25 Best TV Shows Like Hulu's Tell Me Lies

A lot of shows like Tell Me Lies are equally intriguing, dark, and relationship-focused as the 2020s drama series. After debuting in 2022, Hulu's Tell Me Lies drew solid reviews for overcoming a slow start to become a thoroughly engaging glimpse at the toxic relationship between Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White), two college sweethearts whose romance veers off course over time and the struggle they share to keep the pieces together. Based on the eponymous novel by Carola Lovering, the series jumps through time to depict the cornerstone moments of their relationship.

Part obsession thriller and part toxic relationship drama, Tell Me Lies joins several worthy TV dramas with a lot to say about the profound consequences one decision can have on a long-term relationship, and there are a lot of shows like Tell Me Lies. Complex relationships and bombshell reveals are particular highlights of the series, alongside the toxic dynamic between Lucy and Stephen. Shows like Tell Me Lies contain these elements and more, while telling different, but still intriguing, stories that are meant to keep audiences guessing, and on the edge of their seats.

25 Cruel Intentions (2024)

Rich College Students Manipulate Those Around Them

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 18 9.8/10 Cruel Intentions Two ambitious step-siblings at a prestigious Washington, D.C. college will stop at nothing to keep their social standing. After a hazing scandal threatens their control, they resort to extreme tactics, including seducing the vice president's daughter, to safeguard their reputation and influence. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date November 21, 2024 Cast Sarah Catherine Hook , Zac Burgess , Sara Silva , Khobe Clarke , John Harlan Kim , Brooke Lena Johnson , Sean Patrick Thomas , Savannah Lee Smith Seasons 1

A lot of what makes Tell Me Lies such an intense show to watch is the level of manipulation among the characters. While they are young adults, several of the characters show a chilling ability to play with the minds of others, which enhances the drama of the story. However, one show that may feature even more manipulative young people at work is Cruel Intentions.

A remake of the popular teen movie from the 1990s (which is in turn a remake of Dangerous Liaisons), Cruel Intentions follows two step-siblings, Caroline (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien (Zac Burgess), who lie and control their fellow rich college classmates to ensure they keep their positions at the top of the social ladder. It is an exciting and drama-filled look at the lives of these privileged and immoral young adults, filled with scandalous relationships.

24 Fleabag (2016-2019)

A Woman Deals With Her Past Mistakes While Trying To Move On

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 9.8/10 Fleabag Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern-day London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag's grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business, and her complicated relationships with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge's award-winning one-woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date June 21, 2016 Cast Brett Gelman Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Sian Clifford , Andrew Scott Seasons 2 Showrunner Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Tell Me Lies deals a lot with Lucy Albright's own struggles with relationships as well as dealing with the reputation she has earned in the eyes of those around her. It is a frustrating existence for her and she deals with her mistakes, but is also confronted with the judgments she has unfairly earned. This is a theme in the highly acclaimed comedy-drama Fleabag. Phoebe Waller-Bridge stars as a woman guilt-ridden over her past mistakes who seeks solace in random relationships while her loved ones have dismissed her as a destructive person.

The series has a dark sense of humor, offering more laughs than Tell Me Lies while also digging deeper into the mind of someone struggling with such judgment. Fleabag also explores complicated relationships, especially in the second season with the introduction of Andrew Scott's popular character, Hot Priest.

23 Killing Eve (2018-2022)

An MI-6 Agent Forms A Connection With An Assassin

Killing Eve is another series from the mind of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and despite being a spy series with a dark comedic edge, it is also a brilliant look at toxic relationships. Tell Me Lies explores the idea of someone being in a relationship with someone who they thought was a good person, only to discover a darker side to them. Killing Eve explores the idea of a toxic relationship in a different way, with a character forming a bond with someone they know is dark and dangerous.

The show explores the idea of someone beginning a relationship with someone who is toxic in order to embrace their own toxic qualities.

Sandra Oh stars in the series as an MI-6 agent who begins tracking down a female assassin known as Villanelle (Jodie Comer). However, as their game of cat and mouse intensifies, the two women find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other. The show explores the idea of someone beginning a relationship with someone who is toxic in order to embrace their own toxic qualities.

22 Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021-2022)

A Woman Seeks Freedom From Her Toxic Marriage

Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Kevin Can F**k Himself Combining single and multi-camera filming techniques in a fascinating blend of styles, Kevin Can F**k Himself stars Annie Murphy as Allison McRoberts, the unhappy wife of Kevin McRoberts, an unambitious and self-absorbed man-child. As Allison struggles with how to leave Kevin and take her life into her own hands, she becomes drawn to the idea of murdering him, leading to unexpected consequences. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date June 13, 2021 Cast Brian Howe , Alex Bonifer , Mary Hollis Inboden , Eric Petersen , Raymond Lee , Annie Murphy Seasons 2

One of the most harrowing aspects of Tell Me Lies is seeing the cruelty and mistreatment Lucy goes through at the hands of someone she felt loved her. However, it is also uplifting to see the strength she has to pull herself up and make the best of her life in the aftermath of her betrayal. Another series that displays a toxic relationship and one woman's strength in the face of it is the inventive Kevin Can F**k Himself.

The series initially presents itself as a typical domestic sitcom about a slobbish and immature husband and his loving wife. However, when the sitcom presentation drops away, the audience is given a more realistic look at the life of that wife, Allison (Annie Murphy), as she deals with her unhappy marriage to Kevin (Eric Petersen) and seeks to take charge of her life for the first time.

21 Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Undercover Agents Pose As A Married Couple

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 9.8/10 Mr. & Mrs. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a TV adaptation of the 2005 film starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine take on the lead roles for the series as spies who are placed in an arranged marriage for an undercover mission only to develop real feelings for each another. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date February 2, 2024 Cast Donald Glover , Maya Erskine , Paul Dano , John Turturro , Michaela Coel Creator(s) Donald Glover , Francesca Sloane Seasons 1

Watching the relationship between Lucy and Stephen form and then gradually fall apart in such a way is a riveting experience to watch. However, one of the best shows to explore the implosion of a relationship is Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Though based on the action movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Mr. & Mrs. Smith takes a unique approach to that story. Instead of focusing on a husband and wife who discover they are both secret agents, the series follows a man (Donald Glover) and woman (Maya Erskine) who pose as husband and wife while undercover.

Though these two start out as strangers, the series follows them as their work transforms their relationship. Over the course of the first season, "John" and "Jane" experience the various stages of a relationship while also being in the middle of a spy thriller. It will be interesting to see how Mr. & Mrs. Smith season 2 will handle the new story.

20 Doctor Foster (2015-2017)

A Woman Uncovers Dark Secrets About Her Husband

Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Doctor Foster Doctor Foster follows the story of Dr. Gemma Foster, a talented and successful family doctor whose life unravels when she suspects her husband of infidelity. As she delves deeper into uncovering the truth, her actions lead to increasingly complex and suspenseful consequences. The series stars Suranne Jones in the titular role and explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and the search for justice. Cast Suranne Jones , Bertie Carvel , Jodie Comer Tom Taylor , Adam James , Victoria Hamilton , Robert Pugh Release Date September 9, 2015 Seasons 2 Creator(s) Mike Bartlett

While Dr. Foster is a show that deals with older characters compared to the young college students in Tell Me Lies, both shows take a look at the repercussions of a woman learning that her partner is not to be trusted. Suranne Jones leads the series as the titular Dr. Foster, a married woman who begins to suspect that her husband is having an affair, destroying the ideal existence she felt she was living in.

Like Tell Me Lies, the affair is only the beginning of much bigger secrets. Foster digs deeper into her husband's life to discover more and more she never knew. It is a gripping look at someone coming to terms with the fact that they never truly knew the person they were in love with. Seeing Lucy's heartbreak in Tell Me Lies, Dr. Foster presents another intense exploration of the fallout from such a devastating betrayal.

19 Conversations With Friends (2022)

Two Couples Become Intertwined

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Conversations with Friends Conversations With Friends is a TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel that explores the intricate dynamics between two college students, Frances and Bobbi, and a married couple, Nick and Melissa. Their relationships evolve, intersect, and challenge their perceptions of love and friendship. Starring Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn, and Jemima Kirke, the series delves into the complexities of modern relationships and personal identity. Where to Watch stream

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Like Tell Me Lies, Conversations with Friends is based on a best-selling novel, this one from Irish author Sally Rooney. The series focuses on two friends named Frances and Bobby who become drawn to an older married couple, Nick and Melissa. What starts as friendly interactions develops into something more when Bobby and Melissa begin flirting while Frances and Nick embark on a passionate affair.

Where the series feels most similar to Tell Me Lies is in the relationship between Frances and Nick.

Where the series feels most similar to Tell Me Lies is in the relationship between Frances and Nick. It becomes an intense attraction, with Frances discovering new aspects about herself through her connection to Nick. However, she soon discovers that he might not be as committed as she is and may not have been honest with her about the things that led to them getting together. While Tell Me Lies is more scandalous and sexy, Conversations with Friends feels like an intense drama about such a relationship.

18 The Sex Lives Of College Girls (2021-)

Young Women Discover Themselves In College

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 5/10 The Sex Lives of College Girls This comedy-drama series follows four diverse college roommates navigating life at New England's prestigious Essex College. As they experience newfound independence, they encounter personal and academic challenges. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the series captures the complexities and humor of self-discovery and campus life. Cast Pauline Chalamet , Amrit Kaur , Alyah Chanelle Scott , Renika Williams , Christopher Meyer , Ilia Isorelýs Paulino , Reneé Rapp , Mekki Leeper , Betti , Lauren Spencer , Sierra Katow , Isabella Roland , Gracie Lawrence , Mia Rodgers , Midori Francis , Gavin Leatherwood , Cheyenne Perez , Mitchell Slaggert , Conor Donnally , Scott Lipman , Maya Rose , Charlie Hall , Rob Huebel , James Morosini , Sherri Shepherd , Amanda Ripley Release Date November 18, 2021 Seasons 3 Creator(s) Mindy Kaling , Justin Noble Expand

The college setting of Tell Me Lies is an intriguing one as it focuses on young people at a time in their lives when they are discovering themselves, living with a sense of independence for the first time, and exploring their sexuality in exciting ways. The Sex Lives of College Girls is another series that is set in this world, albeit one that takes a much more comedic approach to the story.

The series follows a group of young women going through this important moment in their lives with all the fun and struggles that come with it. There are some hilarious antics and funny observations made about the dynamics of young people in such an environment. However, while it is a very funny show, it also shows these characters going through complicated relationships, making poor decisions, and discovering new aspects of their sexuality, all things Tell Me Lies touches on.

17 Sex Education (2019-2023)

High School Students Explore The Complexities Of Sexuality

Another series that takes a more comedic approach to young relationships, similar to Tell Me Lies is Sex Education. The Netflix series begins with the story of a young man named Otis who teams up with his rebellious classmate Maeve to offer sex therapy services to the other confused and frustrated kids in their school. From there, the show evolves into a poignant, profound, and honest exploration of sex and relationships, not just among young people but lovers of all kinds.

Tell Me Lies deals a lot with the complexities of a sexual relationship, troubled and even toxic relationships, and characters dealing with their own secrets. There are all things that Sex Education explores in any given episode while also being charming and funny with a strong cast of characters. Though it is raunchy and graphic, it is also one of the most insightful shows about sex that speaks to a lot of complicated aspects of sexuality.

16 Sex/Life (2021-2023)

A Woman Looks Back On Her Past Life And Passionate Affairs

Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Sex/Life Sex/Life is a drama series focused on the complex dynamics of a love triangle between a woman, her husband, and her past. Starring Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel, and Adam Demos, the show explores themes of desire, memory, and personal identity as it delves into the protagonist's conflicting emotional and sexual relationships. The series navigates the tension between domestic life and unfulfilled passions. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Cast Mike Vogel , Margaret Odette , Sarah Shahi , Adam Demos Release Date June 25, 2021 Seasons 2 Number of Episodes 16

Sex/Life is another series that deals with older characters than those in Tell Me Lies, but has the same sexy feel, intense relationships, and dangerous drama. The series follows Billie, a middle-aged mother who begins looking back on her wilder years before she was married and with kids. When an old flame comes back into her life, Billie's fantasies about what used to be threaten to destroy the happy life that she has built.

Billie makes for an equally compelling and complicated protagonist as Lucy in Tell Me Lies.

Like Tell Me Lies, Sex/Life takes a look at the compelling pull people can have on a relationship that they know is trouble for them. Billie makes for an equally compelling and complicated protagonist as Lucy in Tell Me Lies. They are people who make mistakes and are sometimes pulled in the wrong direction by passion, but they are also relatable in their dilemmas.

15 You (2018-Present)

Joe Goldberg Has A Lot Of Similarities With You's Stephen

You Release Date September 9, 2018 Cast Elizabeth Lail , Michaela McManus , Ambyr Childers , Victoria Pedretti , Luca Padovan , Scott Speedman , Travis Van Winkle , Penn Badgley , Jenna Ortega , Shay Mitchell Seasons 4

Much of Tell Me Lies focuses on Lucy's unhealthy obsession with the irresistible charmer, Stephen, which slowly evolves into a healthier bond over time. In terms of shows like Tell Me Lies, one can't help but think of Netflix's You, in which Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) also plays a handsome charmer with a dangerous side who uses his disarming personality to insinuate himself into the lives of others.

As Joe fuels his unhealthy obsession by pouring over his desired females' social media and online lives, he eventually meets a cunning match in Love Quinn, further complicating his psychological state. Both You and Tell Me Lies get to the heart of romantic infatuation, infidelity, and the aching ramifications that can result from such if those involved in such toxic relationships cannot find the strength to break the cycle.

Related You Season 5: Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know You season 5 will be Joe Goldberg's final outing. Will the charismatic killer have to answer for his crimes in the hit Netflix thriller show?

14 The Affair (2014-2019)

The Affair Won The 2015 Golden Globe For Best TV Drama

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The Affair Release Date October 12, 2014 Cast Dominic West , Ruth Wilson Maura Tierney , Joshua Jackson , Julia Goldani Telles , Josh Stamberg , Catalina Sandino Moreno , Omar Metwally , Irène Jacob , Sanaa Lathan , Anna Paquin Seasons 5

Much of Tell Me Lies also focuses on the long-term romantic affair between Lucy and Stephen. No better show took the premise of marital infidelity to such rivetingly satisfying lengths as the highly revered Showtime series The Affair, named Best TV Drama at the 2015 Golden Globes. The series concerns the intimate extramarital bond between novelist Noah (Dominic West) and waitress Alison (Ruth Wilson) and the immense feelings of isolation, regret, grief, and even love they feel for each other while grappling with the lasting consequences that will forever alter their lives.

What is interesting about the series is that it tells the story from various perspectives, showing how the truth can get muddled depending on who is presenting it. It causes questions about who is being sincere and who has a darker side. With top-tier acting and sobering psychological exploration of human desire, The Affair is a must-see for fans of Tell Me Lies.

13 Big Little Lies (2017-Present)

The Max Series Has An All-Star Cast Including Meryl Streep

Winner of 8 Primetime Emmys, HBO's extremely beloved original series Big Little Lies also revolves around the doomed toxic marriage between Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and Perry (Alexander Skarsgård) and the violent domestic abuse that results when she hasn't the agency to fight back. Until Grace confides in her closest friends, she is trapped in her misery despite living a lavish life of extreme wealth, leading to a shockingly irreparable conclusion.

An important tale of IPV studded by some of the finest actors around, including Kidman, Skarsgård, Meryl Streep, and many others, the first season of Big Little Lies is a perfect companion piece to Tell Me Lies as both shows explore the psychological effect keeping deep secrets can have and how unchecked human desire can lead to one's downfall. Following a long delay, a third season of Big Little Lies is reportedly on the way.

12 Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)

A Series About The Secrets Kept By Four Teenage Girls

Pretty Little Liars Release Date June 8, 2010 Cast Troian Bellisario , Ashley Benson , Holly Marie Combs , Lucy Hale , Bianca Lawson , Laura Leighton , Chad Lowe , Shay Mitchell , Nia Peeples , Ian Harding Seasons 7

Perhaps a tad campier and aimed at a slightly younger audience than Tell Me Lies, Pretty Little Liars also revolves around a mysterious stalker (or group of stalkers) who threatens to expose the darkest secrets held by a quartet of female teenagers. While played as more of a mystery than outright romance with it sometimes leaning into thriller territory, there's plenty of thematic overlap between the hit Freeform series and Tell Me Lies.

As the four girls work to keep their secrets from being exposed and discover who the mysterious stalker named "A" is, toxic teenage relationships abound, such as the forbidden love affair between underage Aria and her high school teacher Ezra. Sure, Pretty Little Liars is a silly teen show, but it mines a very similar subject as Tell Me Lies and has more fun doing it.

11 You're The Worst (2014-2019)

A More Comedic Approach To The Toxic Relationship Narrative

While the acclaimed FX original show takes a decidedly dark comedic approach, You're The Worst also traces the long-term effects of a toxic relationship in a protracted way very similar to Tell Me Lies. The drama concerns Gretchen (Aya Cash) and Jimmy (Chris Geere), a self-sabotaging couple who do everything in their power to stay involved in a doomed romance.

Hailed for its rich characterizations, sharp wit, and anti-romantic-comedy formula, You're The Worst manages to balance deep issues with a deft comedic touch to become one of the most memorable TV dramedies on record. An unflinching portrait of modern romance, Tell Me Lies and You're The Worst belong together while also adding a nice mixture of a romantic drama and a dark comedy to give fans a variety of vibes. Tell Me Lies can lack comedic elements, and You're the Worst is an ideal remedy for that.

10 Scandal (2012-2018)

A Political Take On Affairs & Life-Ruining Secrets

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Scandal Release Date May 4, 2012 Cast Kerry Washington , Tony Goldwyn , Scott Foley Seasons 7 Network ABC

From the mind of Shonda Rimes (Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder), Scandal is another hit show from the television icon. It traces the personal and professional life of Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), a communications officer for the White House who opens her crisis management firm to become Washington's top fixer. While Pope has experience covering up the marital affairs of top politicians, things get hairy when she begins an affair.

The way Pope handles her extramarital affair with Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) on the show is arguably more admirable than Lucy in Tell Me Lies, but both shows do a good job of justifying each's decisions without judging their character writ large, nor letting them off the hook for their actions. Another gripping drama that bends into psychological thriller territory, Scandal is not to be missed.

9 A Teacher (2020)

A School-Based Series About An Affair Between A Student & A Teacher

The moral underpinnings found in Tell Me Lies share a lot in common with A Teacher, Hulu's acclaimed original miniseries about the toxic predatory dynamic between Claire Wilson (Kate Mara), and her underage high school student Eric Walker (Nick Robinson), and how their illicit affair leads to lasting effects on both. It ventures into the unsettling and intense stories of such relationships that can happen with this power dynamic.

Like Stephen in Tell Me Lies, Claire uses her position of power as a form of sinister seduction to psychotically ensnare Eric and implicate him in her own immoral crime. It's the mutual collaboration between both couples that perpetuates the affairs, making this one of the best shows like Tell Me Lies, where the shows do their best to explore the complicated nature of each character's life-altering decision.

8 Big Love (2006-2011)

A Series That Explores Mormon Polygamy

A daring show ahead of its time and one of the best shows like Tell Me Lies, HBO's Mormon polygamy drama Big Love follows Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), a Utah handyman who happens to be married to three wives who all live together under one roof. While it may not seem to have much in common with Tell Me Lies, the entire series is about keeping the family together despite the frayed and fey romances.

What makes Big Love so interesting is the consensual nature of Bill's so-called infidelity, as he constantly favors one wife over another, leading to their psychological unease as the years go by. Dark secrets, white lies, and half-truths abound in the household as Bill and the family do their best to live happily, making Big Love one of the most fascinating domestic dramas on record.

7 Behind Her Eyes (2021)

A Psychological Drama With A Hint Of Supernatural

Behind Her Eyes Release Date February 17, 2021 Cast Georgie Glen , Simona Brown , Roshan Seth , Tom Bateman , Nichola Burley , Eve Hewson , Tyler Howitt , Robert Aramayo , Nila Aalia Seasons 1 Network Netflix

While it flirts with the supernatural, Behind Her Eyes follows Louise (Simona Brown) and her psychological state as she begins an illicit affair with her married boss David (Tom Bateman). However, Louise ends up forging a strange relationship with his wife, Adele (Eve Hewson), and the resulting drama makes Behind Her Eyes one of the best shows like Tell Me Lies. Steamy and irresistibly melodramatic, it's another ideal show to watch alongside Tell Me Lies.

While Tell Me Lies has richer character development, the unpredictable twists and turns will keep viewers engaged in Behind Her Eyes from the jump. Tell Me Lies and Behind Her Eyes may be taking things to different extremes, but both shows convincingly explore the nature of infidelity, romantic obsession, and how one small decision can have a gargantuan ripple effect across several lives.

6 Roadkill (2020)

A Four-Part Drama Featuring A Career-Best Performance From Hugh Laurie

Roadkill is a four-part British miniseries that concerns the personal and professional fallout of career politician Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie) once his extramarital affair is made public by a female inmate, and subsequently one of the best shows like Tell Me Lies. Similar to Tell Me Lies, Roadkill is an eye-opening exam of how one lapse in judgment can lead to a lifetime of pain.

Armed with a towering performance by Laurie as a man torn between the love for his family and his craven political ambitions, Roadkill goes one step further than Tell Me Lies by showing how infidelity perpetrated by a beloved public figure can lead to domestic as well as national unrest. Laurie makes for a captivating and complex protagonist whose fall from grace can be seen as mirroring a number of other real-world figures.