The tension is reaching its peak for Tell Me Lies fans as the Season 3 finale prepares to arrive on Hulu February 17. Viewers have watched Lucy Albright (played by Grace Van Patten) make one self-destructive decision after another throughout the third season, and the online conversation has become increasingly harsh toward the character. But series creator Meaghan Oppenheimer is stepping in to defend Lucy before the final episode airs, pointing fingers at the double standard she sees in how audiences judge female characters compared to their male counterparts.
The drama series, which began in 2022 and is based on the novel by Carola Lovering, follows a group of college friends over eight years, with special focus on the toxic, co-dependent relationship between Lucy and Stephen DeMarco (played by Jackson White). As Season 3 prepares to wrap up with episode 8, titled “Are You Happy Now, That I’m On My Knees?”, Oppenheimer is making it clear where she stands on the criticism directed at her main character .
The Creator Speaks Out on Lucy’s Unfair Treatment
In a recent interview with Decider, Meaghan Oppenheimer addressed the growing backlash against Lucy head-on. The creator pointed out that fans have been calling for Lucy to face consequences since the very first season, but she believes the character has already suffered far more than she deserves .
“I would say, ‘Are you happy now?’ by the end of the season. ‘Are you happy now?!’ I think that people have asked for her to be punished since Day 1, and I don’t think she deserves that at all,” Oppenheimer stated .
The showrunner then raised a larger question about how audiences consume stories featuring complicated characters. She challenged viewers to examine their own reactions to Lucy versus Stephen, who has consistently displayed manipulative and emotionally abusive behavior throughout the series.
“On the record, I think any punishment Lucy gets is way worse than anything she deserves,” Oppenheimer continued. “I want those people [who long to see Lucy punished] to ask themselves why they’re so much harder on female characters than men, because a lot of people are way harder on Lucy than they are on Stephen, and I think it is quite unfair” .
The creator’s comments have sparked renewed discussion among the show’s dedicated fanbase, with many agreeing that the double standard is real, while others maintain that Lucy’s choices—particularly regarding a controversial lie about sexual assault—deserve criticism regardless of gender.
Where Lucy Stands Heading Into the Finale
As Season 3 moves toward its conclusion, Lucy finds herself in increasingly desperate circumstances. Episode 7 showed the character appearing frantic and emotionally drained. In one particularly striking scene, Lucy stares at a portrait of herself from her early days at Baird College, and the contrast between the hopeful freshman in the photograph and the hollow-eyed young woman looking at it was impossible to miss .
The central conflict of the season has revolved around a tape recording that Stephen possesses—a recording where Lucy admits to lying about being sexually assaulted. While the lie was originally told to protect a friend, Stephen manipulated her into framing it as a plea for attention, creating a recording that could effectively destroy her life if it ever became public .
In episode 7, Lucy begs Stephen to either destroy the tape or release it so she can stop living in constant fear. In a moment that surprised viewers, he hands it over. However, given Lucy’s recent struggles with memory loss and confusion, it remains unclear whether this actually happened or if it was another layer of psychological torment .
Meaghan Oppenheimer previously explained to TheWrap that the tape represents a “life-ruining” threat for Lucy, and the Season 3 theme centers heavily on consequences. “It’s always a delicate thing to navigate when you’re dealing with a subject that’s so painful for so many people,” Oppenheimer said. “So I wanted to make sure that we really dig into the fact that when Lucy told this lie, she was not doing it for attention—she was not doing it for any malicious reason. She was doing it to protect her friend” .
Cast Teases an Explosive Final Episode
The cast members themselves are warning fans to prepare for an intense experience when the finale drops. Cat Missal, who plays Bree, and Costa D’Angelo, who plays Alex, recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about what viewers can expect from the remaining episodes .
Missal described the finale as “so controversial” and jokingly suggested that viewers should “have your beta blockers [within reach]” before watching .
D’Angelo echoed her concerns, offering some practical advice for fans. “Yeah, it’s crazy. Just go for a walk. Take a few laps after it ends, get some sun,” he said. “It’s insane. I think it’s going to blow up the internet. It’s crazy. So, enjoy” .
Jackson White, who plays the manipulative Stephen, also weighed in on the finale while receiving the Rising Star Award at SCAD TVfest in Atlanta. When asked about the season’s conclusion, he teased, “I can’t say it’s a great ending, but it’s going to spark a lot of conversation” .
Grace Van Patten has described the ending as “perfect,” expressing satisfaction with how the story resolves for her character .
What the Finale Holds for Other Characters
While much of the focus remains on Lucy and Stephen, the finale will also address several other simmering storylines. The official synopsis for episode 8 reads: “A scandal erupts at Baird College. When shocking truths come to light, consequences follow for everyone” .
Bree’s storyline has taken unexpected turns throughout the season, particularly regarding her connection with Wrigley (played by Spencer House). In episode 7, Bree and Wrigley confirmed their feelings for each other, leading Wrigley to end things with Pippa (played by Sonia Mena). However, Pippa then requested one final night with Wrigley, and he agreed—creating a complicated situation that will likely explode in the finale .
Spencer House addressed concerns about the scene with Pippa in an exclusive interview with Just Jared, confirming that it was consensual despite some fan worries. “I definitely think it is consensual. I don’t think this was against his will in any way,” House explained. “I think he still has a strong connection with her and I think more than anything he just wants to see her happy and he doesn’t want to break her heart” .
House also teased that viewers will find “closure” for the characters in the finale. “I do feel that the story wraps up nicely and I think there is a bit of a feeling of closure with each character, I felt that way,” he said .
Bree’s complicated history with professor Oliver (played by Tom Ellis) also resurfaced in episode 6 when she visited his house and ended up talking with his wife, Marianne (played by Gabriella Pession). During that conversation, Bree revealed that Oliver’s newest target, a student named Amanda (played by Iris Apatow), is only 17 years old—adding another layer of complexity to an already disturbing situation .
Meaghan Oppenheimer explained why she wanted to bring Oliver back this season despite his limited screen time. “Knowing the untapped potential for conflict that we had for Evan and Oliver was one of the bigger reasons why I decided to bring him back,” she told TheWrap. “A lot of people didn’t see Oliver as a predator for a lot of Season 2, and even by the end some people didn’t, because I think Tom is, on the surface, so charming and compelling and handsome. I wanted to leave no question about who he is this season” .
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How to Watch the Tell Me Lies Season 3 Finale
The Season 3 finale of Tell Me Lies will stream exclusively on Hulu in the United States on February 17, 2026 . For viewers in the UK, the series streams on Disney+ . The episode will be available starting at 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT on Monday night .
The third season consists of eight episodes total, with new episodes releasing weekly following the two-episode premiere on January 13 . Seasons 1 and 2 are also available to stream on Hulu in the US and Disney+ and BBC iPlayer in the UK .
While Meaghan Oppenheimer has previously suggested that Season 3 could serve as a satisfying ending for the series, she remains noncommittal about the future. “I can’t confirm anything,” she said, leaving the door open for potential continuation while not promising anything definite . Given the show’s popularity and the intense fan engagement it generates weekly, a fourth season may still be possible .
As viewers prepare for the finale, one thing seems certain: the conversation will continue long after the credits roll. Whether fans ultimately agree with Oppenheimer’s defense of Lucy or continue to call for her comeuppance, Tell Me Lies has once again succeeded in creating the kind of water-cooler television that keeps people talking.
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