Lies is currently two, you might be looking for something to fill that void. You’ve probably already seen The Undoing (also Nicole Kidman, also a mystery) or Nine Perfect Strangers.
🔗 Read more: Why Sitcoms Like Big Bang Theory Still Rule Your Watchlist
If you want the exact same "vibe," look into Apple TV's recent slate or Hulu’s adaptations of Moriarty’s other books. But nothing quite hits like the original.
The best way to prepare for the inevitable third season is to actually go back to the source material. Liane Moriarty’s book is slightly different from the show (it’s set in Australia, for one), and it provides a lot more internal monologue for characters like Bonnie, who many felt got sidelined in the first season.
Practical Steps for Fans Right Now
- Rewatch with a focus on Bonnie. Knowing what happens at the end of season one makes her behavior throughout the first seven episodes look completely different.
- Follow the producers. If you want the real news on season three, watch the production companies Hello Sunshine (Reese) and Blossom Films (Nicole). They usually announce development deals long before HBO puts out a press release.
- Check out the soundtrack. The music, curated by Susan Jacobs, is legendary. Michael Kiwanuka’s "Cold Little Heart" is basically the anthem of the show.
The mystery of when we get more is almost as thick as the mystery of what happened to Perry Wright. For now, enjoy the 14 episodes we have. They are some of the best television produced in the last decade. Whether we get more or not, the legacy of the Monterey Five is pretty much set in stone. It’s a masterclass in tension, fashion, and the absolute messiness of human relationships.
Keep an eye on the trades, because if the rumors are true, that count of two seasons is going to change very soon.