‘Pretty Little Liars’ Reboot: How the Original ‘PLL’ Cast Could Be Involved in the New Series
Amid news that the hit teen drama series Pretty Little Liars will be getting the reboot treatment, fans are asking: What about the original cast? Here’s what’s known about the proposed new show, and how the PLL stars could have a hand in shaping it.
‘Pretty Little Liars’ aired from 2010-2017
Based on the book series of the same name, the original show aired on Freeform (formerly ABC Family). It depicted five teenage girls who stop being friends after one of them mysteriously disappears. A year later, a body is found, and her four friends reunite as they become the target of an anonymous stalker, known only as “A.”
PLL saw the central characters unmask the original A, discover their friend is still alive, and eventually learn the identities of additional “big bads,” including the ultimate villain, A.D. (or Uber A). The series was a ratings hit and brought social media into the live TV-viewing experience. It ended with its seventh season in 2017.
A ‘PLL’ reboot was announced in 2020
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a reboot of PLL is in the works. As of September 2, 2020, there isn’t much information available. However, the project comes from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the creator of such series as CW’s Riverdale and Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
This is not the first time the series has spawned another show. A spinoff focused on Tyler Blackburn’s character Caleb, Ravenswood, ran for one season while PLL was still on the air. A sequel spinoff, PLL: The Perfectionists, which brought back Alison (Sasha Pieterse) and Mona (Janel Parrish), was also canceled after a single season.
Lucy Hale said she’d want to be a producer
Fans are fiercely dedicated to the original cast. While this project is said to feature new actors, there are still opportunities for the past stars to be involved. For instance, Lucy Hale, who played Aria Montgomery, could be the first former cast member to join in a behind-the-scenes role, based on comments she made in May 2020 to ET.
“I’m so protective of this show,” she said. “I feel like when the time comes that they want to do it with a whole new cast, I might have to produce it because I’m way too protective of it.” Notably, Hale already has a working relationship with Aguirre-Sacasa, from starring on the short-lived Katy Keene earlier this year.
Troian Bellisario could return as a director
Star Troian Bellisario could also contribute to the reboot. Not only did she fulfill dual roles as Spencer Hastings and her previously unknown identical twin, Alex Drake, in the later seasons, but she also took on directing duties for one episode. PLL creator I. Marlene King then recruited Bellisario to direct an episode of her series Famous in Love.
“I loved [it],” Bellisario said in a May 2020 reunion of directing. “I mean, truly still my greatest experience was the first time [on PLL].” She added, “I just so appreciated being able to do it.” She has since directed episodes of another Freeform series, Good Trouble. So bringing her on as a director for the reboot would be a no-brainer.
What did the other ‘PLL’ stars say?
None of the other PLL stars have commented on the news as of September 3. But at the aforementioned Looped reunion, everyone was on board with the possibility of returning to their characters. Hale and Ian Harding, who played Ezra Fitz, were especially down — but on one condition.
“I always get asked when are we doing the movie,” said Hale. “People still think we’re making a [PLL] movie. I think we just need to do it.” Harding added, “I think if it does happen, it has to be pretty extreme. And Pieterse agreed to his stipulation that a main character should be killed off, saying, “It wouldn’t be PLL without [death].”
