X
- 2019
- TV-MA
- Apple TV+
- 2019
- TV-MA
- Apple TV+
Summary New evidence causes true crime podcast host Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) to take another look into the conviction of Warren Cave (Aaron Paul), whose case made her famous in this drama based on Kathleen Barber's true-crime novel Are You Sleeping from Justified writer Nichelle Tramble Spellman.
- 2019
- TV-MA
- Apple TV+
- 2019
- TV-MA
- Apple TV+
Truth Be Told (2019)
Season 1 Premiere: Dec 6, 2019
46
5.2
Summary New evidence causes true crime podcast host Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) to take another look into the conviction of Warren Cave (Aaron Paul), whose case made her famous in this drama based on Kathleen Barber's true-crime novel Are You Sleeping from Justified writer Nichelle Tramble Spellman.
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
46
24% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
53% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
24% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
46
24% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
53% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
24% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Spencer creates a truly formidable foundation around which everything revolves. Not only ensuring that this series rarely drifts into cliché, but also stays true in its dramatic exploration of sex trafficking full stop.
There is, empirically, way too much going on. But Truth Be Told is romp, albeit kind of a gory one. The story is ridiculous, and gloriously so. ... It can be a bit much, but the show earns it.
At a minimum, Truth Be Told is an entertaining watch that does hook the viewer. But it’s not likely to be the series that turns around the otherwise rocky deployment of Apple TV+ offerings. Truth be told, the podcast within the show might’ve been the better medium for this campy tale of thwarted redemption.
Sluggish. ... [Spencer is] miscast and overly serene. ... You know you're in trouble when the least fascinating character is the one driving the action. [9-22 Dec 2019, p.13]
The cast does the best it can with thin characters; Elizabeth Perkins brings engaging pathos to Warren’s cancer-stricken mom Melanie. Sadly, Truth Be Told doesn’t seem to have much to say on their plight that superior predecessors including Netflix’s hilariously sophomoric true-crime mockumentary American Vandal haven’t already covered. ... It marks another misstep for Apple TV+ because it’s so bland and forgettable.
The series lacks the tact or nuance to investigate the idea of inherent evil, and what’s left is a rather muddled whodunit in which the answer ceases to be very interesting.
Its most egregious sin may be wasting an incredibly talented cast, who all get sucked into the quicksand of hackneyed dialogue and clichéd plotting. There’s not a single moment in the first three episodes that feels true or even interesting as a soap opera. The truth is that it’s one of the worst shows of the year on any network.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 26 User Ratings
5.2
46% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
23% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
31% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 26 User Ratings
5.2
46% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
23% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
31% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company:
- Apple Studios
- Chernin Entertainment
- Endeavor Content
- Hello Sunshine
- Orit Entertainment
Initial Release Date: Dec 6, 2019
Number of seasons: 3 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Communicator Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Telly Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
