'Masterpiece' TV drama on BBC has fans binge watching - 'insanely addictive'

An "insanely addictive" drama series streaming now in the UK has been hailed by fans for its performances and "unexpected twists". Tell Me Lies premiered on Hulu in 2022, and follows the descent into a toxic relationship between Lucy Albright (played by Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White), who meet at college.

The synopsis on the BBC website describes it as a story of "toxic love, ruthless ambition and shocking betrayal". "A passionate college relationship will have consequences they never could have imagined", it adds.

Tell Me Lies was created by Meaghan Oppenheimer and based on Carola Lovering's novel of the same name, which came out in 2018.

The first two series take place over eight years. The show was renewed for a third series in late 2024.

One fan said in a Google Review that the series is "insanely addictive and I'm ashamed to admit I'm way past the demographic this show is intended for!"

A lover of the show wrote on IMDb said they were "obsessed" after three episodes. "I often run out of series to binge watch because I've literally watched everything! But THIS series is hands down absolutely one of the best shows I've watched in years," they added.

"I don't know why this show was not promoted more.. I never saw even one trailer for it. Thankfully I found it which was by accident. I binged all 3 episodes released and desperately wanted more.

"Any person who writes negative reviews about the show obviously has not been in a relationship like Lucy and Stephen's. Grace Van Patten played her role so well it was as if I was watching myself and could feel her feelings."

A second said they had after "devouring both seasons twice, I'm still reeling from the addictive storytelling and complex characters".

They said: "This show masterfully weaves a web of intricate relationships, secrets and lies, keeping viewers on the edge.

"The writing is superb, with character development that's both nuanced and relatable. The cast delivers impressive performances, making it easy to become invested in their journeys."

A third said they watched the first season on a whim and were immediately shocked they hadn't heard of it before.

"I think the acting is awesome. It's one of those shows that is so toxic it makes your stomach queasy, but you can't stop watching it - watch adds to the entertainment," they continued.

"It's not boring with a similar plot to so many other shows, it's different with unexpected twists. I watched season 2 right at midnight, and it did not disappoint - Stephen is still as toxic as ever."

The show contains a lot of sex and nudity, so it may not be appropriate for everyone.

The first two series of Tell Me Lies are streaming now on BBC iPlayer.