INDIANAPOLIS — Bingeworthy television at its finest, "Tell Me Lies" is back for its highly anticipated second season two years after the first season was released.
The first season introduces college freshman Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and junior Stephen (Jackson White) as their relationship quickly turns toxic and affects everyone around them.
"We're back at school, and we left off at kind of a dark place for everyone, and we're just seeing how that unfolds over the next school year," said Spencer House, who plays Wrigley, Stephen's best friend and ex-boyfriend of Pippa (Sonia Mena).
A new addition to the second season is Thomas Doherty ("Gossip Girl," "Descendants 2"), who plays Leo, a college student returning from studying abroad the previous semester and a potential love interest for Lucy.
"I read the script and I read some of the scenes, and I saw a lot of my younger self in Leo, so that was really cool – and very cathartic at times – to be able to delve into this character," Doherty said.
A second season brings the opportunity to explore more of the supporting characters' backstories and expanded storylines.
"It was fun to be able to engage more deeply in the relationship and explore the ins and outs and falling outs," said Branden Cook, who plays Evan, another of Stephen's best friends and boyfriend of Bree (Catherine Missal).
These supporting actors had nothing but positive things to say about the show's co-leads in Van Patten and White, who are dating in real life.
"The majority of my scenes are with Grace. She's an incredible actor. If I had to work with Grace for the rest of my career, I'd be a happy man," Doherty said. "She's a wonderful person, an amazing actor. Just being able to play with her was great."
"A lot of those scenes were tough scenes — for Evan at least. (Jackson's) a great scene partner, great times outside of 'action' and 'cut,'" Cook said. "We all get along really well. It's been cool to form friendships with people over these past few years. It's nice when you actually get along in real life, so it makes the job easier."
And although "Tell Me Lies" is incredibly captivating, it brings to light major issues on college campuses, such as rape, power struggles among young couples and the dangers of drinking alcohol and the decisions that follow.
"If you watch what they do and you do the opposite, I think you'll be OK," House said on a piece of advice for audiences watching the show.
It's still a mystery how many seasons we'll get of "Tell Me Lies," with the first season adapted from the book by Carola Lovering, and the second season taking place in 2008 but also showing major flashforward scenes in 2015.
"I guess we'll have to see. It's up to the genius mind of (showrunner) Meaghan Oppenheimer," Cook said.
New episodes of "Tell Me Lies" are released Wednesdays through Oct. 16 on Hulu.