One of the first Apple TV+ original series that premiered shortly after the streaming service's launch was the crime thriller Truth Be Told. The series is created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman and starring Octavia Spencer, with both women also serving as executive producers. While the first season featured an all-star cast and impressive production values, critics were largely dismissive of the new series failing to stand apart from its counterparts. Nearly two full years later, Truth Be Told has returned for its second season, providing a more gripping and personal story than its preceding season, but with some of its bad habits still evident.
Following the Chuck Burnham murder mystery from Season 1, true crime podcaster and former investigative reporter Poppy Parnell has decided to take some time to mentally recuperate. This respite proves to be abruptly short-lived when Poppy's childhood friend Micah Keith, who has become a media mogul, reenters Poppy's life with a bloody tragedy that strikes close to home. As Poppy and her family face trials and tribulations, the mystery behind what happened to Micah leads Poppy on a dark path full of twists and turns.
The first season of Truth Be Told worked best when it showed Poppy, the self-assured investigator, balancing family drama with the dangerous cases that she examined. Given Poppy's lifelong connection to Micah, portrayed by main cast newcomer Kate Hudson, this makes the mystery Poppy is facing this time around much more personal and the show is all the better for it. Much of the returning cast gets more room to grow into their roles and the overall production remains top-shelf, with the cinematography and art design noticeably improved from the drabber, more unassuming presentation in Season 1.
Where Truth Be Told Season 2 falters is in its overconfidence with its execution. From extended monologues to sequences staged like arthouse music videos, there is a definite level of pretension throughout the season -- especially in moments that bookend episodes for dramatic emphasis. Like Spencer, Hudson performs best when her character is out of her element; but, those moments, at least early on, are few and far in between as she cooly moves through scenes. Hudson's detachment puts distance between the proceedings, especially as the show tries to keep the audience invested in the mystery unfolding before their eyes.
Truth Be Told is definitely taking significant steps in the right direction, but it's still not quite living up to the full potential of its premise and impressive ensemble cast. The overall mystery that Poppy is investigating this time around is inherently more intriguing than Season 1's, but, with its elegiac tone and staging, the audience still isn't wholly riveted by the show's twists. Poppy Parnell may be closer to bloody tragedy than ever, but the characters could be put out of their element a little more to shake up the proceedings and show that Truth Be Told is willing to get its hands dirty.
Created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Truth Be Told Season 2 is available to stream on Apple TV+, with new episodes premiering Fridays.