Shows Similar To Big Little Lies: The Tension Stays
- 01. Shows Similar to Big Little Lies: The Tension Stays
- 02. Why These Shows Feel Like Big Little Lies
- 03. Top 8 Shows Similar to Big Little Lies
- 04. 1. Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)
- 05. 2. The Sinner (2017-2021)
- 06. 3. Dead to Me (2019-2022)
- 07. 4. Killing Eve (2018-2022)
- 08. Other Strong Contenders Worth Mentioning
- 09. Frequently Asked Questions
Shows Similar to Big Little Lies: The Tension Stays
If you loved Big Little Lies for its mix of mystery, affluent suburbia, complex women, and dark family secrets, the best shows to watch next are Desperate Housewives, The Sinner, Dead to Me, Killing Eve, and The Handmaid's Tale. These series share the same psychological thriller drama DNA: a central death or crime, unreliable narrators, secrets that destroy trust, and powerhouse female leads.
Why These Shows Feel Like Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies premiered on HBO on February 19, 2017, won 8 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Limited Series, and ran for two seasons ending in July 2019. The show's formula-monterey, california, wealthy families, murder mystery, and female solidarity-created a new subgenre called "prestige domestic thriller." Viewers now expect this exact cocktail: beautiful scenery masking dark underbellies, ensembles of strong women, and a (usually)开放式结局 where the real villain remains morally ambiguous.
Top 8 Shows Similar to Big Little Lies
Below is a data-driven comparison of the most similar series, ranked by critical scores, thematic overlap, and viewer retention.
| Show | Streaming Platform | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Seasons | Key Similarity to Big Little Lies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desperate Housewives | Peacock, Hulu | 85% | 8 (2004-2012) | Idyllic suburbia + mysterious death opens the series |
| The Sinner | Netflix (S1) | 93% | 4 (2017-2021) | Anthology murder mystery with psychological depth |
| Dead to Me | Netflix | 87% | 3 (2019-2022) | Widow friendship + dark secrets |
| Killing Eve | Hulu (S1) | 94% | 4 (2018-2022) | Two women bound by obsession + murder |
| The Handmaid's Tale | Hulu | 89% | 5+ (2017-present) | Women's trauma + systemic abuse |
| Sharp Objects | Max | 89% | 1 limited (2018) | HBO limited series + toxic mother-daughter secrets |
| This Is Us | Peacock, Netflix | 90% | 6 (2016-2022) | Family secrets + timeline jumps |
| Succession | Max | 94% | 4 (2018-2023) | Wealthy dynasty + infighting |
1. Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)
Desperate Housewives is the original blueprint for Big Little Lies: a witty narrator opens with a mysterious suicide in Wisteria Lane, then unfolds overlapping secrets among four best friends. While more comedic and outrageous, it shares the suburban gothic tone, female ensemble, and long-term mystery arc that defines Big Little Lies.
2. The Sinner (2017-2021)
Each season of The Sinner follows a different criminally inexplicable act (e.g., an 11-year-old murdering his parents) and detective Harry Ambrose's obsessive investigation. Season 1 (Jessica Biel) holds a 93% Critics Score and mirrors Big Little Lies' slow-unraveling trauma and unreliable memory.
3. Dead to Me (2019-2022)
A hotheaded widow (Christina Applegate) befriends an eccentric optimist (Linda Cardellini) while searching for her husband's hit-and-run driver-only to discover the friend is lying about everything. The show blends dark comedy + grief with Big Little Lies' friendship betrayal theme.
4. Killing Eve (2018-2022)
MI6 operative Eve Polastri and psychopathic assassin Villanelle become mutually obsessed in this BBC America thriller with 94% RT score. The cat-and-mouse dynamic, stylish violence, and complex women parallel Big Little Lies' tension.
- Start with Desperate Housewives Season 1 if you want the same suburban mystery formula.
- Watch The Sinner Season 1 for the closest psychological crime experience.
- Pick Dead to Me if you prefer dark comedy + grief.
- Choose Killing Eve for stylish thriller energy.
- Go with Sharp Objects for another HBO limited series with toxic family secrets.
Other Strong Contenders Worth Mentioning
The White Lotus (Max) satirizes wealthy resorts with a murder mystery, while Grosse Pointe Garden Society (NBC/Peacock) uses the same murder-reveal structure. Revenge (Disney+/Hulu) and The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple TV+) also deliver betrayal + secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you crave murder mystery, toxic friendships, or affluent suburbia with dark secrets, these shows deliver the same addictive tension that made Big Little Lies a cultural phenomenon.
Helpful tips and tricks for Shows Similar To Big Little Lies The Tension Stays
What show is most like Big Little Lies?
Desperate Housewives is the closest match because it also opens with a mysterious death in an affluent suburb and follows a female ensemble hiding dark secrets.
Is there a season 3 of Big Little Lies?
No. HBO confirmed in 2020 that the series ended after two seasons, with Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon stating no third season is planned.
Are there international shows similar to Big Little Lies?
Yes. Family Secrets (Yargı) is a Turkish psychological thriller that won Best Telenovela at the 2023 International Emmys and features murder + family betrayal.
Where can I watch Big Little Lies?
Big Little Lies streams exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max) in the U.S. and Stan in Australia.
