How Ryan Phillippe Sneaked Son Deacon onto His Hulu Drama
I’ll spare you the confusion and break this down: Ryan Phillippe didn’t just bring his kid to set for family bonding—he cast his teen son Deacon as his on-screen brother in the new Hulu series Tell Me Lies. You probably thought big-name shows never mix bloodlines with casting calls, but Phillippe set the record straight at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in January 2024, and yes, it was as straightforward as you’d hope (source: People).
Phillippe, 49, explained that the idea sprang up organically while shooting flashback scenes in Atlanta. Deacon, now 16, tagged along on a weekend visit and caught the producers’ eye with his uncanny resemblance to Jackson White’s character, Richard. “He just wandered through the set,” Phillippe quipped, “and suddenly my kid was standing in for my character’s younger brother.” Production insiders confirmed this impromptu decision (source: Entertainment Tonight).
If you’ve been living under a rock, Tell Me Lies follows Jules (Grace Van Patten) as she navigates love triangles and family drama in the ’90s South. Phillippe plays her charismatic father, Stephen, and Deacon steps in as young Stephen’s sibling, Toby, in heartfelt flashbacks that illuminate the family tension at the series’ core. Yes, it’s a bit meta, but that’s showbiz for you.
Here’s what you need to know—because I know you’d be lost otherwise. Deacon’s scenes were shot over two days in December 2023. Phillippe made time between takes to coach him on hitting his marks and dialing in the Southern drawl required for those pivotal early ’90s moments. Critics have already praised the father-son dynamic for its natural warmth, though you might have missed the reviews in your endless scroll (source: Variety).
In true paternal multitasking style, Phillippe balanced his on-screen responsibilities with proud-dad duties. He quietly oversaw Deacon’s first SAG paperwork (yes, those pesky union forms) and even arranged a brief rehearsal with Jackson White so Deacon could feel at ease. By episode four’s flashback sequence, you’d swear these two grew up fighting over who got the remote—very charming, very authentic.
So next time someone wonders how nepotism really works in Hollywood, just point them to Phillippe’s set in Atlanta. He showed us that sometimes the best supporting actor is your own offspring—and it doesn’t get more conveniently “cast” than that. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine
Entertainment Tonight
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
