Grace Van Patten & Jackson White Spill Secrets on ‘Tell Me Lies’ Season 3 & Diana’s Big Surprise!

ATTENTION: SPOILER WARNING – Significant spoilers ahead for Tell Me Lies Season 3, Episodes 1-3.

Excitement is in the air for fans of Hulu’s Tell Me Lies, as Season 3 kicks off with an unexpected third episode released during the initial Monday night drop at 9 PM PT/Tuesday midnight ET. Brace yourselves—this season promises darker and more complex twists than ever before.

In this season, the already toxic relationship between Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) and Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) escalates dramatically. “They attempt to make things work, but their individual damages lead to the unleashing of their darkest demons,” White shared with Deadline before the premiere. “Stephen’s way of connecting is inherently harmful, and Lucy struggles to maintain her composure throughout.”

Van Patten explained, “Lucy begins the season in deep denial, hoping for a change. Yet, she soon recognizes the cyclical nature of their toxic dynamics. This realization plunges her into a state of panic, affecting her and everyone around her throughout the season.”

Tell Me Lies, based on Carola Lovering’s novel, continues to explore the harrowing dynamics between Lucy and the manipulative Stephen. Following a tumultuous Season 2, the new season begins with showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer and stars Van Patten and White discussing the explosive start and the complex emotions involved in Stephen’s twisted love for Lucy, a shocking twist for Diana (Alicia Crowder), and the real-life inspirations behind the storyline.

They begin trying to make it work, but their personal traumas soon surface.

Jackson White

In the season opener, Stephen’s manipulative tendencies soar to new heights. In the first episode titled “You F*cked it, Friend”, he probes Lucy about secrets after learning about her encounter with Evan (Branden Cook), the boyfriend of Bree (Cat Missal). His sinister motives become clear as he tests her honesty under the influence, setting the stage for severe consequences.

By Episode 3, “Repent”, Stephen escalates his control by coercing Lucy into filming a confession where she lies about a sexual assault to protect her friend Pippa (Sonia Mena), who was the actual victim. He threatens to expose her secret tryst with Evan unless she complies, using the recorded confession as leverage in his manipulative games.

Discussing the filming of this intense scene, White remarked, “There’s no specific process—it’s about trust. We trust each other deeply, and checking in frequently is crucial when delving into such dark places.”

This season, Lucy is more about self-punishment, feeling undeserving of better treatment.

Grace Van Patten

Van Patten added, “Portraying intense emotions like this is akin to acting out extreme happiness. It’s draining but becomes somewhat routine after three seasons, allowing us to switch off more easily after scenes.”

To shed the emotional weight of such scenes, Van Patten mentioned, “A thorough body scrub does the trick—it’s like shedding a layer.”

“Exactly, a pumice stone to scrub off the dead skin,” White agreed.

Lucy’s journey this season is a heart-wrenching descent into self-loathing and resignation to mistreatment, believing it’s what she deserves—a complex and frightening evolution of her character, according to Van Patten.

White believes Stephen genuinely loves Lucy, albeit in his own twisted way. “It’s a damaging, dangerous kind of love, but it’s real for him,” he stated.

What could possibly break the cycle of toxicity permanently?

“One of us needs to end up behind bars,” White suggested.

“Or perhaps a restraining order,” Van Patten proposed. “Realistically, they need to be entirely out of each other’s lives, but then there wouldn’t be a Tell Me Lies.”

When asked about her inspiration for crafting Stephen’s complex character, Oppenheimer revealed she drew from real-life experiences with narcissists and sociopaths. “It’s unsettling how mundane and normal Stephen appears, making him all the more dangerous. I’ve known people like him, and it’s those unassuming, charismatic types who are often the most harmful,” she explained.

The early episodes of Season 3 also delve into Stephen’s manipulation of Lucy’s friendship with Bree, illustrating his need for control and isolation. “It’s a tactic straight from the manipulator’s playbook—targeting and isolating from those who might see through the facade,” Oppenheimer noted, adding that this dynamic is something she’s witnessed firsthand.

Meanwhile, Diana faces an unexpected twist this season: a positive pregnancy test in Episode 3. Her growing closeness with Pippa, who confesses her constant thoughts about Diana, adds complexity to her situation.

Another character embracing his darker side this season is Bree’s professor, Oliver (Tom Ellis). His inappropriate relationship with Bree intensifies, affecting new characters and bringing past indiscretions to light.

In a significant confrontation, Evan challenges Oliver after discovering his affair with Bree, leading to a tense exchange that highlights the professor’s manipulative prowess.

It’s disheartening to see good men justify bad actions from their peers.

Meaghan Oppenheimer

Bree finds solace in an unexpected friendship with Wrigley (Spencer House), who is dealing with his own grief from his brother Drew’s (Benjamin Wadsworth) overdose death at the end of Season 2. This season, Wrigley’s vulnerability and emotional depth are more apparent, setting him apart from his previous persona.