Despite finding love with Jackson White while auditioning for Tell Me Lies, Grace Van Patten recalled thinking it would “be more complicated” having them play love interests amid an offscreen romance.
Van Patten, 28, made rare comments about how she started dating White, 29, right before he was cast on the hit Hulu series, telling Elle on Tuesday, August 19, “We didn’t know what was going to be more complicated, if he did get the part or if he didn’t. But we didn’t care. We just couldn’t help it.”
The actress has since come around about working with her boyfriend — especially when it comes to the more intense Tell Me Lies scenes.
“It’s the best part about all of this. Because playing a role like this, and doing these types of scenes, you have to really go there,” Van Patten explained. “They’re emotional and intimate. To do that with someone you trust so much, it just makes it a whole other experience, as opposed to doing it with someone you don’t know on that level.”
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She continued: “With us, there’s no block. It’s just full taking each other in because that’s what we’re used to.”
White and Patten met while auditioning to play college students Lucy and Stephen in Hulu’s adaptation of Carola Lovering’s novel. Tell Me Lies, which premiered in 2022, follows a fictional couple whose toxic relationship affects everyone around them.
While promoting the project, White and Patten played coy about their relationship status.
“All I’m saying is that I’m obsessed with her because she’s f***ing amazing. Our lives are built in together. It’s crazy, we have so much to do together,” White said on an episode of the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast in October 2022.
“She is the f***ing coolest, most grounded, amazing person IRL that you’ll ever meet,” he continued. “She was the fearless leader on our show. She’s 25 years old and runs a set like she’s been doing this for 30 years. She’s so consistent and good at this.”
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Patten also enjoyed teasing fans about her connection with White.
“Fans should just leave it up for mystery, keep it fun. Who knows?” she told Entertainment Tonight in November 2022. “[The speculation] doesn’t bother me at all. It’s fun. It’s fun like any other discussion about the show. It’s engaging and it’s hilarious. I love it.”
The pair have since subtly confirmed their relationship as they attend events together. White even showed his support for Van Patten at a red carpet premiere on Tuesday for her new Hulu show, The Twisted Life of Amanda Knox.
Tell Me Lies is currently in production on season 3 and past seasons are available to stream on Hulu.
