Synopsis: Based on the novel by Kathleen Barber, “Truth Be Told” offers a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the consequences when the pursuit of justice is placed on a public stage. In season three, investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster Poppy Scoville (Octavia Spencer) frustrated by the lack of media attention for a young missing Black girl, teams with an unorthodox Principal (Gabrielle Union, in her return to series television,) to not only keep the victim’s names in the public eye, but also to chase down potential leads to their whereabouts at the hands of suspected sex traffickers. (Courtesy Apple TV+, 2021)
The Cast:
Octavia Spencer as Poppy Scoville
Gabrielle Union as Principal
Mekhi Phifer as Markus Killebrew
David Lyons as Inspector Aames
Ron Cephas Jones as Leander "Shreve" Scoville
Merle Dandridge
Tracie Thoms as Desiree Scoville
Haneefah Wood as as Cydie Scoville
Mychala Faith Lee
Tami Roman
Michael Beach as as Ingram Rhoades
Katherine LaNasa as as Noa Havilland
Aaron Paul as Warren Cave
Hunter Doohan as Young Warren Cave
Lizzy Caplan as Josie and Lanie Burhman
Elizabeth Perkins as Melanie Cave
Annabella Sciorra as Erin Buhrman
Kate Hudson as Micah Keith
Christopher Backus as Holt Redding
Alona Tal as Ivy Abbott
Andre Royo as Demetrius
Production Credits:
The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Apple TV+)
1-01 Monster--12/06/2019
While reviewing an old case, Poppy comes face-to-face with the man she put away.
Written by: Nichelle D. Tramble
Directed by: Mikkel Norgaard
1-02 Josie--12/06/2019
Markus drops a bombshell about a potential suspect's motive. Warren gets a visitor.
Written by: Nichelle D. Tramble
Directed by: Rosemary Rodriguez
1-03 Akedah--12/06/2019
Identifying a new suspect has unintended consequences in Poppy's personal life.
Written by: Chitra Elizabeth Sampath
Directed by: Sarah Pia Anderson
1-04 Family--12/13/2019
Poppy and Markus trace their prime suspect's movements on the night of the murder.
Written by: Davita Scarlett
Directed by: Mikkel Norgaard
1-05 Angel's Halo--12/20/2019
Poppy continues building her new case, while Warren faces repercussions for his actions.
Written by: Matt Johnson
Directed by: Tucker Gates
1-06 The Diary--12/27/2019
A devastated Poppy tries to walk away from the case, but it won't let her go.
Written by: Michael Kastelein
Directed by: Sarah Pia Anderson
1-07 Erin Buhrman--01/03/2020
Poppy zeroes in on her new suspect, and Warren makes a fateful decision.
Written by: Darla Lansu and Alexandra Salerno
Directed by: Loni Peristere
1-08 The Truth--01/10/2020
Poppy enlists an unlikely ally in her hunt. The events of Halloween 1999 are revealed.
Written by: Leonard Dick
Directed by: Mikkel Norgaard
Season Two Episode Guide (Apple TV+)
2-01 Other People's Tears Are Only Water--08/21/2021
Poppy attends an art exhibit for her friend, successful lifestyle guru Micah, but it ends in a shocking tragedy.
Written by: Nichelle D. Tramble
Directed by: Mikkel Norgaard
2-02 Ghosts At The Feast--08/27/2021
As she looks into the deaths, Poppy uncovers a massive secret. Shreve reveals a medical diagnosis to his family.
Written by: Rosemary Rodroguez
Directed by: Jamie Rosengard
2-03 If Wishes Were Horses--09/03/2021
Poppy learns there's more than meets the eye with Micah's assistant, Ramon. Micah grows distrustful of those closest to her.
Written by: Dawn Wilkinson
Directed by: Milla Bell-Hart
2-04 In Another Life-09/10/2021
The case takes a turn when another person close to Micah is found dead. Poppy and Ingram's marriage reaches a crossroads.
Written by: J.L. Tiggett
Directed by: Jet Wilkinson
2-05 If I Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry--09/17/2021
Coping with personal struggles, Poppy begins to question herself. Holt's old friend finds him. Poppy and Aames identify a new murder suspect.
Written by: Amanda Segel
Directed by: Nelson Cragg
2-06 All These Women--09/24/2021
Poppy and Markus search for a mysterious associate of Holt's. Memories of Poppy's childhood with Miss Shirley invade her thoughts.
Written by: Jeanine Daniels
Directed by: Ariel Kleiman
2-07 Lanterman-Petris-Short--10/01/2021
Rose tells Poppy about Micah's past. A protective Holt goes to extreme measures, with violent consequences.
Written by: Darla Lansu
Directed by: Fredrick E.O. Toye
2-08 The Untold Story--10/08/2021
Micah threatens to expose Poppy's dark secret. Markus makes a major decision.
Written by: Hilly Hicks Jr.
Directed by: Nelson Cragg
2-09 Brick By Brick It Also Falls--10/15/2021
Poppy's pursuit of a suspect leads to a horrific confrontation. The truth about Poppy's childhood with Miss Shirley is revealed.
Written by: Michael Kastelein
Directed by: Kat Candler
2-10 Last Exit....Oakland--10/22/2021
Grappling with the aftermath of the attack, Poppy interviews Micah on her podcast and gets to the bottom of the case.
Written by: MMatthew Montoya & Michael Kastelein
Directed by: Mikkel Norgaard
Season Three Episode Guide (Apple TV+)
3-01 Unto the Sweet Bird's Throat--01/20/2023
3-02 Her, Armed With Sorrow Sore--01/27/2023
3-03 Here She Shall See No Enemy--02/03/2023
3-04 Never Take Her Eyes Off Her--02/10/2023
3-05 Freedom Is Never Given; It Is Won--02/17/2023
3-06 From My Hand The Poisoned Apple--02/24/2023
3-07 The Luxury Of Self-Reproach--03/03/2023
3-08 Darkness Declares The Glory Light--03/10/2023
3-09 Only Little Secrets--04/17//2023
To find the girl from the blackmail tape, Poppy turns to Eva. Aames shares troubling information about the crime scene surveillance tape.
3-10 --03/24/2023
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