TV Show review
Review basis: 3 seasons, 26 episodes · through February 17, 2026
September 7, 2022 · TV-MA · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
College students Lucy and Stephen fall into a years-long toxic relationship full of lies, cheating, manipulation, and damage to their friend group. The story spans college years in the late 2000s and later timelines through three seasons. A lesbian romance between supporting characters Pippa and Diana grows prominent in seasons 2 and 3 and receives Pride promotion. The main plot stays personal drama without political lectures.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Tell Me Lies.
Woke representation / casting
Supporting cast shows incidental racial diversity in a college setting without strong emphasis or mismatched story logic. The show develops a visible lesbian relationship for Pippa and Diana across later seasons with open portrayal and promotion. Main leads align with the source material.
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue centers on personal lies, gaslighting, affairs, and emotional abuse. Creator comments note double standards in judging female characters. No activist speeches or institutional political messaging.
Identity-driven story themes
Core narrative is a heterosexual toxic romance and its personal consequences. The expanded Pippa and Diana sapphic romance becomes a notable and openly portrayed subplot in seasons 2 and 3. Mild attention to gender judgment appears.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Story stays personal melodrama. Portrayals of toxic male behavior come from individual character flaws. No reframing into systemic critiques of patriarchy, capitalism, or Western institutions.
Production
Woke character or canon changes
Show expands friend group roles beyond the book. Adds a prominent queer romance for Pippa and Diana that was not central to the source novel. No race or gender swaps of established figures.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Coverage and social media show no meaningful anti-woke, anti-DEI, or agenda complaints. Discussion focuses on toxicity and character sympathy.
Creator track record context
Creator and most writers lack strong activist or identity-driven histories. Director Isabel Sandoval has a pronounced trans and identity-centered filmography. Some producers emphasize women-led storytelling. Moderate overall.
