If you’ve spent any time on Hulu lately, you’ve probably felt that specific, skin-crawling anxiety that only Stephen DeMarco can induce. It's a toxic mess. We love it. But when you’re mid-binge and the "Next Episode" button suddenly disappears, the panic sets in. You start wondering how many episodes of Tell Me Lies you actually have left to fuel your obsession.
The show, based on Carola Lovering’s 2018 novel, has become a massive staple for anyone who enjoys watching a slow-motion car crash of a relationship. It captures that specific, suffocating brand of college "love" that isn't really love at all. Meaghan Oppenheimer, the showrunner, has done a pretty incredible job of stretching out the tension across two seasons, but the episode count isn't exactly a secret if you know where to look.
The Full Count: Breaking Down Seasons 1 and 2
Let’s get the hard numbers out of the way first.
As of right now, there are 20 episodes of Tell Me Lies in total. That’s it. It’s a clean split, too. Season 1 kicked things off back in September 2022 with a 10-episode run that introduced us to the nightmare duo of Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White).
Then came the long wait.
Fans had to sit through nearly two years of silence before Season 2 finally dropped in late 2024. Just like the first installment, Season 2 consists of 10 episodes. It’s a consistent format for Hulu; they seem to like that 10-hour arc for their book-to-screen adaptations. It gives the characters enough room to breathe—or, in this case, suffocate each other—without the filler you’d find in an old-school 22-episode network season.
Season 1 Episode List
- We Like It This Way
- Hot-Blooded
- We Don't Touch, We Just Gaze
- Take Me Away to Paris
- Merry F*cking Christmas
- And I'm Sorry If I Dissed You
- Castle on a Cloud
- Don't Go Wasting Your Emotion
- Sugar, We're Goin Down
- The Bedroom Window
Season 2 Episode List
- You Got a Girl, Maybe
- I Shall Be Released
- I Can See Right Through You
- Just My Luck
- Evil, All the Time
- Do Your Worst
- I’m Not Even Here
- Don’t Let Me Down
- Cat’s in the Cradle
- The Last Supper
Why the Episode Count Matters for the Story
Honestly, the way they’ve paced these 20 episodes is pretty brilliant.
In Season 1, the narrative was very much a "how did we get here?" situation. We start at a wedding in the "present day" (which is actually around 2015/2016 in the show’s timeline) and then flash back to 2007. Those 10 episodes covered their freshman year at Baird College. It felt focused. We saw the initial spark—if you can call a toxic obsession a spark—and the gradual isolation of Lucy from her friends.
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By the time we hit the Season 1 finale, "The Bedroom Window," everything had imploded.
Then Season 2 shifted gears. It didn't just give us more of the same; it expanded the universe. We got more insight into Wrigley’s downward spiral and Pippa’s internal struggle. The 10-episode limit forced the writers to make every interaction between Stephen and Lucy count. There isn't a lot of wasted movement. Every time they are on screen together, the air feels heavy.
If you’re wondering how many episodes of Tell Me Lies are left after you finish the second season, the answer is currently zero. We are in that purgatory state where we wait for renewal news.
The Mystery of Season 3
Is there going to be more? Everyone is asking.
Showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer hasn’t been shy about wanting to keep going. In interviews with outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, she’s mentioned that there is plenty more story to tell. The gap between the college years and that 2015 wedding is huge. We still don't fully know how they ended up in the positions they are in during the "present" timeline.
If Season 3 happens—and given the streaming numbers, it’s looking likely—you can bet your life it will also be 10 episodes. That seems to be the magic number for the production team. It allows for a tight, psychological thriller vibe rather than a sprawling soap opera.
How the Show Differs from the Book
If you’ve finished all 20 episodes and you’re feeling a void in your soul, you might turn to the book. But be warned: the show and the book are different animals.
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In the novel, the timeline is slightly different, and some of the darker plot points—like the fate of Macy—are handled with a different level of internal monologue. The show adds a lot of "mystery" elements that aren't as prominent in Lovering's writing. For instance, the whole "who is Stephen with at the wedding?" cliffhanger was a classic TV pivot to keep people talking on social media.
Basically, if you read the book, you won't necessarily find out what happens in "Season 3" because the show has already diverged quite a bit. It’s its own thing now.
Comparing Tell Me Lies to Other Hulu Hits
It’s interesting to look at the episode counts of similar shows on the platform. Normal People had 12 episodes, but they were shorter, 30-minute installments. Conversations with Friends followed a similar 12-episode half-hour format.
Tell Me Lies opted for the hour-long drama route.
This puts it more in the league of Nine Perfect Strangers or The Dropout, though those were limited series. The fact that Tell Me Lies has survived into a second season and potentially a third shows that Hulu sees it as a long-term "vibes" show. People don't just watch it for the plot; they watch it to feel stressed out. It’s addictive in the worst way.
Is It Worth the Binge?
If you haven't started yet and you're just looking up the count to see if you can finish it in a weekend, the answer is yes. 20 hours is a solid Friday-to-Sunday commitment.
The first few episodes might feel like a standard YA drama, but stick with it. By episode 5 of the first season, the "thriller" elements start to bleed through the "romance." You realize you aren't rooting for the couple. You're rooting for everyone to get away from Stephen. He is, quite frankly, one of the best-written villains on television because he doesn't have superpowers or a master plan—he’s just a guy who knows exactly how to manipulate your insecurities.
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Technical Details and Where to Stream
Every single one of the 20 episodes is available on Hulu in the United States. Internationally, you can usually find it on Disney+ under the Star banner.
The production quality is high-end. The 2007 aesthetic is jarringly accurate—the clothes, the lack of smartphones, the specific type of indie-rock that played at every college party. It adds a layer of nostalgia that makes the toxicity feel even more grounded. It’s not a "period piece" in the traditional sense, but for anyone who was in college during the late 2000s, it’s a bit of a trip.
What to Do Once You Finish the 20 Episodes
So, you’ve hit the end of Season 2. You’re staring at the credits of "The Last Supper" and your jaw is on the floor. What now?
First, don't go back to your ex. That's the most important takeaway here.
Second, if you’re looking for something with a similar "toxic relationship" vibe, check out Cruel Summer (specifically Season 1) or You on Netflix. They tap into that same psychological manipulation vein.
Third, keep an eye on Meaghan Oppenheimer’s social media. She’s usually the first to drop hints about production schedules. Usually, a show like this takes about 14 to 18 months to produce a new season. If a third season is greenlit soon, we are likely looking at a 2026 release date.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the After-Shows: Hulu often releases small "Inside the Episode" clips that explain the character motivations. If you’re confused about why Lucy made a specific (and usually terrible) decision, these are gold.
- Read the Book: Even though it’s different, Carola Lovering’s prose is excellent. It gives you a deeper look into Stephen’s head, which is a very dark place to be.
- Check the Soundtrack: The music in this show is top-tier. There are official playlists on Spotify that capture that 2007–2008 era perfectly.
- Follow the Cast: Jackson White and Grace Van Patten have incredible chemistry (they’re actually a couple in real life), and seeing their "normal" interactions can help bleach your brain after watching their characters destroy each other on screen.
Understanding how many episodes of Tell Me Lies exist helps you pace yourself, but honestly, with a show this fast-paced, you'll probably burn through all 20 faster than you expect. Just remember to breathe between episodes. It’s a lot to take in.