Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Why Familiar Characters Make Sequels Publishing’s Safest Commercial Bet
Publishers often see sequels as a safer choice because readers already know the characters.
Liane Moriarty wrote “Big Little Truths” about the women from “Big Little Lies.”
The story takes place 10 years after the first book.
It quickly became a top-selling book in the United States.
It was also chosen by Reese’s Book Club.
Another sequel is “Gruffalo Granny” by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
It is the first new Gruffalo story in more than 20 years.
Both books may attract readers because people already care about their familiar characters.
Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Truths” revisits the women from “Big Little Lies” a decade later.
Published on 25 August, “Big Little Truths” became an instant No. 1 New York Times bestseller.
The sequel was selected as Reese’s Book Club’s September pick and ranked third on Apple Books’ US paid chart by 8 September.
“Gruffalo Granny” reunites Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s characters in the first new Gruffalo story in more than 20 years.
The commercial appeal of both sequels partly comes from readers already caring about their characters.
- Who
- Liane Moriarty; Julia Donaldson; Axel Scheffler; and the characters from “Big Little Lies” and the Gruffalo books.
- What
- Two highly anticipated sequels demonstrate the commercial appeal of familiar characters.
- When
- “Big Little Truths” was published on 25 August and ranked on Apple Books by 8 September; “Gruffalo Granny” is described as arriving today, with no date specified.
- Where
- The reported sales rankings concern the United States, including the New York Times list and Apple Books’ US paid chart.
- Why
- Readers already care about the returning characters, making sequels a comparatively safe publishing bet.
- “Big Little Truths” author
- Liane Moriarty
- “Big Little Truths” publication date
- 25 August
- New York Times result
- Instant No. 1 bestseller
- Book-club selection
- Reese’s Book Club’s September pick
- Apple Books result
- Third on the US paid chart by 8 September
- “Gruffalo Granny” creators
- Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
- Original Gruffalo sales
- More than 18 million copies worldwide