Hulu has handed a Season 3 renewal to Tell Me Lies, its popular drama series starring Grace Van Patten and Jackson White and produced by 20th Television. Additionally, Tell Me Lies creator, executive producer and showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer has signed an overall deal with 20th TV, a part of Disney Television Studios.
The pickup comes a little over two months after the release of the Season 2 finale, which, just like the Season 1 closer, ended with a cliffhanger twist that threatens to tear the friend group apart.
Under her multi-year overall deal, Oppenheimer will continue to helm Tell Me Lies as showrunner while also developing, writing and executive produce original series with 20th Television for all linear networks and streamers, with emphasis across the Disney Entertainment Television platforms.
“Meaghan has shepherded Tell Me Lies for two intensely addictive seasons that fueled an incredible wave of obsessive fan and social conversation,” Karey Burke, President of 20th Television, said. “We are thrilled to have her officially in the studio fold and at the helm of another dramatic season.”
Season 2 of Tell Me Lies picked up with Lucy Albright (Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (White) at war after their dramatic breakup and yet, they found themselves in a new version of their addictive and toxic dynamic – which is as infuriating as it is inescapable. The season also followed the duo’s friend group and the Season 1 finale’s impact on them.
The Season 2 principal cast also included Cat Missal, Spencer House, Sonia Mena, Branden Cook, Alicia Crowder and Tom Ellis.
Adapted from Carola Lovering’s novel of the same name, Tell Me Lies is executive produced by Oppenheimer as well as Emma Roberts, co-founder Karah Preiss and Matt Matruski through their Belletrist banner, Laura Lewis and Stephanie Noonan for Rebelle Media, as well as Shannon Gibson and Sam Schlaifer. Lovering serves as a consulting producer.
The renewal was expected. Tell Me Lies stayed in the Hulu Top 15 for over 50 straight days throughout its Season 2 run. Popular with the younger crowd, the series’ social engagement increased 8X vs Season 1 over the same period, with total followers growing 4.3X.
Oppenheimer, who began her career when her first screenplay The Remains made the 2013 Black List, wrote on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead and created and showran the Facebook Watch dark comedy series Queen America starring Catherine Zeta Jones.
At 20th TV and Hulu, she also has in development Second Wife, a romantic dramedy headlined by Tell Me Lies executive producer Roberts and Season 2 star Ellis.
“Eric, Karey, Carolyn, Jane and their teams have been incredible partners on Tell Me Lies,” Oppenheimer said. “From the beginning they’ve been kind, collaborative, and most importantly, allowed me to take risks as a storyteller. I am beyond grateful for 20th’s belief in me and very excited to create more things together.”
Oppenheimer is repped by CAA and Yorn Levine Barnes.