If you, like so many of us, found yourself utterly captivated by the messy, manipulative, and often heartbreaking relationship at the core of "Tell Me Lies," you're probably hungry for more. This Hulu hit drilled down into the dark corners of college sweethearts Lucy and Stephen's bond, offering a masterclass in psychological manipulation, the profound consequences of youthful decisions, and the painful journey from campus to young adulthood. It was an obsession thriller wrapped in a toxic relationship drama, leaving us stressed, invested, and oddly drawn to the trainwreck unfolding onscreen.
But where do you go when you've binged every episode, perhaps even rewatched the most cringeworthy moments just to feel something? Don't worry, you're not alone. We've delved deep into the streaming catalogs to bring you the best shows similar to Tell Me Lies: recommendations that scratch that specific itch for complex characters, fraught romances, and the kind of drama that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll.
At a Glance: Your Next Obsession
- Craving deep dives into manipulative characters? Look no further than UnREAL or You.
- Hooked on the college-to-adulthood journey? Normal People and One Day are must-sees.
- Obsessed with secrets and psychological games? Cruel Summer and Doctor Foster deliver.
- Want more young adults making chaotic life choices? Good Trouble and The Sex Lives of College Girls have your back.
- Ready for raw, complex relationships, no matter the age? The Affair, Sex/Life, and Fleabag offer mature takes.
Why "Tell Me Lies" Got Under Our Skin
"Tell Me Lies," based on Carola Lovering's novel, wasn't just another college romance. It was a visceral exploration of how an intense, often unhealthy connection can define and derail young lives. Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco weren't just star-crossed lovers; they were a study in push-pull dynamics, gaslighting, and the slow burn of emotional damage. The series perfectly captured the heightened emotions of early adulthood, where every decision feels monumental and every relationship carries a dangerous weight. From the profound consequences of Stephen's calculated moves to Lucy's increasing entanglement, the show was a masterclass in making viewers uncomfortable yet unable to look away.
If you found yourself analyzing every glance, every manipulative text, and every regretful decision, you understand the unique appeal. It's about more than just drama; it's about the psychological unraveling, the toxic dance, and the lingering question of whether true love can ever bloom from such poisoned ground. And with rumors swirling about Tell Me Lies Season 3 release date, fans are eager to dive back into that world of emotional entanglement.
Ready to find your next fix? Let's explore the shows that capture that same lightning in a bottle.
For Those Who Crave Psychological Chess & Unsettling Manipulation
"Tell Me Lies" excelled at showing the quiet, insidious ways people manipulate each other. If that particular brand of dark psychology is what kept you glued to the screen, these recommendations will deliver.
UnREAL: The Masterclass in Behind-the-Scenes Manipulation
Step into the morally murky world of reality television with UnREAL. This dark, draining, and utterly addictive drama pulls back the curtain on a fictional dating show, revealing the producers' cutthroat tactics to create "good TV." Just like "Tell Me Lies" highlighted Stephen's calculated emotional games, UnREAL showcases quality on-screen manipulation and truly terrible behavior, but on an industrial scale.
You'll watch producers push contestants to their breaking points, craft false narratives, and exploit vulnerabilities, all for ratings. If you appreciated the way "Tell Me Lies" made you question every character's motives and wonder just how far someone would go, UnREAL will resonate deeply. It's an uncomfortable watch that brilliantly dissects the entertainment industry's darker side.
You: The Thrill of Obsession and Stalking
If Stephen's subtle, unsettling control wasn't enough, then Netflix's You will take your stress levels to a whole new height. This series features Joe Goldberg, a charming yet utterly unhinged male villain who stalks, love-bombs, obsesses over, and ultimately disposes of women he fixates on.
While "Tell Me Lies" deals with the psychological complexities within a relationship, You explores the extreme, terrifying manifestations of obsession from an outsider looking in. The stress-inducing portrayal of Joe's manipulative tactics and his chilling internal monologue aligns perfectly with the intense, anxiety-inducing feeling you got from watching Lucy navigate Stephen's web. It's a gripping, albeit disturbing, look into the mind of a predator.
Cruel Summer: Teen Secrets and Psychological Games
Season 1 of Cruel Summer is a twisty anthology series set in the '90s that masterfully explores psychological manipulation and the dark side of ambition. It follows the mysterious case of a popular girl's kidnapping and the awkward girl who seemingly replaces her socially, only to become unhinged herself.
The series is built on secrets, unreliable narrators, and a constant questioning of who is telling the truth. If you found yourself dissecting Lucy and Stephen's history and wondering what really happened, Cruel Summer offers a similar thrill. It's a propulsive show that keeps you guessing, much like the slow reveal of Stephen's true character. The psychological depth and focus on teen relationships gone awry make it a spiritual cousin to "Tell Me Lies."
Doctor Foster: Unmasking Betrayal and Its Fallout
For a more mature, yet equally devastating, look at betrayal and manipulation, Doctor Foster is a British drama par excellence. Dr. Gemma Foster's seemingly perfect life unravels when she suspects her husband is having an affair, leading her down a path of uncovering deeper secrets and realizing she never truly knew him.
This two-season series parallels "Tell Me Lies" in its depiction of a woman learning her partner is untrustworthy and the devastating emotional fallout. The intensity of Gemma's quest for truth, her meticulous planning, and the psychological warfare that ensues will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a testament to the power of a woman pushed to her limits by deceit.
Kevin Can F**k Himself: The Reality of a Toxic Marriage
Kevin Can F**k Himself is an inventive, genre-bending series that takes the typical sitcom wife and shows her true, unhappy reality beneath the laugh track. Allison (Annie Murphy) is trapped in a toxic marriage with her boorish, cruel husband, Kevin, and the series reveals her strength in overcoming betrayal and trying to break free.
Like "Tell Me Lies," this show delves into the nuances of a toxic relationship, but from a different angle – showcasing the internal struggle and the desperate measures one takes to escape. It's a powerful statement on emotional abuse and the often-hidden realities of relationships that look fine on the surface.
Killing Eve: An Obsessive Cat-and-Mouse Game
From the brilliant mind of Phoebe Waller-Bridge (who also wrote and starred in Fleabag, another entry on this list), Killing Eve explores toxic relationships through the lens of a spy thriller. An MI-6 agent, Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), becomes dangerously obsessed with a psychopathic assassin, Villanelle (Jodie Comer), leading to a thrilling, twisted cat-and-mouse game.
Their bond is undeniably toxic, yet incredibly compelling. If you were fascinated by the magnetic pull and dangerous chemistry between Lucy and Stephen despite all the red flags, you'll be drawn into Eve and Villanelle's unique dynamic. It examines forming connections with truly toxic individuals and even embracing one's own darker qualities in the process.
Navigating Young Adulthood: Love, Choices, and Consequences
A significant part of "Tell Me Lies'" appeal was its unflinching look at the messy transition from college to young adulthood, full of questionable decisions and high-stakes romance. These shows similarly explore that crucial, chaotic period of life.
Normal People: A Raw Look at a Complex Romance
Based on Sally Rooney's acclaimed novel, Normal People is an Irish drama that centers on a complex romantic relationship between Marianne and Connell, tracing their connection from their teens through their twenties. Like "Tell Me Lies," it explores the nuances of a relationship across young adulthood, replete with miscommunications, class differences, and emotional vulnerabilities.
The show is praised for its raw, realistic portrayal of young love, heartbreak, and the difficulty of truly connecting. If you appreciated the emotional depth and the focus on how past experiences shape present relationships in "Tell Me Lies," Normal People will move you deeply. Paul Mescal's performance is particularly noteworthy.
One Day: An Enduring, Toxic Love Story
Another adaptation of a beloved novel, One Day depicts an enthralling, often toxic, "they have to be together but they can't be" dynamic. It follows Dex and Emma, two characters whose paths cross on the night of their college graduation and then for one day, every year, for decades.
This series, much like "Normal People" and "Tell Me Lies," traces individuals from college through young adulthood, focusing on a difficult male character (Dex) and his tumultuous relationship with Emma. The push and pull, the missed opportunities, and the inherent toxicity are all on display, building to an ending that is noted for its powerful, albeit depressing, impact.
Good Trouble: The Adulting Struggle in a Communal Home
A spinoff of "The Fosters," Good Trouble follows twenty-somethings Mariana and Callie as they navigate drama-filled lives in a Los Angeles communal living space. It's packed with career struggles, chaotic romantic relationships, and a dash of activism.
While perhaps less intensely focused on one toxic dynamic than "Tell Me Lies," Good Trouble mirrors its focus on young adults making bad choices, learning hard lessons, and trying to find their footing in the world. If you enjoyed the ensemble cast and the myriad relationship entanglements beyond Lucy and Stephen, this show offers a broader look at the complexities of early adult life.
Conversations With Friends: Entanglement and Self-Discovery
Another Sally Rooney adaptation, Conversations With Friends, centers on two college friends, Frances and Bobbi, whose lives become entangled with an older, married couple, Nick and Melissa. The show explores an intense affair between Frances and Nick, highlighting themes of commitment, honesty, and self-discovery within a complex, boundary-testing relationship.
If you were drawn to the messy, morally grey areas of Lucy's decisions and the emotional rollercoaster of a secret relationship in "Tell Me Lies," you'll find similar themes here. It's a thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable, exploration of identity and connection.
The Sex Lives Of College Girls: Chaotic College Relationships
From Mindy Kaling, The Sex Lives Of College Girls is a comedic series set in a college dorm, following four roommates as they discover independence, sexuality, and navigate complicated relationships and, yes, plenty of poor decisions.
While lighter in tone than "Tell Me Lies," it shares the college setting and themes of self-discovery, identity formation, and the inherent complexities of relationships among young adults. If you enjoyed the campus backdrop and the various relationship dynamics that unfolded around Lucy and Stephen, this show provides a fun, albeit still dramatic, alternative.
Sex Education: Navigating Troubled Teen Relationships
Netflix's Sex Education started with Otis and Maeve offering sex therapy to high school students but quickly evolved into a broader exploration of sex, relationships, and identity among teenagers and adults alike. This four-season series delves into the complexities of sexual, troubled, and sometimes toxic relationships, all while unpacking characters' secrets with a comedic yet insightful approach.
It tackles difficult subjects with empathy and humor, providing a comprehensive look at the challenges of forming healthy connections. If you appreciate shows that dissect relationship dynamics and character secrets, Sex Education provides a more hopeful, but still realistic, lens on the struggles of young love.
For the Lovers of Adult Betrayal and Complex Choices
"Tell Me Lies" explored how early toxic patterns can shape future relationships. These shows lean into more adult relationships, but still feature the compelling pull of problematic dynamics, betrayal, and characters making questionable choices driven by passion and past trauma.
Sex/Life: The Pull of a Wild Past
Sex/Life is a two-season series that follows Billie, a middle-aged mother and wife struggling to choose between her current life with her kind, stable husband and a wilder, more passionate past symbolized by a toxic ex-boyfriend. This music producer helps fulfill her sexual fantasies, making the choice incredibly compelling and difficult.
If you appreciate the themes of the compelling pull of troublesome relationships and a complicated protagonist making mistakes driven by passion, similar to Lucy's journey in "Tell Me Lies," this show will draw you in. It explores the intoxicating allure of a past love and the challenge of balancing stability with desire.
The Affair: The Devastating Ripple Effects of Infidelity
The Affair is a five-season drama that meticulously dissects an extramarital relationship between Noah Solloway and Alison Bailey, and its profound, often devastating, effects on everyone involved. Told from multiple perspectives, the show reveals how personal biases and memories shape our understanding of events.
This series offers seasons of juicy drama centered on human psychology and fractured relationships. If "Tell Me Lies" had you thinking about the long-term consequences of bad choices and the subjective nature of truth, The Affair takes that concept and runs with it, exploring the deep scars left by betrayal and deceit.
Fleabag: Grappling with Past Mistakes and Bad Choices
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag is a brilliant, two-season comedy-drama starring Waller-Bridge herself as a woman grappling with past mistakes, a tarnished reputation, and a complicated family life. It explores struggles with relationships, judgment, and complex personal dynamics, akin to Lucy's internal journey in "Tell Me Lies."
While often hilarious, Fleabag has a profound emotional core. It delves into self-sabotage, the weight of grief, and the struggle to find redemption. If you appreciated Lucy's internal monologue and her struggle to understand her own choices, Fleabag's fourth-wall breaks offer an intimate, albeit very different, look into a complex female protagonist.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Relationship Formation Under Pressure
Based on the movie, this series stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as two undercover agents who are paired up and forced to pose as a married couple. Their professional duties intertwine with the complex formation and transformation of their relationship, all set against the backdrop of a spy thriller.
While not overtly "toxic" in the same way as Lucy and Stephen, Mr. & Mrs. Smith explores how work, secrets, and extreme circumstances shape personal dynamics. If you were fascinated by the unique pressures and strange bonds that form under unusual circumstances in "Tell Me Lies," this series offers a fresh, intriguing take on relationship development.
When You Want That College Setting with a Darker Edge
For those who loved the campus vibe and the specific power dynamics that unfold among young, privileged adults, these shows deliver.
Cruel Intentions (2024): Modern College Manipulation
This new series is a remake of the iconic '90s film, bringing the manipulative world of Sebastian and Kathryn (now Caroline and Lucien) to a modern college setting. These rich step-siblings manipulate their peers to maintain their social standing and indulge in twisted games.
If you appreciated the intense character dynamics, the calculated cruelty, and the power plays among young adults in a college setting that defined "Tell Me Lies," then Cruel Intentions will satisfy that craving. It's all about who's in control and the lengths people will go to for status and revenge.
Decoding the Appeal: What You Really Love About Toxic Drama
So, why are we so drawn to shows like "Tell Me Lies," with their uncomfortable truths and complex, often destructive, relationships? It's not just about rubbernecking at a trainwreck. These stories offer:
- Relatability: Many of us have experienced or witnessed relationships with unhealthy dynamics, even if not to the extreme. These shows validate those complex feelings.
- Psychological Intrigue: Understanding why characters act the way they do, and how manipulation truly works, is fascinating. It's a puzzle to solve.
- Catharsis: Watching characters make mistakes, suffer consequences, and sometimes grow can be a cathartic experience, offering a safe space to process difficult emotions.
- Compelling Storytelling: Toxic relationships, by their nature, are high-stakes and provide endless narrative possibilities, keeping viewers engaged.
Your Next Watch Awaits
Whether you're looking for more emotional manipulation, a deep dive into young adult relationships, or simply a compelling story about complex human connections, this list has you covered. Each of these shows, in its own way, captures a piece of what made "Tell Me Lies" such an addictive and thought-provoking watch.
So, queue up your next series, settle in, and prepare to get completely entangled in another world of toxic drama, intricate characters, and the messy, undeniable truths of human relationships. Happy watching!