''Truth Be Told'' is an American

legal Law is a set of rules that are created and are law enforcement, enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a Socia ...

crime In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a State (polity), state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definiti ...

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television series. The series was created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman for

Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is an American subscription over-the-top streaming service owned by Apple. The service launched on November 1, 2019, and it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service w ...

and is based on Kathleen Barber's 2017

debut novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to pu ...

''Are You Sleeping''. Spellman also acts as executive producer and writes for the show. Unlike the book, Poppy Parnell (

Octavia Spencer Octavia Lenora Spencer (born May 25, 1970) is an American actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for two Primetime Emmy ...

) plays the main role, as a

podcaster A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. Typically, a podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files that users can download to a personal device or stream to listen to at a time of their ...

who revisits the case that made her famous with the hope of finally getting to the truth. The series premiered on December 6, 2019. The soundtrack, composed by

John Paesano John Paesano (born July 2, 1977) is an American composer working primarily in film, television, and video games. He is known for collaborating with director Wes Ball on the ''Maze Runner'' film trilogy and ''Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' ...

, was released by

Lakeshore Records Lakeshore Village Entertainment, LLC was an American independent film production, finance, and former international sales and distribution company founded in 1994 by Tom Rosenberg and Ted Tannebaum. Lakeshore Entertainment is headquartered in Bev ...

on the same day. New York's Paley Center also aired episodes of the show. The second season began in August 2021. In December 2021, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on January 20, 2023 and concluded on March 24, 2023. In April 2023, the series was canceled after three seasons.

Premise

In season 1, Oakland journalist Poppy Parnell restarts the

true crime True crime is a genre of non-fiction work in which an author examines a crime, including detailing the actions of people associated with and affected by the crime, and investigating the perpetrator's Motive (law), motives. True crime works often ...

podcast that made her famous and reopens the 1999 murder case of Stanford professor Chuck Buhrman after new evidence suggests Warren Cave, the man she helped put behind bars, was wrongly convicted. In season 2, Poppy investigates the murder of a controversial filmmaker at the request of his wife Micah, an equally controversial wellness guru whose friendship with Poppy compromises her judgment. In season 3, Poppy works with a high school principal to investigate the disappearances of several young black girls in Oakland whose cases lack mainstream media attention. Meanwhile, a mayoral candidate uses a white girl's disappearance for his campaign.

Cast and characters

Main

as Poppy Parnell, an investigative reporter behind a hit true-crime podcast. She uses the last name "Scoville" in Season 3, in which she learns she is, in actuality, the illegitimate daughter of Alexander Michael Troy and the late Elinor Parnell. Desiree and Cydie are her maternal half-sisters. *

Aaron Paul Aaron Paul (born Aaron Paul Sturtevant; August 27, 1979) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013), for which he won several awards, including three Primetime Emmy ...

as Warren Cave (season 1), a convicted murderer and subject of Poppy's podcasts ** Hunter Doohan as young Warren Cave (season 1) *

Lizzy Caplan Elizabeth Anne Caplan (born June 30, 1982) is an American actress. Her performances as Virginia E. Johnson in the Showtime series '' Masters of Sex'' (2013–2016) and as Libby Epstein in FX on Hulu's '' Fleishman Is in Trouble'' (2022) have e ...

as Josie and Lanie Buhrman (season 1), identical twin sisters whose father was allegedly murdered by Warren Cave * Elizabeth Perkins as Melanie Cave (season 1), Warren's mother who has been afflicted with

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...

. *

Michael Beach Michael Anthony Beach (born October 30, 1963) is an American actor. He has appeared in the films '' Lean on Me'' (1989), ''One False Move'' (1992), ''Short Cuts'' (1993), ''Waiting to Exhale'' (1995), ''A Family Thing'' (1996), ''Soul Food'' (19 ...

as Ingram Rhoades (season 1 - 2), Poppy's husband *

Mekhi Phifer Mekhi Phifer ( ; born December 29, 1974) is an American actor. Beginning his career in the mid-1990s, Phifer was known for a few notable roles in films including ''Clockers (film), Clockers'', ''Soul Food (film), Soul Food'', ''High School High' ...

as Markus Killebrew, a former detective and long time friend of Poppy * Merle Dandridge as Zarina Killebrew, Markus' wife *

Tracie Thoms Tracie Thoms is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles in ''Rent'', ''Cold Case'', '' The Devil Wears Prada'', ''Death Proof'', the Fox television series '' Wonderfalls''; as of 2018 she has been a recurring cast member of th ...

as Desiree Scoville, Poppy's younger maternal half-sister *

Haneefah Wood Haneefah Wood is an American actress. She is known for her role as Candace De La Brix on ''Nurse Jackie'', Vickie/Rafik's Sister in '' Freedomland'', Blanche on '' Grease Live!'', and Wilma Howell on '' Schooled'' and '' The Goldbergs''. Career ...

as Cydie Scoville, Poppy's youngest maternal half-sister *

Ron Cephas Jones Ron Cephas Jones (; January 8, 1957 – August 19, 2023) was an American actor, best known for his role as William Hill in the drama series ''This Is Us'' (2016–2022), which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award; along with four consecutive ...

as Leander "Shreve" Scoville, Poppy's father, who had confronted her biological father Alexander Michael Troy when his wife Elinor had left him for the former when Poppy was four years old. *

Kate Hudson Kate Garry Hudson (born April 19, 1979) is an American actress and singer. Born to singer Bill Hudson (singer), Bill Hudson and actress Goldie Hawn, Hudson made her film debut in the 1998 drama ''Desert Blue'', which was followed by supporting ...

as Micah Keith (season 2), Poppy's childhood friend and famous writer * David Lyons as Inspector Aames (season 2 - 3), the inspector assigned to investigate Micah's husband's death *

Katherine LaNasa Katherine LaNasa (born December 1, 1966) is an American actress. She starred in films ''Jayne Mansfield's Car'', '' The Campaign'', and ''The Frozen Ground''. On television, LaNasa has had a leading roles in the sitcom '' Three Sisters'' (2001� ...

as Noa Havilland (season 2; recurring season 1; guest season 3), the producer of Poppy's podcast *

Tami Roman Tamisha Akbar Youngblood (Birth name#Maiden and married names, née Akbar; born April 17, 1970), known professionally as Tami Roman, is an American television personality, model, actress, singer, businesswoman and producer. She first gained fam ...

as Lillian "Lily" Scoville (season 2 - 3; recurring season 1), Poppy's stepmother *

Gabrielle Union Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade ( Union; born October 29, 1972) is an American actress. Her career began in the 1990s, when she made dozens of appearances on television sitcoms, prior to landing supporting roles in 1999 teen films '' She's All That ...

as Eva Pierre (season 3), a school principal * Mychala Faith Lee as Trini Killebrew (season 3; recurring season 2), Markus' daughter * Rico E. Anderson as Herbie, manages the biker bar, 'The Knock'.

Recurring

Nic Bishop Nicholas Bishop (born 19 September 1973), commonly credited as Nic Bishop, is an English-born Australian actor. He is best known for his television roles as Detective Peter Baker on the soap opera ''Home and Away'' (2004–07) and as Peter Du ...

as Chuck Buhrman (season 1), Josie and Lanie's father * Annabella Sciorra as Erin Buhrman (season 1), Josie and Lanie's mother *

Molly Hagan Molly Hagan (born August 3, 1961) is an American actress. She co-starred in films ''Code of Silence'' (1985), '' Some Kind of Wonderful'' (1987), '' The Dentist'' (1996), ''Election'' (1999), and '' Sully'' (2016), and is also known for her roles ...

as Susan Carver (season 1), Josie and Lanie's aunt * Billy Miller as Alex Dunn (season 1), Lanie's husband * Everleigh McDonell as Ella Dunn (season 1), Lanie's daughter *

Brett Cullen Peter Brett Cullen (born August 26, 1956) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Dan Fixx in ''Falcon Crest'' (1986–1988), Sam Cain in '' The Young Riders'' (1989–1990), Governor Ray Sullivan in ''The West Wing'' (2005–2 ...

as Owen Cave (season 1), Warren's father * Lyndon Smith as Chandra Willets (season 1) * Michael Franklin as Young Lukather "Shreve" Scoville (season 1) *

Christopher Backus Christopher Backus is an American actor, director and screenwriter. Backus made his television debut in NBC's ''Will & Grace'', followed by landing roles in '' The O.C.'', ''Life on Mars'', ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,'' ''Sons of Anarc ...

as Holt Rollins (season 2), a mysterious man, linked to both Poppy and Micah Keith, who was the latter's lover. *

Alona Tal Alona Tal (, ; born ) is an Israeli actress and singer. She is known for her roles in ''Veronica Mars'' as cheerleader List of Veronica Mars characters#Meg Manning, Meg Manning, in ''Supernatural (American TV series), Supernatural'' as budding m ...

as Ivy Abbott (season 2), Micah Keith's right-hand woman *

Peter Gallagher Peter Killian Gallagher (born August 19, 1955) is an American actor. Since 1980, he has played roles in numerous Hollywood films. He is best known for starring as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series '' The O.C.'' from 2003 to 2007, and ...

as Andrew Finney (season 3), a man who is running for Mayor of Oakland * Ricardo Chavira as Vince (season 3)

Episodes

Season 1 (2019–20)

Season 2 (2021)

Season 3 (2023)

The titles are from a poem.

Production

Development

On January 3, 2018, Apple announced that it was developing a television series based on the novel ''Are You Sleeping'' by Kathleen Barber. The show was created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman who also wrote and executive produced the series as well. Other executive producers include

via her Orit Entertainment, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for their company Hello Sunshine, and

Peter Chernin Peter Chernin (born May 29, 1951) is an American film and television producer, businessman and investor. He is the chairman and CEO of The Chernin Group (TCG), which he founded in 2010. TCG manages, operates and invests in businesses in the media ...

Jenno Topping Jenno Topping is an American film producer. Films she has produced include '' Dr. Dolittle'' (1998), ''Charlie's Angels'' (2000), ''St. Vincent'' (2014), '' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'' (2016) and ''Hidden Figures'' (2016), which ...

and Kristen Campo for

Chernin Entertainment Chernin Entertainment is an American film and television production company owned by The North Road Company that is based in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on February 24, 2009 by producer and former media executive Peter Chernin, who is ...

. On May 2, 2018, Apple announced that they had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. On June 13, 2018, it was reported that

Anna Foerster Anna J. Foerster (born 1971) is a German-born American film and television cinematographer and director. She is best known for collaborations with director Roland Emmerich, working under different capacities on every film directed by him dating ...

would direct the series' first episode. A featurette from the series was released on November 26, 2019. On March 5, 2020, Apple renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on August 20, 2021. On December 7, 2021, Apple renewed the series for a third season which premiered on January 20, 2023. On April 24, 2023, Apple canceled the series after three seasons.

Casting

Simultaneously with reports of the series' development, it was confirmed that Octavia Spencer has been cast in the series' lead role. In June 2018, it was announced that

, Elizabeth Perkins,

, and

had joined the main cast. Caplan, Paul, and Perkins all reportedly signed one-year deals for the series. In July 2018, it was reported that

and Moon Bloodgood had joined the main cast and that

, Annabella Sciorra,

, Billy Miller,

, and Hunter Doohan would appear in recurring roles. In August 2018, it was announced that Lyndon Smith had joined the cast in a recurring capacity. Additionally, it was reported that Bloodgood had dropped out of the role of Cath Min after filming of the first four episodes had been completed. The role was expected to be recast and her already-filmed scenes to be reshot. On October 8, 2018, it was announced that

had been cast to replace Bloodgood, and her character Cath Min, in the newly devised recurring role of Noa Havilland. In October 2020, it was announced that Kate Hudson would be starring in the second season of ''Truth Be Told''. The next month, it was reported that Merle Dandridge, Jason O’Mara,

, David Lyons,

, Cranston Johnson,

Hale Appleman Hale Isaac Appleman is an American actor. He is known for playing Tobey Cobb in the 2007 film ''Teeth'' and Eliot in the television fantasy series '' The Magicians''. Early life Appleman was raised in Manhattan, New York. He spent four summers a ...

, Anthony Lee Medina and Mychala Lee has been cast for the second season of the series. On March 23, 2022,

was reportedly cast as a lead role in the third season. On April 5, 2022, it was announced that

Ana Ayora Ana C. Ayora (born July 8, 1983) is an American actress best known for her role as Nuria Soto in the 2013 film ''The Big Wedding'' and as Deputy Nina Cruz in the Cinemax original series ''Banshee''. She also appeared in the 2019 film '' Captain Ma ...

had joined the cast in the third season.

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced on June 25, 2018 in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

. Filming reportedly concluded on December 12, 2018. Production for the second season began in Los Angeles on October 26, 2020, after being briefly delayed due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. In February 2021,

Leimert Park Leimert Park (; ) is a neighborhood in the South Los Angeles region of Los Angeles, California. Developed in the 1920s as a mainly residential community, it features Spanish Colonial Revival homes and tree-lined streets. The Life Magazine/Leim ...

was planned to be a filming location for the second season but was delayed due to protesting against the filming. Filming moved to the Arts District in Los Angeles for the duration of April 2021 and wrapped by the end of the month. It was announced by Apple that third season has begun filming on April 15, 2022.

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

, the first season of the series has a score of 28%, based on 29 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "A twisty thriller that never quite comes together, ''Truth Be Told''s commitment to the true crime at its center is less interesting or engaging than the family drama orbiting in the periphery." On

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, it has a weighted average score of 46 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* – official site * {{Apple TV+ 2019 American television series debuts 2023 American television series endings 2010s American anthology television series 2010s American crime drama television series 2010s American legal television series 2020s American anthology television series 2020s American crime drama television series 2020s American legal television series American English-language television shows Apple TV+ original programming Television shows based on American novels Television series by Chernin Entertainment Works by Malcolm Spellman