“Tell Me Lies” Season 3 Promises Even More Relationship Chaos
The upcoming third season of Hulu’s “Tell Me Lies” is set to deliver an explosive continuation of Lucy and Stephen’s tumultuous relationship. In the recently released season 3 trailer, viewers get a glimpse of Lucy (Grace Van Patten) recording an apologetic video message, setting an ominous tone for what’s to come. “I need to apologize — to everyone,” she says solemnly. “So I am making this tape to say that I am so sorry.” This cryptic message suggests significant fallout from the couple’s decision to rekindle their relationship at the end of season 2. The new season, premiering January 13, picks up after this reconciliation with Lucy optimistically telling Stephen (Jackson White), “My friends think I am crazy. We have to be nice to each other this time.” Her hopeful statement that “things are going to be different this time” contrasts sharply with Stephen’s notable silence on making any similar promises, foreshadowing the troubles ahead.
As the trailer progresses, it becomes clear that Lucy’s optimism is misplaced. Their relationship appears to deteriorate rapidly, with Lucy confessing, “I have made some mistakes, but I haven’t done anything close to what you have done.” Stephen, consistently portrayed as manipulative throughout the series, shows his true colors when he coldly admits, “I want to hurt you and I don’t know how else to do it.” This chilling statement encapsulates the toxic dynamic that has defined their relationship since the beginning. The previous season ended with significant drama when Stephen discovered Lucy had previously been intimate with his friend Evan (Branden Cook). While Stephen initially seemed to take this revelation in stride, the timeline then jumped to the present day at Evan’s wedding to Lucy’s friend Bree (Cat Missal), where chaos ensued as Bree received a voice message from Evan confessing to infidelity with Lucy – suggesting Stephen’s vengeful hand at work.
Grace Van Patten, who plays Lucy, has teased that the upcoming season will be the most chaotic yet. “Fans are in for a crazy ride this season! I think it’s the messiest yet and it truly feels like the peak of all these characters’ worst decisions,” she shared with Us Weekly in September. This statement hints at a season where the characters’ flaws and poor choices reach new heights, potentially leading to the public apology Lucy is seen recording in the trailer. “Tell Me Lies” has built its reputation on portraying characters making morally questionable decisions, and the third season appears poised to continue this tradition, pushing boundaries even further as the toxic relationship between Lucy and Stephen continues to affect everyone in their orbit.
The show has never shied away from tackling complex and controversial storylines. In season 2, Lucy found herself embroiled in a sexual assault storyline involving her friend Pippa (Sonia Mena), who was assaulted by Lydia’s (Natalee Linez) younger brother, Chris (Jacob Rodriguez). As classmates questioned Pippa’s claims, Lucy took the drastic step of falsely claiming to be another of Chris’s victims in a misguided attempt to support her friend. Sonia Mena reflected on this challenging narrative, noting it was “definitely a heavy thing to hold” and “very interesting to see [Pippa] not speak about it.” This controversial storyline demonstrated the show’s willingness to explore the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the sometimes harmful ways people try to support those they care about – even when their actions create more problems than solutions.
Showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer has been transparent about the show’s approach to its deeply flawed characters. Rather than passing judgment on Lucy and Stephen’s toxic relationship, Oppenheimer focuses on authenticity and emotional honesty. “It is all about trying to be as honest with them as possible and letting the characters speak organically as you are creating the scenes,” she explained to Us Weekly. This creative philosophy allows the characters to exist in morally gray areas without the narrative explicitly condemning their actions. Oppenheimer added, “I generally have a lot of empathy for flawed people. I never want to write a character who I’m completely judging just because I think it is boring.” This nuanced approach gives viewers space to form their own opinions about the characters’ decisions while recognizing the universal human tendency toward self-destructive behavior, particularly in romantic relationships.
As “Tell Me Lies” returns to Hulu on January 13, 2026, viewers can anticipate a season filled with emotional manipulation, betrayal, and the continued exploration of toxic relationship patterns. The mysterious apology video that opens the trailer suggests significant consequences await Lucy and possibly others in her circle. While the show doesn’t condone the characters’ harmful behavior, it continues to present a raw, unfiltered look at the complex dynamics of relationships dominated by manipulation and emotional warfare. The upcoming season promises to delve even deeper into the psychological aspects of Lucy and Stephen’s relationship while expanding on the ripple effects their toxicity has on their friends and community. For fans of the series, season 3 appears set to deliver the most intense examination yet of how far people will go in the name of love, revenge, and self-preservation.
