‘Tell Me Lies’: Is Stephen Trying to Get Revenge Against… Lydia? New Fan Theory
What To Know
- Tell Me Lies fans consistently question Stephen’s motives for dating Lucy’s ex-friend, Lydia.
- While many think Stephen wants revenge on Lucy, other theories suggest that Stephen could be using Lydia.
- Tell Me Lies Season 3 premieres on January 13, 2026.
[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Seasons 1 and 2 of Tell Me Lies.]
After two seasons of deception, toxicity, and overall mess, Tell Me Lies has left viewers with one resounding question: Why is Stephen (Jackson White) dating Lydia (Natalee Linez) in 2015? Now, fans believe they have finally found the answer.
It’s been a hot second since Tell Me Lies Season 2 ended, so here’s a little recap — just in case. At the end of Season 1, Tell Me Lies revealed that Lucy’s (Grace Van Patten) toxic college ex, Stephen, is engaged to Lydia, her high school best friend. This relationship takes place during the 2015 portion of the timeline, when the entire Baird friend group reunites at Bree (Catherine Missal) and Evan’s (Branden Cook) wedding. At the end of Season 1, Lucy also hooks up with Evan during their college years, which Evan reveals to Stephen at the end of Season 2.
Season 2 features Stephen getting introduced to Lydia during the college portion of the timeline at a Halloween party. While she hates Stephen by proxy at the time, Lydia’s friendship with Lucy takes a turn when Lucy falsely claims that Lydia’s brother, Chris (Jacob Rodriguez), sexually assaulted her. In reality, Lucy’s friend Pippa (Sonia Mena) had confided in her that she was one of his victims. Of course, Lydia sides with her brother.
Everett Collection
On November 30, a Reddit User posted, “I have this weird feeling that the only reason he went after Lydia is that he wants to get back at Lucy for hooking up with Evan. I think he does things in a very tit for tat type of deal. I could be totally wrong, but I don’t think he truly loves Lydia, and that this is one big revenge plot he’s cooked up for himself.”
In the comments, multiple fans sounded off with their own theories, including speculation that Lydia could be in on the whole thing, trying to get revenge on Lucy as well. While some believe Stephen is using Lydia, others think their relationship may have started that way but has since developed into something more. One Reddit user wrote, “Lydia represents a lot of things that Steven wants in his life, sort of like [his ex] Diana [Alicia Crowder], they both come from wealthy status-oriented families with connections.”
Another user, who is undoubtedly a Stephen x Lucy truther, took Stephen’s relationship with Lydia in a completely different direction. They wrote, “Stephen thinks Lydia’s brother did *thatttt to Lucy. Stephen is [with] Lydia to get revenge on Chris eventually.” After all, Stephen did tell Lucy when they were in college, “You loved me even though you knew the worst things about me, and I loved you knowing the worst of you.” We know Stephen loves a long con, and using Lydia to get back at her brother because he thinks Chris wronged the love of his life is not beneath him.
Do you believe any of these theories? Comment on why you think Stephen is dating Lydia below.
Tell Me Lies, Season 3, January 13, 2026, Hulu & Disney+
Tell Me Lies, Seasons 1-2, Streaming Now, Hulu & Disney+
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network‘s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
