Fans are once again asking, when does Tell Me Lies come out, as anticipation builds for the return of Hulu’s hit romantic drama. The latest confirmed update from Hulu states that Tell Me Lies Season 2 is officially set to premiere in summer 2026. Production resumed in late 2025 following previous delays related to Hollywood’s 2023 labor strikes, and filming wrapped earlier this year in Los Angeles.
With the network confirming that editing and post-production are now underway, fans can expect a release window between June and August 2026, placing the show in Hulu’s prime summer lineup.
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The Success of Tell Me Lies Season 1
Tell Me Lies debuted on Hulu on September 7, 2022, and quickly gained attention for its emotionally intense storytelling and layered characters. Based on Carola Lovering’s 2018 novel of the same name, the show explored the toxic and deeply entangled relationship between Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White).
The first season spanned eight years of their turbulent connection, blending college romance with psychological tension and emotional manipulation. Viewers were drawn in by the slow-burn storytelling and morally complex dynamics.
The season finale left fans with multiple unanswered questions, especially surrounding Stephen’s future and Lucy’s emotional reckoning — setting up strong momentum for a second season.
Renewal and Production Timeline
Hulu officially renewed Tell Me Lies for a second season in November 2022, just two months after the show’s premiere. At the time, it ranked among Hulu’s top-performing dramas for young adult audiences.
However, production on Season 2 faced significant delays due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strikes throughout 2023. These strikes caused nearly a year-long pause in most major scripted productions across Hollywood, including Tell Me Lies.
Filming officially restarted in September 2025 and wrapped in early January 2026. With post-production now active, the creative team and Hulu executives have confirmed that the series will be ready for release by mid-2026.
What Fans Can Expect in Season 2
While Hulu has not yet released an official synopsis, early reports from the production team confirm that Season 2 will pick up directly after the Season 1 finale.
Here’s what viewers can expect:
- The storyline will continue to explore the aftermath of Lucy discovering the depth of Stephen’s betrayal.
- New characters introduced in Season 2 will expand on the themes of consequence, emotional trauma, and self-discovery.
- The timeline will move forward into the characters’ late 20s, showing how past relationships shape their present lives.
The series remains focused on the emotional realism that made it stand out — depicting how love, obsession, and deception can intertwine in lasting and destructive ways.
Cast Returning for Season 2
Hulu has confirmed the return of its core cast, which includes:
- Grace Van Patten as Lucy Albright
- Jackson White as Stephen DeMarco
- Alicia Crowder as Diana
- Branden Cook as Evan
- Spencer House as Wrigley
- Catherine Missal as Bree
- Benjamin Wadsworth as Drew
New recurring cast members have also joined for Season 2, though their roles remain under wraps. Based on current information, several new characters are expected to represent professional and romantic challenges for Lucy and Stephen as they navigate adulthood.
Behind the Camera: The Team Creating Season 2
The creative team remains largely intact from the first season, ensuring tonal and narrative continuity.
- Meaghan Oppenheimer returns as showrunner and executive producer.
- Emma Roberts, Karah Preiss, and Laura Lewis continue as executive producers under Belletrist Productions.
- Carola Lovering, author of the original novel, remains an executive producer and consultant, ensuring that the adaptation stays faithful to the source material’s emotional complexity.
Hulu’s production strategy for Season 2 emphasizes cinematic storytelling, with multiple directors handling episodes to expand the show’s visual scope and emotional depth.
The Story So Far: A Recap for Viewers
To understand where Season 2 is heading, it’s worth revisiting the ending of Season 1.
The final episode featured Lucy learning devastating truths about Stephen, culminating in the collapse of their already fragile relationship. Flash-forward scenes revealed the long-term consequences of their actions, hinting at unresolved connections years later.
The season also explored friendships and betrayals among Lucy’s college circle — Wrigley, Bree, and Pippa — setting up emotional arcs that will continue in Season 2.
The show’s nonlinear structure, switching between college years and adult life, is expected to continue, giving audiences insight into how the characters evolve over time.
Why the Show Resonates with Audiences
Tell Me Lies connects deeply with viewers because of its raw, unfiltered look at emotional entanglement. Unlike traditional romantic dramas, it doesn’t shy away from depicting flawed characters or toxic relationship cycles.
Themes that define the series include:
- Psychological Manipulation: How love can blur the lines between affection and control.
- Consequences of Choices: How youthful mistakes carry weight into adulthood.
- Identity and Growth: The struggle to heal from past trauma while finding self-worth.
Grace Van Patten’s portrayal of Lucy — fragile yet determined — and Jackson White’s chilling charisma as Stephen have been praised for bringing authenticity to these complex dynamics.
Critical Reception and Awards
Season 1 of Tell Me Lies received generally positive reviews from both critics and viewers. It currently holds strong scores on major review platforms, praised for its performances and emotional storytelling.
Critics highlighted:
- Grace Van Patten’s layered performance as a career-defining role.
- The show’s willingness to tackle difficult emotional territory without glamorizing toxicity.
- Strong writing that captures the intensity of young adulthood and heartbreak.
The series has also built a dedicated online fan base, with discussions about character psychology and realism trending regularly on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.
Release Strategy and Distribution Details
While Hulu has not yet set a specific date, network insiders have confirmed that Tell Me Lies Season 2 will premiere exclusively on Hulu in the U.S.
The show will continue its weekly release format, with new episodes debuting every Wednesday. This approach mirrors the rollout of Season 1, which allowed the series to build momentum and social media conversation over time.
Each episode will be available to stream at 12:00 a.m. ET / 9:00 p.m. PT on the night of release.
Internationally, the series will stream on Disney+ under the Star banner, allowing global audiences to access new episodes shortly after their U.S. debut.
What Makes Tell Me Lies Different
Hulu’s Tell Me Lies stands out in an increasingly crowded field of streaming dramas. Its focus on emotional realism — rather than idealized romance — has earned it comparisons to shows like Normal People and Conversations with Friends.
Unlike many dramas that tie up their storylines neatly, Tell Me Lies thrives in the grey areas of love, guilt, and self-destruction. Each character is driven by flawed motives, mirroring real-life complexities.
The show’s production design, music, and direction add depth to its atmosphere — a mix of nostalgia, melancholy, and suspense. Fans describe it as “addictively painful,” a show that’s both difficult and impossible to look away from.
Fan Reactions and Online Buzz
Social media has played a major role in Tell Me Lies maintaining momentum during its long hiatus. Fans continue to revisit the first season, analyzing subtle details and predicting what might unfold next.
Hashtags like #TellMeLiesHulu and #LucyAndStephen continue to trend whenever updates are released. Clips from the series routinely go viral on TikTok, where discussions about modern relationships and toxic dynamics connect deeply with younger audiences.
Grace Van Patten and Jackson White’s real-life friendship and on-screen chemistry have also fueled interest, keeping fan engagement high in the lead-up to the new season.
Why Hulu Is Betting Big on the Series
For Hulu, Tell Me Lies fits squarely within its strategy to attract young adult and drama-driven audiences. The series shares thematic DNA with other Hulu successes like The Handmaid’s Tale, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Girl from Plainville.
Its renewal and high production values underscore the network’s confidence in its long-term potential. By scheduling the second season for summer 2026, Hulu aims to capture viewers during peak streaming months, positioning Tell Me Lies as one of its flagship emotional dramas.
The Wait Is Almost Over
Fans eager to know when does Tell Me Lies come out can rest assured: the wait is nearly over. With filming complete and the release window locked for summer 2026, Hulu will soon begin promotional campaigns, including teasers and first-look trailers expected this spring.
Given the show’s dedicated following and unresolved cliffhangers, Season 2 is poised to be one of Hulu’s most anticipated returns of the year.
With filming finished and Hulu targeting summer 2026, fans of Tell Me Lies can look forward to new heartbreak, revelations, and the return of one of television’s most emotionally complex relationships. What moment are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts below!
