"Big Little Lies" Star Touts Upcoming Season, Lifelong Bonds with Co-Stars

In an exclusive interview at the 2025 WWD Honors in New York City, actress Tessa Newton, who stars as Abigail Carlson in the popular HBO series "Big Little Lies," shared her excitement for the show's recently confirmed upcoming season. Though she won't believe it until she's on set, Newton is eager to reunite with her co-stars, as the show has had a profound impact on her life.

Newton praised the show's director, Jean-Marc Vallée, and the all-star cast, including Reese Witherspoon, Zoë Kravitz, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and Meryl Streep. She explained that working with Vallée and the talented ensemble has set a high bar, and she's been trying to find that same dynamic in her subsequent projects.

The 28-year-old actress also emphasized the lasting bonds she's formed with her "Big Little Lies" co-stars. She considers them friends she made in "middle school" who have remained close, even as their careers have progressed. Newton recently shared a piece of advice that Witherspoon, who played her TV mom, gave her: "Always say 'hi' first." This simple gesture, Newton says, is a testament to the positive example set by the women she's worked with, and it's something she hopes to emulate in her own interactions.