Hulu’s “Tell Me Lies” Returns with Shocking New Season
The acclaimed drama Tell Me Lies has made its return with a highly anticipated third season, and the premiere featured one of the most startling sex scenes in the show’s history.
The episode begins with Stephen (Jackson White) blackmailing Lucy (Grace Van Patten) into filming a damaging confession. Overwhelmed by guilt over her past and the emotional pressure of Stephen’s manipulation, Lucy finds herself back at Alex’s (Costa D’Angelo) door, uncertain about what will happen next.
Initially, Lucy cuts her time with Alex short, feeling unable to provide the reassurance he seeks. However, she soon approaches their connection with a new, unsettling mindset. The explicit sex scene that follows shows Lucy mentally replaying the abuse she endured, even as Alex harshly calls her “fucking pathetic” while they’re intimate.
Longtime viewers of Tell Me Lies know that the series frequently tackles toxic relationships, but the mental turmoil showcased in season three is particularly difficult to watch. This season prompts viewers to ponder why Lucy not only endures but also seems to pursue this abusive treatment. What compels Alex to step into the role of aggressor? To get more insights, Decider reached out to creator and showrunner Meghan Oppenheimer, as well as stars Van Patten and D’Angelo.
According to Van Patten, “I think Lucy is looking for punishment. She’s accustomed to being treated genuinely by Stephen, and she seems to be seeking the type of love she believes she deserves. It’s really heartbreaking.”
Oppenheimer added, “Alex serves as a safe space for her to explore her darker impulses. At the same time, he is battling his own traumas, which draw him to a more aggressive role than he had in the past.”
D’Angelo, who plays a new character in this season, emphasized the importance of understanding Alex’s background, particularly the upbringing in a troubled foster care system. “Researching what kids go through in those environments was crucial,” he noted. “Once we were on set, it was about letting go and trusting the work we did.”
“We aimed for this piece to reflect two people genuinely exploring each other’s complexities rather than just being provocative,” Oppenheimer remarked.
Interestingly, Episode 4 presented another powerful scene in a car where Lucy confronts her past and, while vulnerable, repeatedly apologizes to Alex during their intimate moment. This highlights her inner turmoil and self-loathing, as Van Patten expressed, “You can really see how much Lucy is wrestling with her own feelings of guilt.”
D’Angelo mentioned that while the script delves into dark themes, working with Van Patten makes it easier. “She can switch from vulnerability to lightness, which is refreshing on set, given how emotionally draining the material can be.”
In past interviews, D’Angelo praised Oppenheimer and the intimacy coordinator for their supportive approach during filming these delicate scenes. “These intimate moments are not merely about physicality; they reflect where the characters stand mentally.”
The new episodes of Tell Me Lies Season 3 debut every Tuesday on Hulu.
