Before ‘Found,’ Kelli Williams Gave a Must-See Performance in This Underrated Procedural

Since her breakout role in the ABC series The Practice, Kelli Williams has consistently shined on TV, playing characters that are both brilliant and vulnerable. Most recently, she has received praise for her portrayal of Margaret Reed on the NBC series Found. Before landing that role, however, she captivated audiences, and has since gained a cult following, with her performance in the underrated crime procedural Lie to Me. Williams played Dr. Gillian Foster, a brilliant psychologist and a key member of the Lightman Group, a team of experts at detecting deception, led by Tim Roth as the brilliant but often unpredictable Dr. Cal Lightman. The FOX series was partially inspired by the groundbreaking work of psychologist Paul Ekman, who specialized in the study of microexpressions and body language.

What Is ‘Lie to Me’ About?

Lie to Me ran for three seasons on FOX from 2009 to 2011, quickly developing a cult following thanks to its unique premise and its blend of crime, legal, and political procedural. Each episode presents a new and complex case, as Dr. Lightman and his team of experts uncover the truth and unravel the lies by using the Facial Action Coding System and other subtle, non-verbal cues. The series is visually stylized in a very distinctive way, zooming in on facial ticks and other microexpressions from the suspect, which gives the audience a glimpse into Cal’s almost supernatural abilities as a human lie detector. The show even uses footage of real-life people at times to illustrate deception, highlighting the fact that everyone lies. Alongside Dr. Gillian Foster, Dr. Lightman recruits a diverse and dynamic team, each bringing a unique set of skills to the table.

Kelli Williams and Tim Roth Make the Perfect Duo in ‘Lie to Me’

While the cases in Lie to Me are compelling, the undeniable on-screen chemistry between Tim Roth and Kelli Williams stands out as the best part of the show. Roth brings his A-game to his performance as Cal Lightman, who has a much more abrasive approach when it comes to detecting lies. Dr. Gillian Foster, on the other hand, uses her psychological background to bring compassion and empathy to each case. Williams has a remarkable screen presence, ensuring her character is never overshadowed by Roth’s flashier performance, making their partnership even more compelling.

Despite their differences, the deep respect, friendship, and love between Lightman and Foster serve as the emotional anchor in Lie to Me. Their scenes together are some of the sharpest of the series, ranging from intellectual debates to more tender, emotional moments that show how deep their bond is. These scenes showcase the complexity of their relationship and how their contrasting approaches to finding the truth complement each other and make them the formidable team they are. Together, they form the perfect dynamic duo, keeping viewers engaged while sparking interest from shippers who are invested in both the cases and the emotional heartbeat of the series.

While Kelli Williams has had some incredible roles in her 30-plus-year career so far, her turn in Lie to Me stands out as a must-watch performance. The way she brings Dr. Gillian Foster to life helps to elevate the show beyond a typical crime procedural. Williams masterfully embodies a character who was both intellectually sharp and emotionally compassionate, perfectly complementing Roth’s performance. At the same time, her talents make Dr. Foster a multidimensional character in her own right, never fading into the background. Although the show didn’t receive the recognition it deserved during its original run, it remains a hidden gem while showcasing Williams’ talents and firmly solidifying her as a standout in the genre. For fans who loved her in The Practice and Found, Lie to Me is definitely worth checking out.

All three seasons of Lie to Me are available to stream on Hulu.

Lie to Me

Release Date

2009 – 2010

Network

FOX

Showrunner

Samuel Baum

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