Nicole Kidman‘s return as Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies is getting closer, with the HBO drama taking its first step toward Season 3 production. The long-awaited continuation has faced a scheduling challenge, as its lead cast members are already tied up in other projects, but a new development in California signals progress.
According to Variety, the series completed a single day of filming this week at The Ranch Lot at Warner Bros. Studios Burbank. However, fans should not mistake that brief shoot for the start of the full production schedule.
Merrin Dungey, who plays Detective Adrienne Quinlan, was among those involved, while the show’s main cast members were not part of the shoot. The one-day session reportedly took place to utilize the show’s approved California tax credit.
Full production is still expected to begin next year, though HBO hasn’t locked in a start date. The update is encouraging, but the wait for the Monterey Five to reunite on screen is not over yet.
Here’s what we know about Big Little Lies Season 3’s filming plans
Under the state’s rules, principal photography generally must begin within 180 calendar days of receiving a Conditional Allocation Letter. That window can extend to 240 days for productions with qualified expenditures of at least $100 million. The exact date the series received its approval has not been disclosed.
Dungey’s appearance also keeps Detective Quinlan connected to the story. Her character investigated the central murder in the first two seasons and remained suspicious of the women known as the Monterey Five. The actress has appeared in both previous seasons.
The main stars, including Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz and Shailene Woodley, did not participate. HBO executives have previously pointed to the difficulty of coordinating the show’s high-profile cast’s schedules.
Season 3 also has a new creative voice. Francesca Sloane joined the project in September 2025 to write its first episode and executive produce alongside David E. Kelley, Kidman and Witherspoon.
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