Hulu’s slow-burn campus drama isn’t done twisting the knife. Tell Me Lies season 3 officially started production this month, and star Tom Ellis has confirmed to People that he’s returning as Oliver, the charismatic but “toxic” writing professor who rocked Bree’s world (and Evan’s life) in season 2.
Tell Me Lies Season 3
Ellis’ comeback sets up fresh complications for every relationship in the series, especially after that jaw-dropping wedding-day cliff-hanger.
Below, we break down:
- Why Oliver’s return matters in both timelines
- How it complicates Bree and Evan’s future
- What it means for Lucy, Stephen, and the larger friend group
- Everything we know about the new cast, premiere window, and behind-the-scenes changes
1. Oliver 2.0: A “More Redeeming” Arc—But Still Trouble
Ellis told People he begins filming “this Saturday” and teased that viewers will see “a lot of redeeming moments” from Oliver, hinting at deeper layers beneath the manipulative charm.
Tell Me Lies Season 3: Tom Ellis Is Back
Yet he also promised season 3 remains “as dark, toxic, and funny as ever.” Translation: Oliver may grow, but he’ll still stir chaos.
“Just when you thought our characters couldn’t do anything more ridiculous… they do.” — Tom Ellis
Expect Oliver’s storyline to reconnect directly with Bree’s personal arc. Showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer has said season 3 will lean harder into Bree’s point-of-view, exploring how she reconciles her secret fling with Oliver and the bombshell about Evan’s betrayal.
Tell Me Lies Season 3
2. Bree & Evan: Trouble in Both Timelines
2008 (College Years)\
- Bree and Evan parted ways at semester’s end, but remained cordial.
- Neither man knows the other’s full truth: Evan doesn’t realize Bree slept with Oliver; Oliver doesn’t know Bree is Evan’s ex.
With Oliver now Evan’s professor, the triangle is primed for academic and romantic fireworks. Will Evan learn about the fling? Could Oliver exploit Evan to get closer to Bree again? Season 3 flashes back to answer these questions.
2015 (Wedding Weekend)
Season 2 ended mid-explosion: Stephen secretly recorded Lucy confessing to a one-night stand with Evan and played it for Bree minutes before she walked down the aisle. Season 3 will reveal:
- Does Bree call off the wedding?
- Does Evan ever learn why she might leave?
- How does Oliver factor into her decision once he re-enters the picture?
Oppenheimer hinted the 2015 timeline will “extend beyond the wedding” this year, so viewers won’t just see the aftermath—we’ll live in it.
3. Lucy & Stephen: New Lies, New Alliances
While Bree and Evan implode, Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White) face fallout too.
Lucy still hasn’t seen Bree hear the recording; once she does, their friendship could be over. Meanwhile, Stephen’s cruel power play may backfire if Bree exposes his manipulation to everyone else.
Oliver’s re-appearance is likely to draw Lucy’s curiosity. She’s always searching for moral anchors; seeing Oliver navigate regret could force her to reassess her own destructive bond with Stephen.
4. Returning & New Cast
Confirmed returning cast for Tell Me Lies season 3:
| Actor | Character | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Grace Van Patten | Lucy Albright | Main |
| Jackson White | Stephen DeMarco | Main |
| Catherine Missal | Bree | Main |
| Branden Cook | Evan | Main |
| Spencer House | Wrigley | Main |
| Sonia Mena | Pippa | Main |
| Alicia Crowder | Diana | Recurring |
| Benjamin Wadsworth | Drew | Recurring |
| Tom Ellis | Oliver | Recurring, “smaller focus” but pivotal |
Hulu has not announced new series regulars yet, but casting grids suggest a guest arc for a competitive law-school classmate in the 2015 timeline, setting up friction for Stephen’s future.
5. Production Timeline & Release Window
- May 2025: Filming begins in Atlanta (doubling for upstate New York) and Los Angeles (2015 sequences).
- Late Summer 2025: Wrap.
- Q1 2026: Expected Hulu premiere, following the pattern of previous seasons releasing 16–18 months apart.
6. What the Source Material Hints
Carola Lovering’s novel ends with Lucy confronting the long-term emotional wreckage of loving Stephen, but the series has already diverged. Oppenheimer confirmed season 3 will “expand well past” the book’s epilogue, exploring adult careers, marriages, and lingering resentments. Oliver’s arc, absent from the novel, demonstrates the writers’ freedom to surprise even die-hard readers.
7. Why Tell Me Lies Season 3 Could Be the Best Yet
- Layered Time Jumps: Parallel cliff-hangers amplify tension.
- Tom Ellis Factor: Fan-favorite star brings new eyes and nuanced menace.
- Bree Front-and-Center: A fresh POV that reframes earlier events.
- Unreliable Narratives: Trust no flashback—characters’ memories diverge sharply this season.
Bottom Line
With Tom Ellis officially back and showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer promising “even darker” twists, Tell Me Lies season 3 is set to deepen its exploration of toxic love, betrayal, and the lies we tell to protect ourselves.
Whether Oliver earns redemption or drags everyone further into chaos, one thing is clear: Hulu’s most addictive romantic thriller is only getting hotter.
Stay tuned for trailers, exact premiere dates, and more casting news as production heats up this summer.
