‘Tell Me Lies’ Is Over: 6 Shows to Watch Next If You Loved the Hulu Drama
Hulu’s Tell Me Lies aired its series finale on Feb. 17, closing the book on three seasons of toxic romance, backstabbing friendships and jaw-dropping twists. For the show’s devoted fanbase, the loss stings — but there’s no shortage of series ready to fill the void.
The drama centered on the deeply unhealthy relationship between Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White), a push-and-pull dynamic that kept audiences hooked and made Tell Me Lies one of the most talked-about shows on the platform. Viewers simultaneously loved and hated watching it. Now that it’s done, here’s why it ended and what to watch next.
Why the Creator Chose to End It After 3 Seasons
Creator Meaghan Oppenheimer revealed on Feb. 16 — while the final season was still airing — that season 3 would be the show’s last. The decision was a creative one, not a forced ending.
“I felt like the story had reached its natural conclusion, and I really didn’t want it to become something else,” Oppenheimer told Variety. “This story, to me, was always a closed-ended story. It has a beginning, middle and end. This was always a question of what happens to this friend group when there’s a poisonous dynamic at the center? And what happens when they reunite years later? So I felt like this should be the ending.”
Oppenheimer acknowledged the passionate fanbase directly. “The fans are so loud and loyal, and that’s kind of all you can hope for. We definitely talked about whether there are any other organic ways to move forward. We just kept coming back to the same thing: It felt like anything else would feel like an epilogue.”
That kind of creative discipline is rare in the streaming era, where popular shows can easily be stretched beyond their natural shelf life. Oppenheimer’s priority was telling a complete story and then stepping away.
So what should fans watch next? Here are six shows worth diving into.
‘Normal People’
If the complicated, will-they-won’t-they intensity between Lucy and Stephen kept you glued to the screen, Normal People should be at the top of your list. The series follows the complicated relationship between Marianne and Connell throughout the years, from high school through college.
Based on a novel by Sally Rooney, the show captures the quiet ache of two people drawn to each other despite the obstacles that keep pulling them apart. You can watch it on Hulu.
‘You’
Where Tell Me Lies explored toxicity from the inside of a relationship, You takes a darker, more unsettling approach. The series shows the disturbing yet intriguing view of self-proclaimed nice guy Joe Goldberg as he enters into relationships with women he stalks.
What makes it so compelling is the way it forces viewers to grapple with a protagonist who is clearly dangerous — yet somehow remains watchable. All five seasons are on Netflix, making it an ideal binge for anyone craving twisted romance and psychological suspense.
‘Big Little Lies’
Beyond the similarity in titles, Big Little Lies and Tell Me Lies share major moments of harmful infidelities, impactful secrets and wicked deeds. The HBO Original dark comedy-drama reveals that behind their seemingly perfect facade, several wealthy Monterey, California, families are hiding information and actions that could completely unravel the lives of those around them.
Past traumas and current abuses culminate in a sudden death that implicates five women in the community, played by Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz. Fans of Tell Me Lies will find plenty to latch onto here — the layered secrets, the simmering tensions beneath polished surfaces and the way the truth always finds a way to surface.
‘Cruel Summer’
If the crime-drama and messy interpersonal moments of Tell Me Lies had you hooked, Cruel Summer might be your next must-see title. This mystery thriller anthology series follows different compelling stories over its two-season run.
The first story is set in Texas from 1993 to 1995 as a socially awkward teen girl (Chiara Aurelia) suddenly blossoms and rises in the social ranks after a popular classmate’s (Olivia Holt) disappearance. The second season takes place between 1999 and 2000 and follows three teens who become involved in a tangled love triangle that leaves one dead and the other two suspects. Both seasons deliver slow-burn suspense and shifting perspectives.
‘We Were Liars’
For those who loved the way Tell Me Lies kept viewers guessing and constantly reframing what they thought they knew, We Were Liars offers a similarly gripping experience.
Based on a book by E. Lockhart, the series is about Cadence Sinclair, who has trouble remembering an accident she was in on her family’s private island. The mystery unfolds slowly and deliberately — and as the source material’s recommendation puts it, you’re going to want to buckle up for the ending.
‘Gossip Girl’
This 2000s teen drama has everything you need: relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters and an ominous blogger to chronicle it all. For Tell Me Lies fans drawn to the social dynamics and the way secrets ripple through a tightly knit group, Gossip Girl delivers that energy in abundance.
The iconic show also birthed a reboot of the same name and has a spinoff in the works. You can stream it — and the 2021 reboot — on HBO Max, giving you plenty of content to work through while you process your Tell Me Lies withdrawal.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
