Fifteen years ago, a cryptic text message shattered the seemingly perfect lives of four best friends, igniting a mystery that would captivate a generation. “I’m still here bitches, and I know everything –A,” read the ominous message that launched Pretty Little Liars into pop culture history.
Premiering in the summer of 2010, the Freeform series, based on Sara Shepard’s books, quickly became a social media phenomenon. Set in the fictional town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, the show centered on Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale), Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario), Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson), and Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell). They were reunited by the anonymous threats after their best friend, Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse), vanished and was presumed dead.
Across its seven seasons, Pretty Little Liars unfolded a complex web of secrets, lies, and multiple reveals of the mysterious tormentor known as “A.” Beyond the thrilling twists, the show resonated deeply with audiences for its portrayal of fierce female friendship, loyalty, and navigating the tumultuous years of adolescence amidst extraordinary circumstances.
In celebration of the show’s 15th anniversary, creator Marlene King and key cast members — including Hale, Bellisario, Benson, Mitchell, Pieterse, Ian Harding (Ezra Fitz), Tyler Blackburn (Caleb Rivers), and Keegan Allen (Toby Cavanaugh) — revisited the most talked-about storylines, lingering questions, controversial relationships, and shared their hopes for the future, including a potential reunion.
Unmasking “A”: The Ultimate Whodunit
The show’s central enigma was the identity of “A.” The series featured several reveals, starting with Hanna’s friend Mona Vanderwaal (Janel Parrish) in season two, followed by Alison’s cousin/adopted sister Charlotte DiLaurentis (Vanessa Ray) in season five. The final “A,” or A.D., was unveiled in the series finale as Spencer’s previously unknown British twin sister, Alex Drake.
Troian Bellisario, who impressively played both Spencer and Alex, learned about the final reveal roughly three years before the finale aired. “I was very grateful that Spencer wasn’t ‘A.’ I feel like that would’ve made no sense whatsoever,” Bellisario commented, acknowledging that while Alex’s introduction was a “jump-the-shark moment” for some, it felt more logical than Spencer torturing herself and her friends for years. Keeping the secret required extreme caution, even from her castmates, until the final table read.
Series creator Marlene King explained the decision to ultimately make “A” someone outside the core four Liars: “I know a lot of fans were always wanting it to be one of the girls… but how could you torture yourself like that? It just didn’t make any sense.” King felt Alex, as Spencer’s twin, was the closest they could get to a Liar without sacrificing character authenticity, born from the show’s core desire to constantly twist storylines.
Despite numerous clues suggesting Aria could be “A” — including Mona calling her “Big A” and her unique ability to keep secrets — King confirmed this was a deliberate red herring, never the actual plan. “We were definitely on the track of trying to convince people that Aria was ‘A’,” King recalled, noting that fan theories and “murder boards” were a constant source of fun in trying to keep viewers guessing. Lucy Hale herself admitted, “One-hundred-percent I thought Aria was going to be ‘A’ in the end… I think all of us wanted that for our characters.” Ashley Benson echoed this, saying she “was begging every season” to be “A.”
Bellisario added that making one of the Liars “A” would have gone against the show’s fundamental theme: “The show’s DNA was these four women and what they meant to each other.”
Looking back on the finale, King acknowledged mixed reactions from fans but emphasized her focus as a storyteller was the characters’ emotional goodbye, rather than just the “A” reveal.
The Couples That Defined PLL (and Sparked Debate)
Beyond the mystery, Pretty Little Liars was equally known for its dramatic and often controversial relationships.
Ezria: A Complicated Connection
The teacher-student romance between Aria and Ezra, affectionately dubbed “Ezria,” was one of the most talked-about pairings. They met just before Aria started high school, endured countless challenges, and ultimately married in the series finale. Both Lucy Hale and Ian Harding, along with Marlene King, reflected on the relationship’s problematic nature, especially viewed through a modern lens.
“It was a different time,” Hale stated. “Would that storyline exist if it were being made now? I’m not sure, but probably not.” Hale, who was 19 playing a high schooler, wasn’t focused on the themes initially but now considers the “bigger message.” Despite this, she maintains, “I stand behind their love story forever. That forbidden love story drew a lot of people in.”
Harding noted they “tried to demonstrate over and over was that there was a meaningful connection,” hoping it would “justify the deeply problematic relationship.” He added, “As society has progressed, we realized how wildly inappropriate it was.” King conceded, “We were definitely probably crossing a line I wouldn’t cross now,” but acknowledged their popularity: “They were everybody’s favorite couple… And they really loved each other.” King also mentioned that issues like grooming weren’t commonly discussed 15 years ago.
Harding revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes detail: at one point, feeling pigeonholed and considering leaving the show, he asked to be written off. This led writers to explore a darker Ezra storyline where he was spying on the girls for a book about Alison – a “red herring” that fueled speculation he was “A.” Harding enjoyed playing this “shadow Ezra,” saying it felt “great” to step out of the “likability prison.” Bellisario noted this storyline briefly explored the “grooming relationship” aspect before reverting, likely due to the couple’s popularity.
Emison: A Groundbreaking Love Story
Emily Fields’ journey of self-discovery and coming out as gay, culminating in her relationship with Alison (“Emison”), was a significant storyline. In 2010, LGBTQ+ representation was less common on television, making Emily a “trailblazer,” according to Shay Mitchell.
Both Mitchell and Sasha Pieterse expressed immense pride in portraying Emison and the impact it had. “That storyline is such a crucial one,” Mitchell said, noting it “started the conversation for so many people.” Pieterse shared, “It’s a huge honor… Shay and I were very aware of that responsibility.” They felt the story realistically depicted the complexities of coming out, including varied parental reactions. King, who is married to a woman, felt it was important to set a positive example.
Tyler Blackburn shared a striking anecdote: an advertiser dropped out early in the series, citing an “inappropriate and disgusting” relationship, which the cast initially assumed was Ezria. However, it turned out to be Emily’s burgeoning same-sex relationship, highlighting the societal resistance to LGBTQ+ representation at the time.
The decision to divorce Emily and Alison in the spinoff Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists drew fan criticism. Pieterse called it a “slap in the face” to fans who supported the relationship. King explained the choice was influenced by Mitchell not joining the spinoff and a desire to give Alison a new, fully realized character arc.
Spaleb: The Unexpected Triangle
The pairing of Spencer and Caleb (“Spaleb”) in season six, after Caleb’s long-standing relationship with Hanna (“Haleb”), sparked significant fan “fury.”
Tyler Blackburn understood the fan reaction, acknowledging, “The fans are going to kill you!” He found shooting with Troian Bellisario fun, noting their characters’ shared intelligence created a different dynamic. Ashley Benson, a self-proclaimed “Haleb No. 1 fan,” was initially “furious” and “sad” but found the scenes involving all three characters “heartbreaking and super vulnerable.”
Bellisario defended the storyline, seeing it as a realistic outcome after a time jump, where complex feelings can develop between friends. She highlighted Hanna’s “wildly evolved moment” of giving Spencer permission to explore the relationship. King revealed she had a rule that no one could date a friend’s ex without permission, reinforcing the show’s focus on friendship loyalty. Both King and Benson praised the scene where Hanna listens to Caleb outside the door professing his love for Spencer as one of the show’s best.
Spoby: An Original Show Romance
Spencer and Toby (“Spoby”) began their relationship bonding over being outcasts. Their pairing was unique as it originated on the show, unlike in the books where Toby dies early. Troian Bellisario felt a special connection to this couple for that reason, while Keegan Allen felt grateful to have played Toby’s expanded role.
Their relationship faced its biggest challenge when Toby was revealed to be part of the “A-Team.” Allen enjoyed the emotional depth of this arc, acknowledging fan fury but noting it led to iconic moments like Spencer’s breakdown and hospitalisation. Bellisario found playing Spencer’s unraveling and stint in Radley Sanitarium “so liberating,” feeling it reflected the true psychological toll of living under “A”‘s constant threat. Ultimately, the couple found their way back to each other, providing a satisfying endgame for fans.
Navigating Rosewood’s Darkness: Friendships, Trauma & Growth
A constant question for viewers was why the Liars remained loyal to Alison, given her often cruel and manipulative behavior (using their secrets, bullying Hanna about her weight, exploiting Emily’s feelings).
The cast offered insights rooted in real-life adolescent dynamics. Bellisario spoke of the desire for approval and fitting in, putting up with unkindness out of insecurity. Mitchell believed Emily saw Alison’s “good heart” and was the “super-loyal friend.” Benson related Hanna’s story to real struggles with bullying and eating disorders, seeing her arc as one of growth and gaining confidence after overcoming insecurity. Pieterse explained Alison’s power stemmed from exploiting the girls’ admiration and desire for validation.
Pieterse also spoke candidly about her personal experience with PCOS causing weight fluctuation and online bullying during the show. She felt protected by the cast and crew but highlighted the oddness of playing out themes like body image and bullying on camera while experiencing them in real life, noting how her experience mirrored the show’s often difficult themes. She recalled a poignant moment contrasting her appearance promoting the show with a radio interview featuring a mother whose daughter died by suicide after being bullied by someone like Alison.
King reflected on the show’s approach to difficult subjects and character redemption (like Mona and Paige), revealing they considered killing off Alison in the season five finale but decided against it to avoid upsetting fans and allow for her redemption arc.
King also admitted one regret was breaking up all the core couples during the five-year time jump between seasons six A and B, feeling it “annoyed” fans and they should have kept at least one couple together.
Beyond Rosewood: Spinoffs and What Could Have Been
The short-lived spinoff Ravenswood, featuring Tyler Blackburn’s character Caleb, was discussed. Blackburn felt its supernatural elements were confusing for Pretty Little Liars fans. King attributed its failure partly to the “Haleb” fanbase being upset he left Rosewood. Blackburn returned to Pretty Little Liars after the spinoff was canceled, with Caleb having a darker edge after his experiences. Despite fan speculation, Blackburn and Ashley Benson confirmed they never dated offscreen, despite their undeniable chemistry.
The Lingering Question: A PLL Reunion?
With 15 years passed since the premiere and nearly eight since the finale, the possibility of a reunion remains a hot topic. Creator Marlene King and the cast are open to the idea.
King suggested a movie or a limited 10-episode series, saying, “We always kick it around.” She believes it’s been enough time to explore new “life-lived experiences” for the characters, noting any return would likely involve a funeral and a new “A.”
The cast echoed her enthusiasm. Troian Bellisario felt a film format might be best, saying, “It’s the perfect time to see where they are.” Tyler Blackburn joked a PG-13 version could be “more intense and gory or gruesome or sexy.” Ashley Benson added, “Maybe Hanna could finally be ‘A!'” Shay Mitchell, Sasha Pieterse, and Ian Harding all expressed openness if the story and involved cast members felt right, with Mitchell emphasizing it would need to be a “whole group situation.”
The Lasting Legacy and Offscreen Bonds
Pretty Little Liars continues to find new audiences through streaming platforms, becoming a “pop culture phenomenon” and a “history-making show” in the eyes of its cast. Keegan Allen noted the enduring fan dedication, from Spoby tattoos to new generations discovering the show.
Marlene King felt they “captured lightning in a bottle” with the perfect cast, writing, and crew synergy. She’s touched by fans who named their daughters after characters and shared how the show provided relief during tough times.
Beyond the show’s cultural impact, the strongest legacy might be the enduring friendships formed on set. The core cast remains close, sharing a group chat and referring to each other as family. Actors like Troian Bellisario, who stars in the upcoming Dick Wolf police drama On Call premiering in January 2025, continue to support each other’s careers. As Ashley Benson put it, they spent more time with each other than their own families during the seven years of filming, creating bonds that will last “forever.”
Lingering Questions Answered by the Creator
Marlene King also provided answers to some specific fan questions left hanging after the finale:
Why did Eddie Lamb recognize Aria in Radley? King explained Aria had visited both Spencer and Mona in Radley before, so recognizing her made sense.
What did Maya know (from Mona’s clue)? King clarified that Mona was “just messing with Aria” with the clue “Miss Aria You’re A Killer Not Ezra’s Wife” (which spells “Maya Knew”).
Why were Alison, Charlotte, and Bethany wearing the same yellow top? Ali’s mom often bought matching clothes for Alison and Charlotte, and Bethany stole Charlotte’s clothes when she snuck out of Radley. The iconic yellow tops were custom-made for the show.
How did Bethany get the bracelet that said “Alison”? King admitted, “The bracelet still stumps me,” but noted the show made those bracelets famous, leading a vendor to start selling them widely.
- More on the Ezra “A” Red Herring: King reiterated that the storyline where Ezra knew Alison and Aria before they met was a deliberate attempt to make viewers suspect he was “A,” confirming he was never planned to be the actual tormentor. Bellisario noted the potential for that storyline to explore grooming before it became just a red herring, while Harding explained his desire to leave the show initially prompted the exploration of a darker Ezra arc, which he ultimately enjoyed playing.
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Fifteen years later, the mysteries of Rosewood and the bonds of the Pretty Little Liars continue to resonate, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter, whatever form it may take.
