# Lie to Me (2009)

> A brilliant deception researcher uses his reading of facial expressions and body language to help law enforcement uncover the truth, even as his own skill makes him a deceiver.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/7760

## Facts

- Seasons: 3
- Episodes: 48
- Episode runtime: 44 min
- Status: Canceled
- Genres: crime, drama
- Created by: Sam Baum
- Network: FOX
- Cast: Tim Roth, Kelli Williams, Monica Raymund, Brendan Hines, Hayley McFarland, Mekhi Phifer, Jennifer Beals, Scott Paulin
- TMDB rating: 8.0/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235099/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: sharp, intense, intimate, suspenseful, witty

## What critics say

Audiences rated Lie to Me as a positive, engaging procedural carried by Tim Roth's performance and the lie-detection premise.

## Synopsis

Lie to Me (2009-2011) is an American network crime drama created by Sam Baum for FOX. Tim Roth plays Dr. Cal Lightman, a brilliant deception researcher who reads facial micro-expressions, body language and vocal tone to determine when people are lying and why. He leads a small team of specialists, including Kelli Williams as Gillian Foster, Monica Raymund as Ria Torres and Brendan Hines as Eli Loker, who take on cases for law enforcement and government agencies. Mekhi Phifer joins as Ben Reynolds in later episodes, and Hayley McFarland plays Lightman's daughter Emily. The engine of each episode is a fresh investigation in which the team must break a suspect or witness through close reading of their unguarded reactions, while Lightman's own skill at manipulating people complicates his personal relationships and his trust in others. The series runs across three seasons and 48 episodes, a case of the week format with serialized threads in its character lives. Its tone is sharp, watchful and intimate, with a steady current of moral unease. Fans of The Mentalist, Monk and Bones will find resonance in its blend of sleuthing, character eccentricity and clever deduction.

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