Lie to Me Timeline ( Real )

tv_premiere
January 21, 2009

Premiere of Lie to Me

The TV show Lie to Me premiered on the Fox network, introducing audiences to Dr. Cal Lightman and his team who specialize in deception detection.

season_finale
May 13, 2009

Lie to Me Season 1 Finale

The finale of the first season of Lie to Me aired, concluding the initial story arcs and character introductions.

season_premiere
October 1, 2009

Lie to Me Season 2 Premiere

The second season of Lie to Me premiered, continuing the adventures and investigative work of Dr. Cal Lightman and his team.

season_finale
May 20, 2010

Lie to Me Season 2 Finale

The second season finale aired, wrapping up the ongoing plots and setting the stage for the next season.

season_premiere
January 3, 2011

Lie to Me Season 3 Premiere

The third season of Lie to Me premiered, featuring further character development and complex cases.

series_finale
January 31, 2011

Lie to Me Series Finale

The final episode of Lie to Me aired, concluding the series and the story of Dr. Cal Lightman and his team.

Lie to Me Timeline ( Fictional )

organization_foundation
early 2000s

Dr. Cal Lightman forms The Lightman Group

Dr. Cal Lightman establishes the Lightman Group, specializing in deception detection and human behavior analysis.

staffing_event
early 2000s

Dr. Cal Lightman hires Dr. Gillian Foster

Dr. Cal Lightman brings on Dr. Gillian Foster, a psychologist, as a partner in The Lightman Group.

case
early 2000s

First major case involving politician bribery

The Lightman Group investigates allegations of bribery involving a high-profile politician, proving the case through microexpressions.

case
mid 2000s

Investigation of school bullying incident

The Lightman Group assists in uncovering the truth behind a complex school bullying case involving multiple students and parents.

personal_event
mid 2000s

Cal Lightman confronts personal relationship issues

Dr. Lightman struggles to maintain work-life balance as his complicated relationships affect his professional focus.

case
mid 2000s

Team helps exonerate a wrongfully accused man

The Lightman Group uses behavioral analysis to prove the innocence of a man accused of murder.

case
late 2000s

Dr. Lightman discovers a mole within government ranks

Through subtle behavioral observations, Lightman uncovers a government official leaking sensitive information.

staffing_event
late 2000s

Dr. Gillian Foster takes temporary leave

Dr. Foster leaves the Lightman Group briefly to handle personal matters but eventually returns.

case
late 2000s

Resolution of corporate embezzlement scheme

The team exposes a large-scale embezzlement plan within a multinational corporation.

personal_event
late 2000s

Season finale event: Lightman faces ethical dilemma

Dr. Lightman must choose between professional duty and personal loyalty when a case hits close to home.