Hulu's Tell Me Lies vs. the book: Major changes you need to know

Hulu's Tell Me Lies, based on the novel by Carola Lovering, drops viewers into a twisted, addictive relationship between Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco. The series is faithful to the book's core themes—deception, toxic romance, and emotional manipulation—but it contains some very significant changes from the book.

The show has some alterations in the plot with changes in character arcs and pacing as it aims to include some dramatic elements along with a darker tone. The show stars Grace Van Patten as Lucy Albright and Jackson White as Stephen DeMarco, with supporting roles played by Catherine Missal, Spencer House, Sonia Mena, and Branden Cook.

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Changes in the timeline and structure of Tell Me Lies

Probably the most apparent difference between the book and Hulu's Tell Me Lies is its narrative structure. The book has a non-linear story because the author uses two time periods to switch between the different moments in Lucy and Stephen's lives.

A back-and-forth timeline during the story unveils insights into the mental states of the characters, showing readers the ups and downs of their emotions in an unpredictable way. On the other hand, Hulu takes a much more straightforward and linear approach.

The events that unravel in the show are chronologically presented; hence, their progression is more gradual and less disjointed than it appears in the book. This influence of storytelling changes how we view the dynamic between Lucy and Stephen.

In the book, the slow-burn tension is more apparent, but the show takes this and lays it on top with many dramatic elements by allowing the events to play out in a more classic TV format. Due to the nature of this format, viewers can see the immediate consequences of the character's decision as things play out, ensuring that a sense of conflict remains consistent throughout.

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Character changes in Tell Me Lies

While Lucy and Stephen remain the lead characters in both versions, their nature and relationship come with minor changes. In the novel, Lucy's inner monologues take us on a more nuanced exploration of her psychology as one learns more about her insecurities and turmoil concerning her level of self-esteem.

On-screen, considerably less of that inner world is shown to us, and what we're given is more concerned with how Lucy reacts to an event.

Stephen's character also undergoes significant development. In the book, he is manipulative and egoistic. However, the series amplifies these qualities by making his character appear more menacing from the start. Hulu also focuses on his role as an emotionally manipulative boyfriend and makes him appear more abusive than in the novel.

The show also builds several side characters, such as Lucy's friends Pippa and Bree. Stephen's friends Wrigley and Evan also get their sub-plots.

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Enhanced drama and pacing in Tell Me Lies

Another striking difference between the book and the series is the sense of drama heightened in the Hulu adaptation of Tell Me Lies. While the book looks at the relationship between Lucy and Stephen via their internal struggles, the show heightens the drama with more conflicts and cliffhangers.

The show does not drag much, and dramatic pauses are kept more to the point of keeping the audience in suspense. The tone of Hulu's Tell Me Lies is also darker compared to the novel. The series does not shy away from showing the destructive effect of Stephen's manipulations and Lucy's increased dependence on him.

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The book and the series each make valid points about the dangers of obsession and manipulation.