

6.844 minSeason 3 • Episode 13
LatestFoster’s former patient, one of the founders of a social-networking app, comes to the Lightman Group when she thinks she’s being squeezed out by her partner. When she turns up dead a short time later, Lightman fights against the prevailing evidence to expose the truth behind the murder.
The world's leading deception researcher, Dr. Cal Lightman, studies facial expression, body language and tone of voice to determine when a person is lying and why, which helps law enforcement and government agencies uncover the truth. But his skills also make it easier for him to deceive others.
Acting
Tim Roth's restless intelligence makes arrogance weirdly vulnerable.
Writing
Science-based liespotting that aged better than most CSI knockoffs.
Production
Those flashback expression breakdowns? Pure 2009 cable drama ASMR.
Creator
Sam Baum
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based loosely on Paul Ekman's actual research— the real scientist consulted early, then distanced himself as the show took creative liberties with his science.
Fox marketed this as the successor to House, even copying the 'misanthropic expert with younger female boss' formula beat-for-beat. The cancellation after a cliffhanger remains a sore spot for the small but devoted fanbase.