‘Tell Me Lies’ ended with Season 3 but Disney is already talking spinoff with ‘new characters’ in mind
A senior executive at Disney Television Group has suggested that ‘Tell Me Lies’ might not be completely finished after all. The Hulu drama recently wrapped its third and final season in a way that felt pretty definitive. Or so we thought. ‘Tell Me Lies’ first hit screens in 2022, adapted from Carola Lovering’s 2018 novel. Over time, viewers trickled in, and then practically tripped over each other to catch up. By the time Season 3 arrived, the show wasn’t just surviving, it was thriving. And apparently, executives noticed.
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich revealed that discussions have already taken place about what a follow-up project could look like. Notably, Lovering never wrote a second book centered on Lucy and Stephen. So if the idea of spinoff moves forward, it would be an entirely original storyline cooked up for television. Series creator and showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer has a few early concepts floating around in her head. However, nothing is locked in yet.
Erwich revealed, “Yes, we’ve definitely discussed what another ‘Tell Me Lies’ might look like with a new set of characters. Meaghan has some initial notions, but she also has an original take on family dynamics that’s a completely new series. We’re excited to work with Meaghan again. I think she’s incredibly talented at telling stories about complicated relationships.” Erwich made it clear that if another ‘Tell Me Lies’ chapter happens, it would revolve around a different group of characters rather than extending Lucy and Stephen’s storyline. Which, honestly, might be for the best. That relationship burned hot and toxic for three seasons.
There’s only so much emotional wreckage two people can generate before you need fresh blood. And speaking of Lucy, let’s talk about how this show became a sleeper hit. Erwich admitted that, “It was a slow build. It required word of mouth.” Word spread from friend to friend, clip to clip. Social media did the heavy lifting. The marketing team shared scenes on TikTok. A companion podcast helped stir conversation. Then something unexpected happened. Star Grace Van Patten landed the role of Amanda Knox in Hulu’s true crime miniseries ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’. That casting decision, per Erwich, “introduced her to a wider audience.”
Suddenly, viewers who had never heard of Lucy Albright were curious about Van Patten’s earlier work. Three months later, ‘Tell Me Lies’ Season 3 premiered, and the surge was noticeable. According to Erwich, viewership for Season 3 jumped 150% compared to Season 1. Interestingly, hours before the Season 3 finale became available to stream on Hulu, the platform announced that the episode would serve as the series conclusion. But success has a funny way of reopening doors. Right now, a spinoff remains just that, a possibility discussed in conference rooms and interviews. There’s no scripts, casting calls or production dates.
