Welcome back to Baird College, where toxic relationships, long-held secrets, and emotional wreckage aren't just part of the curriculum—they are the curriculum. As Tell Me Lies gears up for its highly anticipated third season, fans are clamoring to know about the Tell Me Lies Season 3 Cast: Who's Returning & New Characters. Good news: we've got the definitive rundown on the familiar faces deepening their entanglement and the fresh blood stirring up new trouble.
This season promises an even more intense dive into the complex dynamics that made the first two seasons so compulsively watchable. With relationships reaching boiling points and past decisions demanding their due, prepare for a ride that, according to star Jackson White, will "shock" viewers.
At a Glance: What You Need to Know About Tell Me Lies Season 3
- Return Date: Tell Me Lies Season 3 premiered on January 13, 2026.
- Where to Watch: Exclusively on Hulu, with the first two episodes also available via the Hulu on Disney+ bundle.
- Episode Schedule: Eight episodes rolling out weekly on Tuesdays, concluding with the finale on February 24, 2026.
- Key Returns: Grace Van Patten (Lucy Albright) and Jackson White (Stephen DeMarco) are back as the central, complicated couple.
- New Faces: Prepare to meet Amanda (Iris Apatow) and Alex (Costa D’Angelo), who are set to shake things up considerably.
- Core Theme: Consequences, accountability, and the inescapable cycle of toxic love.
Setting the Stage: The Unraveling at Baird College
Since its debut, Tell Me Lies, adapted from Carola Lovering's gripping novel, has captivated audiences with its unflinching look at a relationship so poisonous, it feels almost fated. Set against the backdrop of Baird College during the spring semester, the series has meticulously explored the subtle manipulations, unspoken desires, and devastating fallout of early adult relationships.
Season 3 picks up right where the emotional shrapnel landed, promising to accelerate the destructive cycle we've come to both dread and anticipate. Grace Van Patten, who portrays Lucy, hinted that "everything’s coming to a head, and everything’s getting more and more tangled and intertwined." She added, with a note of ominous finality, that "everyone's really starting to face consequences this season." For a deeper dive into the exact dates and streaming options, you'll want to check out our comprehensive guide on the Tell Me Lies Season 3 release info.
The trailer, which first dropped on December 17, 2025, offered a tantalizing glimpse into the escalating drama, confirming that the stakes are higher than ever before. But who exactly is coming back to face the music, and who are the new players joining this intricate web of deceit? Let's break down the cast.
The Core Duo's Return: Lucy Albright & Stephen DeMarco
At the heart of Tell Me Lies is the tumultuous, magnetic, and undeniably toxic relationship between Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco. Their story is the gravitational pull of the series, a force that both repels and attracts with equal intensity. Season 3 sees Grace Van Patten and Jackson White reprise their roles, diving headfirst back into the "poisonous love" that defines their characters.
Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten): Caught in the Cycle
Lucy, once seemingly the innocent one, has found herself increasingly entangled in Stephen's world, blurring the lines of her own morality. This season, her journey is less about escaping Stephen and more about grappling with the inextricable bond they share. We see her record an apology video, a clear sign that despite everything, their patch-up is real, albeit fragile.
However, Stephen's influence remains potent and manipulative. Later, he coerces Lucy into a chilling video confession about her previous false sexual assault claim. This moment underscores the insidious nature of their connection, highlighting how deeply their lives—and their secrets—are intertwined. Lucy's struggle isn't just with Stephen; it's with breaking a cycle she can't seem to escape, rooted in shared secrets and a profound sense of being "trauma-bonded." It's a testament to Van Patten's nuanced performance that Lucy remains a character of such conflicting vulnerability and complicity.
Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White): The Master Manipulator
Stephen's charm is as lethal as his capacity for manipulation, and Jackson White continues to embody this complex, often chilling, character with unsettling precision. For Stephen, Season 3 is about the acceleration of his toxic influence, particularly over Lucy. His ability to pull her back into his orbit, to extract a confession that secures his own position, demonstrates the depth of his calculated control.
Their relationship is openly described as a "cycle" they are unable to break, a dance of push and pull driven by their mutual dependence on "shared secrets." Stephen thrives in this environment of hidden truths and emotional leverage. White has called this "a crazy season" that will truly "shock" viewers, and it's easy to see how Stephen's escalating actions will be central to that shock factor. His actions will force everyone around him to confront uncomfortable truths, including his own.
Familiar Faces, New Trajectories: Returning Supporting Cast
While Lucy and Stephen dominate the narrative, the ensemble cast of Tell Me Lies provides the rich tapestry of interconnected lives that make the series so compelling. This season, returning characters face their own reckonings, pushing their personal boundaries and exploring new depths.
Bree (Catherine Missal): Finding Her Voice and Her Future
Lucy's best friend, Bree, portrayed by Catherine Missal, continues her journey of emotional recovery. After navigating her own romantic entanglements and personal struggles, Bree's world expands significantly this season. We're introduced to new family members, suggesting a deeper exploration of her background and influences. More importantly, Bree finds a "beautiful relationship" where she "finally feels understood." This marks a significant turning point for a character who has often felt overlooked or misunderstood, hinting at genuine growth and happiness.
A surprising time jump also reveals a future where Bree marries Evan in 2015, adding a layer of intrigue about how this relationship develops and what it means for her path to emotional fulfillment.
Wrigley (Spencer House): A Redemption Arc in the Making
Spencer House returns as Wrigley, grappling with immense personal tragedy following the death of his brother, Drew. This season is poised to be a significant "redemption arc" for Wrigley. The loss forces him to confront his false persona and realize he "needs to grow up really fast."
Viewers will watch as Wrigley sheds the layers of his past behavior, taking on new responsibilities and facing the consequences of his actions head-on. This transformation promises to be one of the most compelling individual journeys of the season, showing the profound impact of grief and responsibility on a character previously defined by his more carefree, often reckless, nature.
Pippa (Sonia Mena) & Diana (Alicia Crowder): Unspoken Feelings
Sonia Mena and Alicia Crowder return as Pippa and Diana, whose relationship takes an intriguing turn this season. Pippa finally verbalizes her feelings for Diana, a moment that will undoubtedly add a fresh layer of complexity to their dynamic. This revelation could either bring them closer or introduce new tensions, challenging the nature of their friendship and their individual desires. The show has always excelled at exploring unspoken truths, and this confession is set to be a significant emotional beat.
Evan (Branden Cook): Lingering Immaturity
Branden Cook reprises his role as Evan. Despite moments of significant growth in previous seasons, Evan still experiences instances of immaturity. This suggests that his journey toward self-awareness and maturity is far from over, and he will continue to grapple with his own shortcomings. His connection to Bree, especially with the revelation of their future marriage, adds further weight to his ongoing development.
Professor Oliver (Tom Ellis): A Lingering Entanglement
Tom Ellis returns as Professor Oliver, whose entanglement with Bree remains a continuing thread. His presence in her life has always been a source of complication, and Season 3 promises to further explore the nuances of their controversial connection. This storyline will likely force Bree to confront past decisions as she navigates her path to recovery and new relationships.
Other Returning Cast Members
Beyond the core players, the show benefits from a strong ensemble that enriches the narrative. Expect to see performances from:
- Gabriella Pession
- Natalee Linez
- Edmund Donovan
- Katherine Hughes
These actors contribute to the vibrant, often unsettling, atmosphere of Baird College, each playing a role in the unfolding drama and consequences. Their interwoven storylines create a dense web of relationships where everyone is, in some way, connected to the central deception and emotional turmoil.
Fresh Blood on Campus: Introducing the New Characters
No season of Tell Me Lies would be complete without new faces to stir the pot, introduce new perspectives, and amplify the existing drama. Season 3 brings two significant new characters to Baird College, each carrying their own secrets and destined to become entangled in the lives of the returning cast.
Amanda (Iris Apatow): The Cheerful, Fragile Freshman
Iris Apatow joins the cast as Amanda, a college freshman who initially presents as cheerful and bright. However, beneath this sunny exterior lies a profound fragility and a major secret that she is holding close. Amanda's introduction promises to add a new layer of youthful vulnerability to the cast, but her hidden truth suggests she will soon find herself caught in the complex and often treacherous social circles of Baird.
How her secret impacts the established characters, particularly Lucy and her friends, remains to be seen, but it's safe to assume it will add another spark to the already volatile mix. Her seemingly innocent demeanor will likely make her eventual revelations even more impactful.
Alex (Costa D’Angelo): Bree's Complicated Past and Lucy's Present
Costa D’Angelo steps into the role of Alex, a psychology student and part-time drug dealer. But Alex is more than just a new face; he is identified as Bree's foster brother, bringing with him a complicated past that Bree must now confront. His arrival offers a deeper look into Bree's backstory, explaining some of her earlier emotional struggles and potentially challenging her newfound emotional stability.
Furthermore, Alex becomes entangled in Lucy's world, creating a direct link between Bree's past and Lucy's present. This entanglement could introduce new conflicts, expose more secrets, or even offer unexpected alliances within the central group. Alex's dual identity—as a psychology student and a drug dealer—hints at a character full of contradictions, mirroring the show's exploration of good intentions and morally gray actions. His presence is likely to be a catalyst for significant plot developments for both Bree and Lucy.
The Looming Consequences: What to Expect from Season 3
Season 3 of Tell Me Lies isn't just about who's returning or who's new; it's about the inescapable weight of past decisions and the long shadow they cast. Every character, from the manipulative Stephen to the recovering Bree, is poised to face their own personal consequences.
The core of the show's appeal lies in its exploration of toxic relationships and emotional turmoil. This season, the "cycle" Lucy and Stephen are caught in isn't just a metaphor; it's a force actively pulling them—and everyone around them—deeper into a vortex of shared secrets and trauma-bonded connections. The introduction of family members for Bree and the complex past Alex brings to light will undoubtedly add further dimensions to these themes, showing how personal histories inform current struggles.
Viewers can expect a season that continues to challenge perceptions of love, friendship, and loyalty. The unflinching portrayal of unhealthy dynamics, coupled with the slow unraveling of carefully constructed lies, promises a narrative that is both unsettling and deeply human. As the characters grapple with the fallout of their choices, the series invites us to consider the long-term impact of emotional dishonesty and the painful, often necessary, steps toward accountability. Prepare for a season where the consequences are not just felt, but truly accelerate, pushing everyone to their breaking points.
Beyond the Screen: Why 'Tell Me Lies' Resonates So Deeply
Tell Me Lies has carved out a distinct niche in the landscape of young adult dramas by refusing to sugarcoat the complexities of early romantic and platonic relationships. It doesn't shy away from depicting the messy, often uncomfortable, truths about power dynamics, manipulation, and the psychological impact of toxic love. This raw honesty is precisely why the show resonates so deeply with its audience.
The series is more than just a college drama; it’s a nuanced character study that prompts viewers to examine their own relationships, past and present. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about enabling behavior, the line between passion and obsession, and the insidious ways secrets can bind people together, even when those bonds are destructive. The talent of the cast, both returning and new, is crucial to bringing these intricate, often flawed, characters to life with such compelling authenticity. They make you root for them, despise them, and ultimately, understand them in their messy humanity.
Wrapping Up: Brace Yourself for the Unraveling
As Tell Me Lies Season 3 unfolds, get ready for a season of intense emotional confrontations, shocking revelations, and pivotal character transformations. The ensemble cast, led by the captivating dynamic of Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, promises to deliver performances that are as nuanced as they are impactful.
With new characters like Amanda and Alex injecting fresh energy and untold secrets into the mix, and familiar faces facing unprecedented consequences, Baird College is set to be more turbulent than ever. Whether you're drawn to the toxic romance, the intricate friendships, or the psychological depth, Season 3 is shaping up to be essential viewing. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to witness the dramatic unraveling of lies and lives. It's going to be a wild ride.