Beyoncé is back in the headlines, and this time, it’s over an alleged unauthorized music sample. According to a new report, the “Single Ladies” hitmaker is being dragged to court after a music company filed a lawsuit against her music label, Parkwood. Beyoncé has been in a back-and-forth battle with this company since 2022, when she released her seventh studio album, “RENAISSANCE.”

The release of “RENAISSANCE” spawned several hits, including “Cuff It,” “Break My Soul,” and “Alien Superstar.” In the latter, the singer samples a portion of a song called “Moonraker” by a singer named John Holiday.

The sample appears at the beginning of the track and tells listeners not to be alarmed and to remain calm.

However, according to TMZ, a company called Hirose Entertainment and a producer named Shuji Hirose are suing the mother of three and her Parkwood label for alleged copyright infringement.

The court documents claim that Hirose Entertainment is actually the legal owner of the song, not Holiday, so any deal should’ve gone through them, not the singer.

Hirose Music Is Claiming Beyoncé Allegedly Failed To Obtain A License To Use Their Work

Beyoncé’s “RENAISSANCE” was released in the summer of 2022, and according to Hirose, the singer allegedly failed to obtain the proper license to sample a portion of their song in her chart-topping project.

To make matters worse, they alleged that Beyoncé only obtained a license for the sample weeks after the drop, but only from Holiday, who allegedly transferred his stake in the song “decades earlier.”

Hirose claimed that they’ve tried settling this matter with Beyoncé and her team since the song’s release; however, no progress has been made, and Bey has continued selling the track. The court documents state that Hirose is seeking an injunction to stop Beyoncé from continuing to make music on the song and is suing for an undisclosed amount.

A Judge Recently Sided With Beyoncé On The Matter

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Beyoncé’s company was in the headlines over this matter just a few weeks ago, according to The Blast. A U.S. district judge actually dismissed the copyright and breach-of-contract complaint filed by Hirose and deemed it invalid because the company was formed in early August 2025.

“Please do not be alarmed, remain calm: like the DJ booth referenced in the works at issue, this district judge must conduct a troubleshoot test of the entire system—that is, a jurisdictional inquiry—before reaching any of the parties’ merits arguments,” the judge wrote in his filing. “Plaintiff had no legal existence at the time it brought suit, so it cannot have held a stake in the outcome of the litigation at the time it filed the complaint.”

Artists Come Out Of The Woodwork To Accuse Bey Of Failing To Get Proper Credit

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This isn’t the first time that Beyoncé has been accused of stealing other artists’ work. Shortly after “RENAISSANCE” was released, the English band Right Said Fred claimed that the “Lemonade” singer used a sample from “I’m Too Sexy” without obtaining permission.

“Normally, the artist approaches us but Beyoncé didn’t because she is such an arrogant person. She just had probably thought ‘come and get me’ so we heard about it after the fact when you did. But everyone else, Drake and Taylor Swift, they came to us. To use our melody, they need our permission, so they send us the demo and we approve it and if so we get a co-write credit,” the group wrote online.

Beyoncé and her team clapped back, though, saying that not only did they receive permission to use the sample, the group also spoke about how grateful they were that the 35x Grammy winner even thought to use their work.

Kelis Called Queen Bey Out

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Kelis also tried to make Beyoncé’s “RENAISSANCE” release about herself, claiming in 2022 that the sample Bey used of her 2003 hit “Milkshake” was used without her permission.

“The reality is that it’s frustrating. I have the right to be frustrated,” she said, according to VIBE. “Why did no one have the human decency to call and be like, ‘Yo, hey, we would like to use your record.’”

However, Pharrell Williams, who wrote the song, spoke with the media and said that while Kelis was the performer, she had no authority to make contractual moves.

“I wish her the absolute best,” he said. “But I wrote this song.”

Surprise! Demi Lovato is reprising her role as Mitchie Torres in Camp Rock 3.

The singer and actress shared a photo of herself in the film via X on Monday, August 10, writing, “Y’all miss me? Xoxo, Mitchie.”

Lovato, 33, was previously announced as an executive producer on the film, which premieres Thursday, August 13, on Disney Channel and will be available to stream on Disney+ the following day.

The Disney Channel alum’s post came the same day that she and the Jonas Brothers — Kevin, 38, ex Joe, 36, and Nick, 33 — reunited for the Los Angeles premiere of the new movie, which comes 18 years after the original Camp Rock movie and 16 years after Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.

The Jonas Brothers reprise their roles as fictional boy band Connect 3 as they return to Camp Rock searching for a new opening act for their upcoming tour. The film shines a light on a new generation of gifted campers while paying homage to the original films.

“We wanted to find the right balance of how much she should be in the film and what Mitchie’s involvement looked like,” director Veronica Rodriguez told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published on Monday, August 10.

“Her character literally says in the movie, to her mom, ‘This isn’t about me, it’s about them. It’s their time to shine. This is the new generation of campers,’” Rodriguez added. “With Mitchie and Connect 3, we wanted them to be ingrained and necessary for the story but also leave enough room and space for the world to fall in love with the new generation of campers.”

Disney announced production on Camp Rock 3 was underway in Vancouver in September 2025.

“Camp Rock is an important part of the Disney Channel Original Movie legacy, with unforgettable music, energetic storytelling and characters that live in the hearts of fans to this day,” said Ayo Davis, the president of Disney Branded Television, in a statement at the time. “Bringing it back with Kevin, Joe, Nick and Demi is such a full-circle moment, and we can’t wait to reintroduce this world to a new generation.”

In January, Lovato opened up about being a mentor to the new generation of Camp Rock stars.

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“I wish that I had gotten advice, and I think it would have saved me a lot of trial and errors, like, figuring out s*** my own kind of thing,” she said on the “Not Gonna Lie” podcast. “I’m grateful for the path I’ve had without a mentor [and] without advice from others. I would love to be a mentor to somebody and guide someone through the journey that I went on.”

The “Cool for the Summer” singer added, “I actually did give, like, a mini pep talk to the new cast of Camp Rock when I first met them. I met them as a group and I was, like, ‘Hey guys,’ and I gave them some advice like, ‘Don’t be afraid to ask for time off, like, take care of yourself first. It’s really important that you take care of your mental health so you can do the other things you want to do, like performing and acting.’”

Camp Rock 3 premieres on Thursday, August 13, at 8 p.m. ET on the Disney Channel and is available to stream the next day on Disney+.

As long as The Simpsons stays on the air (which could be for eternity), we’ll receive new installments of the yearly “Treehouse of Horror” special. From Season 2 in 1990 to Season 37 in 2025, the Halloween-themed anthology episode is a tradition unlike any other. Despite being a major landmark in American pop culture, many of The Simpsons‘ most indelible traits, characters, and episodes riffed on pre-existing stories and iconography, which were then infused with a new comedic edge to feel wholly original. “Treehouse of Horror” is no different, as its horror, fantasy, and supernatural roots are indebted to The Twilight Zone, arguably the most famous anthology and science fiction series in history. The Simpsons used to be a love letter to its evergreen artistic influences, but these days, the long-running animated show has its eyes focused on cashing in on the zeitgeist.

“Treehouse of Horror” Was a Witty Parody of ‘The Twilight Zone’

For so many people raised on The Simpsons in the ’90s and beyond, watching new episodes on Fox every week was a gateway to a new realm of classic and contemporary pop culture with its countless references and satirical homages to movies, television, books, and celebrities. This still resonates today with the likes of 26-year-old breakout director Curry Barker, whose recent cinematic sensation, Obsession, was inspired by the “Monkey’s Paw” segment on none other than “Treehouse of Horror II” from 1991. Based on the 1902 short story by W.W. Jacobs, The Simpsons made old texts hip for modern audiences, and now everyone understands that a monkey’s paw represents the axiom “be careful what you wish for.”

Today, The Twilight Zone has endured in the lexicon, from Rod Serling‘s narration and opening theme to its recurring themes and motifs. Just like the aforementioned “Monkey’s Paw,” calling something a Twilight Zone-esque experience, something related to a nightmarish alternate reality or haunted fable, is a universally understood phenomenon, and countless people were likely drawn to check out episodes from the ’60s anthology series after watching “Treehouse of Horror.” The various supernatural and fantastical encounters each member of the Simpson family has every spooky season are comedic takes on Twilight Zone segments, broad enough to appeal to mass audiences yet carrying an extra layer of charm for die-hard fans of the original series.

Direct parodies of The Twilight Zone from the “Treehouse” saga include “Hungry are the Damned” (“To Serve Man”), “Bart’s Nightmare” (“It’s a Good Life”), and “Clown Without Pity” (“Living Doll”). Plot points such as Lisa’s discovery of a cookbook showing how to cannibalize, Bart’s possession of terrifying psychic powers, and a Krusty the Clown doll turning evil deploy the signature hook of Twilight Zone segments for exceptional farce, while occasionally retaining ounces of the show’s thematic undercurrent.

The Lack of Enduring Cultural References in Contemporary Episodes of ‘The Simpsons’

Unsurprisingly, “Treehouse of Horror” reached its peak in the 1990s, and like everything else about The Simpsons, it simply doesn’t hit the same today. To an extent, the yearly horror-themed tradition crystallizes what modern Simpsons episodes are missing compared to the show’s golden age. Before the Internet, the show used to be a gateway to different realms of historical pop culture, and it helped 30-plus-year-old shows like The Twilight Zone increase their cultural legacy.

When watching modern “Treehouse” episodes, the series isn’t so much tapping into its well of references that influenced Matt Groening and the golden age’s writing staff, but rather, the buzzy trends in the zeitgeist. 2024’s installment featured Homer donning a pair of possessed Denim jeans modeled after Marvel’s Venom comic book character, which saw its third entry in the Tom Hardy film franchise release simultaneously. It’s hard to get much mileage out of Spider-Man’s antiheroic foil, considering its recent series is already goofy and tongue-in-cheek.

The 36th “Treehouse” in 2025 directly parodied the indie horror film Late Night with the Devil in the segment “Clown Night with the Devil,” as well as another segment involving surrounding families in crisis watching The Simpsons (with a cameo by Groening). For anyone looking for an escape from the 2020 election, The Simpsons, unfortunately, dedicated a segment in “Treehouse of Horror XXXI” to the mania and uncertainty of the event. This episode reflects a sense of delayed catch-up on the writers’ part to tap into the horror phenomenon, only to satirize a relatively forgotten movie, and the self-reflective meta commentary is very much the product of a show running on fumes. The Twilight Zone remains a timeless source for parody, while also providing a perfect template for anthology sci-fi/horror TV.

An Arizona Shake Shack employee was arrested on Wednesday (August 5) after he allegedly robbed the restaurant where he worked. Keondre Simmons, 33, was arrested in the parking lot of the Shake Shack when he returned for his shift.

RELATED: Say, WHAT?! Texas Customers Sue Popeyes For Over $1.5M After Allegedly Finding “Condom-Like Foreign Object” In Chicken

Shake Shack Employee Allegedly His Robs Own Restaurant

Keondre Simmons was arrested at the Shake Shack near Scottsdale and Greenway Road, according to ABC15 Arizona. The Shake Shack employee was caught when he returned for his shift two days after the armed robbery.

Simmons reportedly robbed two of his co-workers at gunpoint on Monday, August 3, by entering through the delivery door in the back. According to KTAR, he rang the delivery doorbell and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the co-worker who answered and forced them into the walk-in cooler.

Afterward, he allegedly directed the Shake Shack manager to open the restaurant’s safe and give him the cash, which was only $2,800.

Furthermore, he locked both Shake Shake employees in the cooler and made them kneel. Afterward, he took their cellphones and a landline phone before throwing the devices into a water-filled sink.

Simmons’ Co-Worker Recognized Him

Both of Simmons’ co-workers reportedly told the police that the Shake Shack had called out sick the same day. They added that the armed robber’s voice, physical characteristics, and knowledge of the restaurant were consistent with Simmons.

Not only that, the two workers also noted that the robber knew where the gloves and cleaning wipes were kept in the store, and he also knew where the walk-in cooler latch was located.

The Shake Shack employee was arrested in the parking lot wearing his uniform when he returned to work two days after he allegedly robbed the store.

Folks React By Roasting Simmons On Social Media

After the story was shared on TikTok, folks could not help but laugh at Simmons’ misfortune as they wondered what he was thinking in the comment section.

One user wrote, “I’m crying why is he still in his shake shack shirt 😭.”

Another added, “he showed up for his shift???? again????😂😂😂😂😂😂 omg.”

“not him in the shake shack shirt lmfaooooooo,” laughed another.

One TikTok user added “He did a shake down at the shake shack 😳.”

One user joked, “And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids; 🙈😂🤣🤷🏾‍♀️🫱🏾‍🫲🏾😮‍💨.”

“For 3k is wild 😂,” noted one.

One user joked, “left saying see yall in 2 days 😭.”

Another noted, “How you going to get fired on your day off?”

“Showing up for his next shift is crazy work.😳,” added another.

One replied, “Like they won’t recognize him!?”

Another joked, “Keandre that u??”

Simmons reportedly told investigators that he got rid of the clothes he wrote during the armed robbery. In addition, he allegedly told the authorities the gun was at his home. They obtained a search warrant and discovered a semi-automatic handgun and cash.

@abc15arizona

A Phoenix man is accused of robbing the Scottsdale Shake Shack he works at, and he was arrested two days later when he showed up for his next shift. Ford Hatchett has more from the court paperwork on the brazen crime.

♬ original sound – ABC15Arizona – ABC15Arizona

RELATED: Huh?! Delaware Woman Allegedly Robs Wendy’s And Is Caught After Returning For AirPod

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 10, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Jon Hamm and wife Anna Osceola are expecting their first baby together. The actress was photographed showing a growing bump during a Hamptons getaway in August 2026. The couple met while filming the Mad Men series finale in 2015 and married in summer 2023.

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• Joseph and Kendra Duggar have withdrawn their not guilty pleas in their respective child endangerment cases, a legal move that allows the pair to enter guilty or no contest pleas. The couple was charged in March with endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment.

• Colombian influencer Sofia Murillo died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro alongside her mother, Wendy Manrique, and grandmother Rocio Cubillos on August 8. The pilot, Alessandro Rocha, also died after the aircraft crashed into a wooded area and exploded during a scenic tour.

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Reacher, Prime Video’s exhilarating action thriller crime jewel, is back for its fourth season, and it’s more muscular and unforgiving than ever. Based on the highly successful book series by Lee Child, the show sees the return of Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, a former U.S. Army military police major with a high intellect, hulking figure, eye for detail, and a propensity for getting involved in dangerous situations.

Season 4 of Reacher continues the show’s trend of delivering intriguing mysteries elevated by thrilling, aggressive action, showcasing Ritchson’s impressive physicality while introducing a fantastic assortment of new characters. With its fourth chapter, Reacher goes full neo-noir, embracing the genre’s fatalistic, gloomy approach while staying true to its action roots. The result is the show’s bleakest, most furious, and most demanding season so far, a mystery thriller that will have audiences on edge — and, perhaps for the first time, genuinely worried about its lead character.

What Is ‘Reacher’ Season 4 About?

Season 4 starts with Reacher boarding a near-empty subway in Philadelphia late one night. There, he witnesses the suicide of a distressed woman who rebuffs his attempts at helping her when he tells her he’s a cop. Reacher is escorted to the local precinct, where he meets Detective Tamara Green (Sydelle Noel) and her partner, Detective Shaun Docherty (Kevin Corrigan). Unable to let go of the case and feeling somewhat responsible for failing to help the woman, Reacher finds himself involved in a much bigger mystery involving multiple deceptive parties, a potentially corrupt politician, the CIA, and a flash drive that everyone seems to want, no matter how many lives are lost in the pursuit.

Season 4’s ensemble also includes Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette as Jacob, a small-town police officer and the brother of the deceased who joins Reacher in search of answers. Indonesian superstars Agnez Mo and Anggun play Lila and Amisha Hoth, two women who become unexpectedly involved in the case. Kevin Weisman co-stars as Russell Plum, a disgraced freelance journalist working in Washington, D.C., alongside Marc Blucas as congressman and U.S. presidential candidate John Sampson and Kathleen Robertson as Sampson’s icy wife, Elsbeth. Nick Santora returns as showrunner and writer, this time adapting 2009’s Gone Tomorrow, the thirteenth novel in Child’s series.

‘Reacher’ Season 4 Has the Show’s Most Complex Mystery So Far

Image via Jessica Kourkounis/Prime

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Narratively, Reacher Season 4 is the most intricate so far. There are many moving parts — too many, perhaps — and not all make sense. Yet, the mystery itself is so compelling that any weak spots are easy to forgive. Whereas previous seasons focused on relatively straightforward narratives with a clear baddie at the end, Season 4 opts for a less straightforward approach, featuring multiple unreliable elements connected to the opening scene in unclear ways. With Season 4, Reacher fully wades into the neo-noir genre, complete with femmes fatales, beaten cops, lying authority figures, and a morally compromised protagonist who will stop at nothing to solve the mystery.

Whereas every previous season has featured a story closely linked to Reacher’s past, this one is completely disconnected from any personal connection. Reacher just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and his attempts to de-escalate the situation unwittingly lead to tragedy. Even so, Season 4 is perhaps the best encapsulation of who Reacher is as a character: unstoppable, laser-focused, and with a life-risking need to find answers. Once he’s in, there’s no way to get him out; that’s just Reacher.

Action-wise, there’s more of what we’ve come to expect from Ritchson’s juggernaut. The fight scenes are gritty and savage: you hear bones crack and see so much blood splattering that you can almost smell the iron. You can also see the weight of the years in Ritchson’s performance. For the first time, Reacher feels vulnerable; he’s still a mountain of a man who can crack someone’s skull with his bare hands, but, without entering into spoiler territory, let’s just say he gets his ass kicked — a lot. The show is also getting far more creative with its kills, flirting with the self-aware nature of slashers without quite embracing their lunacy.

Season 4 also delivers Reacher‘s best and most elaborate action set pieces. At the season’s midpoint, Reacher finds himself pursued by the entire city of Philadelphia, leading to a nearly 10-minute-long chase sequence in an episode directed by Gary Fleder that ranks among the best the show has ever pulled off. What it lacks in style, it more than makes up for in near-unbearable tension. Like the season overall, it has many moving parts that keep the anxiety high and the adrenaline pumping.

‘Reacher’ Season 4 Has One Hell of an Ensemble Cast

As with previous seasons, Reacher finds much of its strength through its ensemble. This time, Ritchson is accompanied by a collection of very well-defined supporting players, each one with something to contribute to the narrative. Noel is perfect as the driven Detective Green, with Corrigan providing perfect balance as her more disinterested partner. In Reacher‘s world, cops can make a difference, and the best operate under a strict code and answer to a higher calling. Noel’s Tamara fits this approach to a T, and it’s great to see her working right alongside the show’s lead.

Marquette’s Jacob is the perfect Reacher companion: he’s not exactly useless, but he’s certainly not useful. Yet, he’s the season’s emotional core, and his quest to avenge his sister provides a human, relatable element amid the chaos. Weisman’s Russell Plum serves as Season 4’s tech expert, selling it while also carving out a role for himself in a story that never stops long enough to catch its breath. It’s near-impossible to discuss the other characters without entering spoiler territory, but suffice to say that both Mo and Anggun are perfectly utilized and Blucas is a solid addition as the hard-to-pin-down Sampson.

Yet, for all its strengths in casting, it’s hard not to miss Maria Sten‘s Frances Neagley. Season 4 is the first installment not to feature her in any capacity, and her absence is sorely noticed, especially because there are several times throughout the story when it would have made sense for Reacher to call on his long-time ally for help. Sure, Plum acts as a substitute, tech-wise, and Neagley is getting a spin-off to showcase the character in all her badass glory. However, she’s crucial to the Reacher franchise, and this season very much proves it. Similarly, it’s hard not to wish that Robertson’s elusive, stoic Elsbeth Sampson earned more to do, considering she’s the season’s most interesting character.

‘Reacher’ Season 4 Keeps the Show Fresh and More Engaging Than Ever

Image via Prime Video

Reacher Season 4 is further proof that, four years in, the show keeps finding ways to stay fresh. Yet it’s also the most challenging installment so far because of how willing it is to get really bleak. Countless people die, many of whom are just victims of really bad luck, starting with the character whose suicide triggers the whole thing but certainly not ending there. The inescapable pull and senselessness of violence break even the strongest spirit. The villains are probably the cruelest and most despicable in Reacher so far, and their crime spree has so much carnage that catharsis seems near-impossible.

Ultimately, Reacher Season 4 stays true to itself by delivering a fistful of rageful, determined justice that will have you cheering through gritted teeth. Here’s hoping Season 5 reaches the same levels of sheer excitement and narrative complexity, because if the show keeps up this pace, Reacher is headed for all-timer territory.

Reacher Season 4 premieres August 12 on Prime Video.

The best thing about ’90s fashion? It never tried too hard. Simple silhouettes, minimalist details and shoes that somehow looked cool with absolutely everything are having a major comeback, and Amazon is quietly full of styles that capture the same effortless energy.

We’re eyeing shoe picks like glossy jelly sandals, woven mesh mules and sleek square-toe flip-flops you’ll wear on repeat. Whether your style leans more Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Kate Moss or Jennifer Aniston, these picks fit right in. The chic Amazon sandals we’re shopping make recreating the decade’s iconic style easier than ever, especially since they start at $15, .

These ’90s-Style Sandals Will Be Your New Obsession

1. Our Favorite: Equal parts nostalgic and chic, these clear jelly flats look like something straight out of a ’90s fashion campaign. They’re surprisingly versatile, pairing just as well with slip dresses and linen pants as they do with denim shorts.

2. Timeless Tortoiseshell: Classic style meets cool vibes with these glossy jelly flip-flops. The rich-looking tortoiseshell finish gives the nostalgic shoe a fashion-forward feel.

3. Double-Buckle Beauty: The best trends are the ones that come back looking even better. These double-buckle sandals pair vintage-inspired tortoiseshell with an effortlessly cool round-toe silhouette.

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Related: 17 Chic Amazon Tops That Channel Major Hamptons Energy — From $14

Some outfits just have that expensive, East Coast ease about them. Think breezy linen pants, white-wash denim, tailored shorts and effortless tops that make it look like you spend every weekend in the Hamptons — even if you’re nowhere near the coast. The good news? You don’t need a vacation home or a designer budget […]

4. Minimalist Must-Have: The best ’90s outfits we’ve seen start with simple accessories. These strappy flat sandals add that same understated polish to any warm-weather look.

5. Elevated Essential: Love the look of heels but not the pain? These platform thong sandals give you a little extra height while staying comfortable enough for all-day wear.

6. Understated Icon: No logos, no embellishments, no fuss. These sleek black flip-flops let their modern square toe do all the talking.

7. Woven Wonder: These woven mesh mules provide a fresh take on one of the prettiest shoe trends in the ’90s. The open weave makes them feel light and breathable on warm days.

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Related: The Chicest Shoes ‘It’ Girls Are Wearing Are Hiding in This Secret Sale

The fastest way to make your wardrobe feel current and fresh is by updating your shoes. Yes, we said it! This year’s biggest trends strike the perfect balance between timeless and fashion-forward style, making these shoes worth wearing well beyond one season. Fortunately, Aldo is offering all of them at prices that are hard to […]

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The pending third season of HBO‘s prestige drama, Big Little Lies, feels slightly more imminent, with a new sequel book by author Liane Moriarty releasing this summer. Hitting shelves on August 25th, Big Little Truths will be the second installment in the series, and Moriarty’s first-ever sequel. The book picks up with the Monterey Five a decade after the events of the original novel, and will serve as the source material for Season 3. Like its predecessor, Big Little Truth’s premise is anchored in fraught family dynamics. With their children now in the throes of teenagehood, the tightly bonded group of moms is facing enough drama at home, but when an inquisitive stranger begins lurking around the high school and the principal receives a severed human finger in the mail, buried secrets and long-avoided truths are bound to be exhumed.

One of HBO’s most star-studded series, Big Little Lies has been inching toward its third season in piecemeal fashion for over five years, with rare in-development updates keeping fans hypervigilant, but largely in the dark about the who, what, and when of the project. At least part of the reason for the stalled progress can be attributed to HBO waiting for Moriarty to complete the second novel before moving forward in earnest. Moriarty previously wrote an unpublished novella to lay the groundwork for Season 2 of Big Little Lies, which affirms the key role the author continues to play in ideating where the series goes next.

‘Big Little Lies’ is a Perfect Example of Book-to-Screen Cross-Pollination

Image via Penguin Random House

Big Little Lies has developed a rather rare and amicable relationship with its source material in two seasons. Season 1 was, on the whole, well-received as a faithful screen adaptation. There are some discrepancies, to be sure. For instance, the book is set in a fictional coastal town in Australia, while the show is memorably set in Monterey, California. The show also adds in affair plots that were not in Moriarty’s story. In the book, Madeline Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon) never has a workplace tryst with the community theater director, Joseph Bachman (Santiago Cabrera). Certainly, all the marriages depicted in the show are tottering or dicey, turning up the dial on domestic turmoil.

For Season 2, Liane Moriarty moved into an executive producer role for Big Little Lies, which brought her closer to the creative mapping of the drama series that was then operating largely off-book. The author’s unpublished novella work launched the captivating character Mary Louise Wright (Meryl Streep), mother of Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgård). Mary Louise was unabashedly written with Streep in mind, handing HBO a new female lead crafted around an actor who would further elevate the series’ already first-rate casting. The pivotal introduction of the formidable mother-in-law undeniably shaped the trajectory of Season 2, which focused on the aftermath of Perry’s death and Celeste’s fight to keep custody of her two boys.

Since 2019, the Big Little Lies creative exchange has, too, begun moving in the opposite direction. Most notably, Laura Dern‘s Emmy-winning portrayal of Renata Klein inspired Moriarty to give the character a larger role in Big Little Truths. Dern made Renata such a remarkable force and fan-favorite on screen that the book sequel had to match her energy moving forward. Big Little Truths, therefore, is not simply returning to the same character contours the author left off with in 2014. Moriarty is now writing within a terrain that has been positively shaped by the choices HBO made with her characters. In other words, the TV adaptation is now influencing the author’s creative process, not just vice versa.

Replacing Director Jean-Marc Vallée May Be Season 3’s Biggest Challenge

With the publication of Big Little Truths, the biggest outstanding issue now facing the successful continuation of the TV show is not a matter of source material, but the fact that creative control is up for grabs. The death of Season 1 director Jean-Marc Vallée in 2021 was a significant loss for HBO. Vallée, who also directed HBO’s masterful limited series, Sharp Objects, had an unparalleled eye for infusing a character’s memories and traumas into intricately layered visual storytelling. Zoë Kravitz praised Vallée as the visionary behind the show back in 2022, echoing the heartbreaking challenge of moving forward into a third season without him.

Even though Season 2 of Big Little Lies brought in a different director, Andrea Arnold, to direct all seven episodes, Vallée’s influence on the finished product was of paramount importance, so much so that some behind-the-scenes controversy ensued. Arnold spoke out in 2019 about losing creative control in post-production as Vallée stepped in to substantially re-edit her footage. Seemingly, this was always the plan by showrunner, David E. Kelley, who didn’t want to change the visual tone and identity established by Vallée in Season 1. Unfortunately, the creative team got their wires crossed, with Arnold being widely misled about the extent to which she could exact her own vision for the show.

Clearly, the legacy of Jean-Marc Vallée looms large over Season 3 of Big Little Lies. Whoever takes up the directorial reins will have to strike a delicate balance. Simply imitating the first-season aesthetic is no longer an option, nor is a huge tonal shift that makes the new season feel too divergent from the series that audiences originally connected with. That is to say, Big Little Lies’ reinvention crossroads after a substantial hiatus must avoid the Euphoria trajectory, in which a third-season stylistic pivot loses touch with the show’s original spark.

Altogether, the release of Big Little Truths is a key milestone on the (long) road to Season 3 that will, at the very least, allow fans a much-needed sneak peek into the potential plot arcs, new characters, and creative possibilities surrounding the Monterey Five. The 10-year time jump gives Season 3 plenty of room to evolve, but also raises the stakes for whoever takes the director’s chair. The pitfalls of television time jumps are many, including pacing issues, recasting, and exposition dumping, but Big Little Lies does have a unique advantage for continuity: Liane Moriarty has already done much of the heavy lifting in terms of character development through Big Little Truths. Accordingly,this​​​​​long-awaited sequel may finally kickstart Season 3’s production in the latter half of this year, while still reminding us, above all, that good things take time.

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Release Date

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2017 – 2026-00-00

Network

HBO

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Directors

Jean-Marc Vallee, Andrea Arnold

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Writers

T. Rafael Cimino

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