Tell Me Lies is a TV show based on a book by Carola Lovering of the same name. It's about two people, Lucy and Stephen, who meet in college. Tell Me Lies started on Hulu in September 2022. It did well, so they made a second season. The new season came out on September 4, 2024.
For many reasons, Jackson White, who plays Stephen DeMarco, finds the series compelling. His favorite episode, Episode 5, also turned out to be the hardest to film. What made this episode stand out? His real-life mother, Katey Sagal, played his on-screen mom.
Who did Katey Sagal play in Tell Me Lies?
We are introduced to Katey Sagal's character, Norah. The real-life mum also plays Stephen's on-show mum. Stephen's character is played by White, who returns home for Christmas break.
Stephen is the middle child of three, raised by their single mom. The episode dives into their troubled relationship, showing how Norah manipulates and distorts reality to her advantage.
Katey Sagal's character Norah's storyline in Tell Me Lies
Throughout the episode, we see Norah using manipulation tactics on her children. She often twists reality and avoids taking responsibility for her actions. Instead, she uses her kids as scapegoats. This manipulation gives viewers a clear picture of how difficult life has been for Stephen under his mother's influence.
Norah's behavior makes it clear why Stephen is the way he is calculating, dishonest, and always trying to stay one step ahead of others. His actions and attitude towards the people around him reflect the complicated dynamics he grew up with, shaped by his mother’s manipulation.
As Norah, Sagal portrays a woman still hung up on her ex-husband's new relationship. Her bitterness spills over into her relationship with her children, especially Stephen. She becomes a key figure in the series, revealing more about Stephen's darker side.
The decision to cast Katey Sagal as Norah was not random. Meaghan Oppenheim, the showrunner, mentioned how her mother loved Sagal's role in Married with Children. When the idea came up for Sagal to play Norah, Oppenheim felt she had to ask Jackson White first.
Sagal agreed to the role without hesitation. She felt connected to the character and was excited about the challenge of playing a complex mother figure. After discussing it with Oppenheim, she was ready to dive into the role.
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The episode was emotionally draining for both Jackson White and Katey Sagal. They had to set aside their real-life closeness to explore a deeply dysfunctional mother-son relationship. This intensity translated well on screen, creating an episode that leaves a lasting impression.
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