The season 2 finale of "Tell Me Lies" left viewers reeling with a shocking twist that changed everything. Now, the cast and executives behind the hit Hulu series are revealing the secrets behind that game-changing moment – and the alternate ending that could have been.
As the curtain fell on the second season of "Tell Me Lies," viewers were left gasping at the sight of Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) being arrested for the murder of her ex-lover, Stephen DeMarco (Jackson James). It was a twist that no one saw coming, and it left fans with a burning question: was this always the plan?
Tell Me Lies" Finale: The Truth Behind the Shocking Twist and the Alternate Ending
In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, "Tell Me Lies" executive producer Meaghan Oppenheimer revealed that the shocking finale was not the original ending envisioned for the season.
"We had a different ending in mind for a long time," Oppenheimer said. "But as we got closer to the end of the season, we realized that the story was taking us in a different direction."
According to Oppenheimer, the original ending involved Lucy and Stephen having a confrontation that would have led to Stephen's death. However, as the writers delved deeper into the characters and their motivations, they realized that this conclusion was not the most satisfying or believable outcome.
"We felt like that ending was too easy," Oppenheimer explained. "It didn't give us the emotional catharsis that we wanted."
Instead, the writers chose to explore the idea of Lucy being responsible for Stephen's death in a more indirect way. By having her arrest him for a crime he didn't commit, they created a twist that was both shocking and believable.
"It was a way to show the consequences of Lucy's actions without having her be directly responsible for his death," Oppenheimer said.
The cast of "Tell Me Lies" was equally surprised by the finale twist. Grace Van Patten, who plays Lucy, admitted that she had no idea what was going to happen until she read the script.
"I was shocked when I read the ending," Van Patten said. "But I also thought it was brilliant. It's a really unexpected twist that makes you question everything you thought you knew."
Jackson James, who plays Stephen, said that he was initially disappointed that his character would not be killed off in the finale. However, he eventually came to appreciate the complexity of the ending.
"I think it's a really powerful ending," James said. "It shows that Lucy is not a victim. She's a complex character who is capable of doing both good and bad things."
The alternate ending that was originally planned for "Tell Me Lies" would have been a more straightforward and conventional conclusion. Lucy would have killed Stephen in a fit of rage, and the season would have ended with her being charged with his murder.
However, the writers ultimately decided that this ending was too predictable and unsatisfying. The shocking twist they ultimately chose is more ambiguous and open-ended, leaving viewers to grapple with the consequences of Lucy's actions and the complex nature of her character.
The success of the "Tell Me Lies" finale is a testament to the writers' ability to take risks and surprise their audience. By choosing to deviate from the original ending, they created a twist that is both shocking and emotionally resonant. It is an ending that will continue to be debated and discussed long after the credits have rolled.
