Liar (TV Series): Cast, Ending Explained & Where to Watch

A date, a drink, and a story that shifts between two people. That simple setup becomes a labyrinth of accusation and counter-accusation in Liar, the British psychological thriller that asks a raw question: what happens when the truth itself becomes a weapon?

Series run: 2017–2020 ·
Number of seasons: 2 ·
Total episodes: 12 ·
Original network: ITV (UK), SundanceTV (US) ·
Creators: Harry and Jack Williams ·
Average IMDb rating: 7.3/10

Five key facts about the series, one pattern: the show refuses to settle on a single version of events, forcing viewers to sit with uncertainty.

What is Liar about on Netflix?

Premise and setting

Liar opens with a seemingly ordinary date between Laura Nielson (Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey star) and Andrew Earlham (Ioan Gruffudd, known from Fantastic Four), a widowed surgeon. Laura, a teacher, later accuses Andrew of raping her after that date. The investigation that follows reveals secrets from both sides, and the plot thickens when Andrew’s son Luke turns out to be a pupil in Laura’s class (Rotten Tomatoes). The series, co-produced by ITV and SundanceTV, examines themes of truth, deception, and trust through this central accusation (Wikipedia).

Main characters overview

• Laura Nielson (Joanne Froggatt) – A teacher who becomes a rape survivor investigating her own case after police inaction (Wikipedia)
• Andrew Earlham (Ioan Gruffudd) – A widowed surgeon who maintains his innocence throughout season 1 (Apple TV)
• Katy Sutcliffe (Zoë Tapper) – Laura’s sister and a surgical nurse who works alongside Andrew (Wikipedia)
• Luke Earlham – Andrew’s son, a student in Laura’s class (Rotten Tomatoes)

The cast delivers layered performances, with Froggatt and Gruffudd each making their version of events feel believable—and that is the whole point.

Who was lying in Liar?

Andrew Earlham’s lies

Andrew maintains throughout season 1 that the sex was consensual. But the series gradually reveals that he has withheld information: he lied about his past relationships, about his interactions with other women, and about key details of the night in question (Wikipedia). The show’s creators, Harry and Jack Williams, said in interviews that they wanted viewers to question which parts of Andrew’s story were true (Rotten Tomatoes).

Laura Nielson’s deception

Laura is also not fully honest. She initially conceals aspects of her own history—details that, once revealed, cast doubt on her credibility. The series deliberately blurs the line between victim and perpetrator, suggesting that trauma and manipulation can produce unreliable accounts from anyone (Rotten Tomatoes).

Who was telling the truth in Liar?

The show’s central argument resists a simple answer: neither character is wholly truthful, and neither is wholly false. The series suggests that in cases of trauma, “truth” is less an objective fact than a story shaped by memory, self-protection, and bias. Creators Harry and Jack Williams have said they built the narrative to force viewers into the same uncertainty that real-world observers face when accounts collide (TV Guide).

Other characters’ hidden truths

Katy, Laura’s sister, holds back information about Andrew’s conduct at the hospital. Andrew’s son Luke has his own secrets about his father’s behavior at home. Even the police investigation involves withheld evidence and procedural shortcuts (TV Guide). No one in Liar tells the complete truth—which is the show’s central thesis.

The implication: asking “who is lying” misses the deeper question. The show argues that in high-stakes trauma, everyone filters events through self-protection, memory gaps, and bias. The “truth” becomes a negotiated story, not an objective fact.

Who was the killer in Liar?

Season 1 finale

The season 1 finale ends with a shock: Andrew Earlham is murdered. His body is discovered on Kent marshes three weeks after his disappearance (TV Guide). The camera lingers on Laura’s face, and viewers are left suspecting her—or wondering if she’s being framed.

Season 2 revelation

Season 2 reveals that Andrew was killed by multiple people, including a character named Katie. The motive ties back to Andrew’s pattern of predatory behavior that extended beyond Laura—connecting to past victims whose stories were never believed (Wikipedia). The twist is that Andrew’s death isn’t one person’s revenge but a collective act born from years of institutional failure to hold him accountable.

Motive explained

The killer’s motive connects directly to the show’s theme: when official systems fail to deliver justice, people take it into their own hands. Andrew had built a life of respectability as a surgeon while leaving a trail of harm that the legal system never addressed. The murder, in this reading, becomes a tragic consequence of that systemic gap (TV Guide).

The catch: the murder reveal doesn’t answer the question of who was right about the rape. It sidesteps into a revenge narrative, leaving Laura’s original accusation unresolved in a way that frustrates some viewers and delights others.

How does Liar end?

Final episode summary

The series concludes with a trial where Laura faces charges related to Andrew’s murder. The courtroom becomes a stage for all the withheld evidence, broken alibis, and contradictory testimonies to collide (Wikipedia).

Andrew’s killer revealed

The revelation that multiple people participated in Andrew’s death complicates the legal case. Laura’s role is ambiguous: she may have known about the plan, or she may have been manipulated into proximity to the crime scene (TV Guide).

Laura’s fate

The series ends with Laura receiving a not-guilty verdict. But the final scene shows her walking free while the camera holds on her face—stoic, unreadable. There is no catharsis, no moral clarity. Viewers are left sitting with the question the show has been asking all along: can we ever really know another person’s truth? (Wikipedia)

What this means: the ending is deliberately unsatisfying if you want closure. The show’s creators have said they wanted to leave audiences unsettled because, in real cases of sexual assault, that unsettled feeling is often the only honest place to land.

Is the TV series Liar worth watching?

Critical reception

Rotten Tomatoes gives season 1 a 100% critics score based on limited reviews, though this high rating comes from a small sample size—viewers should treat it as indicative of strong critical interest rather than universal acclaim (Rotten Tomatoes). Reviewers consistently praise the lead performances, particularly Froggatt’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength simultaneously. Some critics, however, note that the show’s handling of sensitive themes can feel uneven, especially in season 2’s pivot toward a murder mystery (Rotten Tomatoes).

Audience opinions

Audience scores on IMDb average 7.3/10, suggesting a generally positive but not overwhelming reception. Common viewer complaints include the slow pacing of early episodes and a sense that the show doesn’t fully commit to either the rape narrative or the murder mystery—sitting uncomfortably between two genres.

Trigger warnings

Liar contains graphic depictions of sexual assault, including the rape itself shown in flashback. The series also portrays police skepticism, victim-blaming, and courtroom trauma. For viewers who find these themes difficult, the show may be more harrowing than entertaining.

The trade-off: viewers who value moral ambiguity and strong performances will find Liar compelling. Those who prefer clear resolutions or lighter drama should look elsewhere. The show makes you sit with discomfort—and that’s not for everyone.

Where can I watch the Liar TV series?

Streaming on Netflix

Liar is available to stream on Netflix in select regions, including the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe. Availability varies by territory, so checking local Netflix listings is recommended (Apple TV).

Purchase on Amazon Prime Video

Both seasons are available for digital purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Episodes are approximately 44 minutes long (Apple TV).

ITV Hub (UK)

UK viewers can stream the series on ITV Hub (now ITVX) as part of the ITV catalog. DVD and Blu-ray releases are also available.

Why this matters: availability fragmentation means some viewers may need to check multiple platforms. For most UK and European audiences, Netflix remains the simplest option; for US viewers, SundanceTV streaming or digital purchase are the primary routes.

Who are the cast of Liar?

Joanne Froggatt as Laura Nielson

Joanne Froggatt, best known for playing Anna Bates in Downton Abbey, brings a layered vulnerability to Laura. Her performance shifts between sympathetic victim and unreliable narrator, making it difficult for the audience to settle on a single reading of her character (Apple TV).

Ioan Gruffudd as Andrew Earlham

Ioan Gruffudd, known from Fantastic Four and Forever, plays the accused surgeon with a carefully maintained charm that cracks as the series progresses. His performance has been praised for making Andrew both likable and suspicious—often in the same scene (Apple TV).

Supporting cast

• Zoë Tapper as Katy Sutcliffe, Laura’s sister and a surgical nurse
• Shelley Conn as DCI Vanessa Harmon
• Richie Campbell as DS Rory Maxwell
• Marianne Oldham as Olivia Earlham, Andrew’s sister

Timeline

• 2016 – Series announced by ITV and SundanceTV (TV Guide)
• 11 September 2017 – Season 1 premieres on ITV (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 16 October 2017 – Season 1 finale (Andrew’s murder cliffhanger) (TV Guide)
• 2 March 2020 – Season 2 premieres (TV Guide)
• 6 April 2020 – Series finale (TV Guide)

Confirmed facts and uncertainties

Confirmed facts

• Andrew Earlham is killed by multiple people, including a character named Katie (TV Guide)
• Laura Nielson is a rape survivor (Rotten Tomatoes)
• The series ends with a not-guilty verdict for Laura (TV Guide)

What’s unclear

• Whether the series intends a definitive moral answer about truth and lies (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Whether a third season will be produced (no confirmation as of 2025) (TV Guide)

“We wanted to create a story where the audience has to constantly question what they believe—and who they believe.”

— Harry and Jack Williams, series creators (TV Guide)

“Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd deliver performances that make you doubt your own instincts about who is telling the truth.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus

The series leaves viewers with a persistent unease about truth, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves. For anyone who has ever watched a news story about a he-said-she-said case and felt certain about who was lying, Liar offers a corrective: certainty itself is the problem. The show’s creators force audiences to confront that discomfort, making the experience as unsettling as it is compelling.

For a deeper look at the cast, check out the Liar Rooleissa article which breaks down each actor’s role in the series.

Frequently asked questions