What the Duck, Oliver Knight?

Spoiler Alert:

This post contains spoilers for Tell Me Lies, Season 2. Proceed with caution (and possibly a glass of wine).

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Okay… so I went into this season of Tell Me Lies knowing full well what I was signing up for. Toxic relationships? Check. Questionable decisions? Check. Messy emotional entanglements in a college friend group? Double check.

But let’s be honest—I really just wanted to watch Tom Ellis act again.

Between Miranda and Lucifer, I’ve adored this man’s screen presence for years. So when I saw he was cast in a juicy, morally-gray role, I was like… eff it. I’m in.

And his character’s storyline is only a subplot to an even larger plot.

What’s more? One of the main showrunners of the series is none other than Tom’s radiant wife, Meaghan Oppenheimer. And let me tell you, she meticulously crafted this dashingly deplorable man—and her husband? A charmingly charismatic and wildly talented actor? He. Facking. Delivered. That’s the job of an actor, after all: to make you believe the character they’re playing. To make you hate to love, love to hate, or simply just enjoy the ride.

And look, this season aired in September of 2024. I didn’t watch it until April 2025. I gave myself time to be intentional about whether I wanted to dive into the chaos. But eventually, curiosity won. And whew… what a ride.

Why I Usually Don’t Watch Shows Like This

Normally, I avoid drama-heavy, emotionally reckless TV like the plague. It’s not that I’m above it—I just don’t enjoy marinating in chaos unless it’s somehow cathartic or symbolic. But Tell Me Lies pulled me in with its psychological undercurrents and raw performances, especially around the characters of Stephen and Lucy, and my personal favorites, Pippa and Wrigley. I wasn’t expecting it to hit as hard as it did.

Still, my Manifestation Girlie self likes intentional consumption. So if I’m watching people implode on screen, I better be learning something—or at least watching Tom Ellis deliver lines like his voice is made of bourbon and secrets.

Because, let’s be honest with ourselves here: Respectfully, it is. And he’s a Scorpio. You know they’re a little dangerous in the best way. (I would know; I’m one, too, bestie.) 😉

The Power of Professor Oliver Knight

Tom Ellis as Oliver Knight is a perfect storm of suave, manipulative, emotionally unavailable, and weirdly magnetic. He's that one professor you know you shouldn't flirt with but you end up writing poetry about anyway. Bree sure did.

I mean… that birthday moment with the cigarette? Iconic setup. The pacing, the eye contact, the tension—it was giving every forbidden fantasy ever. But let’s not forget: Bree is nineteen, and Oliver is forty-five. And married. MARRIED. I repeat: Sir, go home!

And then? “I love you” post-laundry room tryst during a Christmas party. Sir, what??? Excuse me?

Breaking Down the Madness

Oliver isn’t 100% deplorable.

Now, hold up—don’t go getting your panties in a twist yet (even though I know you did when you saw that ass on screen. Yes, Tom Ellis shows ass. If you’ve seen Lucifer from seasons 4–6, you’re no stranger to it, though 😉).

I’m not about to defend Oliver Knight here, but—let’s break down the character.

He’s smart. Charming. Occasionally tender. But also deeply manipulative, emotionally unavailable, and unable to take real accountability. The whole “open relationship” angle felt more like a blurry boundary than an actual agreement. Like… be serious, man.

But that’s what made the character compelling. He wasn’t written to be a total villain; he was written to be real. And messy. And flawed. Which, again, Tom played the hell out of.

Why It’s Still Worth Watching

This entire storyline is a masterclass in conscious consumption. As a Manifestation Girlie, I can watch this show, adore Tom’s acting, be entertained by the mess, and still hold my values around aligned love and sacred partnership.

I don’t regret watching it—I actually really enjoyed it in a “WTF is happening” kind of way.

But let this be my official moment of screaming into the void:

WHAT THE DUCK, OLIVER KNIGHT.

Enjoyed the chaos? Me too.

If this made you laugh, rage, or feel extremely seen, hit that tip button, share it with your fellow drama-loving baddies, or dive into more of my work here on Vocal. You’ll find older film reviews (Midsommar, Renfield, Where the Crawdads Sing), plenty of poetry, a few short stories, and articles centered on manifestation and conscious creation.

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