Los Angeles, CA – December 17, 2025 – If you’ve been obsessively scrolling for answers about Hulu’s addictive drama Tell Me Lies, you’re not alone. The show that made us all question our worst exes is returning for Season 3 on January 13, 2026, and the newly dropped trailer has fans screaming. Lucy and Stephen are rekindling their destructive fire – but will it finally burn everything down? Here’s everything you need to know about the messiest show on TV.
What Is Tell Me Lies? The Addictive Toxic Love Story Explained
Based on Carola Lovering’s 2018 novel, Tell Me Lies follows Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) as they plunge into an intoxicating yet devastating relationship during their freshman year at the fictional Baird College in 2007. Spanning eight years, the series flips between college drama and its fallout in 2015, showing how one toxic romance ripples through an entire friend group.
From the start, it’s clear: This isn’t your sweet rom-com. Stephen is manipulative, charming, and utterly ruthless, while Lucy gets pulled deeper into his web despite red flags everywhere. Secrets, betrayals, cheating, and heartbreaking twists keep viewers hooked – even when we hate the characters (especially Stephen!). The show explores themes of gaslighting, codependency, and the thrill of bad decisions we all (regretfully) recognize.
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Season 1 & 2 Recap: The Drama That Had Us Hooked
Season 1 introduced the chaos: Lucy arrives at college escaping a strained relationship with her mom, only to fall hard for Stephen. Their on-again-off-again dynamic destroys friendships, including Stephen’s girlfriend Diana and the tragic death of Macy that haunts the group. By the end, lies unravel, and we flash forward to Bree and Evan’s 2015 wedding where tensions explode.
Season 2 ramped up the toxicity. Picking up sophomore year, Lucy and Stephen promise “things will be different” – spoiler: they’re not. New affairs (hello, Professor Oliver played by Tom Ellis), shocking revelations, and a brutal finale where Stephen’s long-game revenge destroys lives left fans reeling. Bree’s wedding bombshell? Evan’s confession? Drew’s tragic end? It was pure emotional warfare.
Critics and fans agree: Tell Me Lies is a guilty pleasure masterpiece. Rotten Tomatoes gives it solid scores, praising the nuanced portrayal of toxic relationships. Viewers call it “Euphoria but for emotional manipulation” – depressing, infuriating, yet impossible to stop watching.
Tell Me Lies Season 3: Premiere, Trailer Breakdown & What to Expect
Hulu renewed the show for Season 3 in December 2024, and it’s set to premiere January 13, 2026, with the first two episodes dropping together, followed by weekly releases (finale on February 24).
The trailer? Pure chaos. Lucy and Stephen are back together for spring semester, swearing it’ll be different – but past lies catch up fast. Expect more fallout from Season 2’s cliffhangers: Bree’s wedding disaster, Stephen’s revenge plots, and Lucy entangled in fresh controversy. Showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer teases deeper ensemble stories, new romances, and even darker twists. Episode titles like “I’d Like to Hold Her Head Underwater” and “You Fucked It, Friend” hint at the venom ahead.
Grace Van Patten hopes Lucy gets time alone (for drama’s sake – probably not!), while Jackson White manifests more Stephen villainy. New recurring cast includes Iris Apatow, and Tom Ellis returns as the shady professor.
Real-life couple Van Patten and White’s chemistry? Off-the-charts – they started dating during filming and are still going strong, adding extra sizzle to their toxic on-screen dynamic.
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Why Tell Me Lies Is the Most Addictive Show Right Now
In a sea of feel-good series, Tell Me Lies thrives on discomfort. It’s raw, relatable (painfully so), and brilliantly acted. The supporting cast – Catherine Missal as Bree, Spencer House as Wrigley, Sonia Mena as Pippa – steals scenes with their own messy arcs.
Fans binge for the “hate-watch” factor: We yell at Stephen, root for Lucy to escape, yet crave the next betrayal. With Season 3 possibly the finale (Tom Ellis hinted as much), stakes are higher than ever.
Stream Seasons 1-2 on Hulu now and brace for January. Will Lucy finally break free? Or will Stephen win again? One thing’s sure: We’ll be watching, cursing, and loving every toxic minute.
For the latest on Tell Me Lies Season 3, trailer reactions, cast updates, and more drama, stay tuned!
