| Pretty Little Liars | |
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Title card for the first season
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| Genre |
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| Created by | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring |
| Based on | Pretty Little Liars bySara Shepard |
| Showrunner | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa |
| Creative director | Neil Patel |
| Starring |
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| Music by |
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| Opening theme | "Secret" by the Pierces |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language |
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| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 18 |
| Production | |
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| Running time | 47–53 minutes |
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| Original release | |
| Network | HBO Max |
| Release | July 28 (2022-07-28) – August 18, 2022 (2022-08-18) |
| Network | Max |
| Release | May 9, 2024 (2024-05-09) – present (present) |
| Related | |
| Pretty Little Liars franchise | |
Pretty Little Liars is an American slasher teen drama mystery television series created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring for Max. It is the fourth television series in the Pretty Little Liars franchise, which is based on the novel series written by Sara Shepard, and set within the same continuity as the previous series.[2] The series features an ensemble cast, headed by Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, and Maia Reficco.
Warner Bros. announced the series' development with Aguirre-Sacasa as showrunner in September 2020. It was given a straight-to-series order by HBO Max at the end of the same month. Filming took place in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the first series in the franchise not to be broadcast on ABC Family/Freeform and to be carried on a streaming television service.
The first season, titled Original Sin, premiered on July 28, 2022.[3] In September 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, subtitled Summer School, that premiered on May 9, 2024.[4][5][6]
Five teenage girls living in Millwood, Pennsylvania, team up after receiving cryptic messages from a mysterious person calling themselves "A", who holds their mothers responsible for a series of events that resulted in a classmate's death on New Year's Eve 1999.[7]
| Season | Title | Episodes | Originally released | |||
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| First released | Last released | Network | ||||
| 1 | Original Sin | 10 | July 28, 2022 (2022-07-28) | August 18, 2022 (2022-08-18) | HBO Max | |
| 2 | Summer School | 8 | May 9, 2024 (2024-05-09) | June 20, 2024 (2024-06-20) | Max | |
| No. overall | No.in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Chapter One: Spirit Week" | Lisa Soper | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring | July 28, 2022 (2022-07-28) | |||
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| 2 | 2 | "Chapter Two: The Spirit Queen" | Lisa Soper | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring | July 28, 2022 (2022-07-28) | |||
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The Little Liars devise a plan to humiliate Karen after Imogen shows them an embarrassing video of Karen. Tabby suggests to play it during the double feature at the Orpheum, so no one can record it. Students gather at the Orpheum for the movies; the embarrassing video of Karen is played before the movie and an humiliated Karen ran away, followed by her twin, Kelly. Kelly, impersonating Karen, confesses to Principal Clanton that she was the one that committed the crimes The Little Liars were punished for, but this was just the twins' plan to get back at Imogen for the video. Karen drops out of the spirit queen race. The girls arrive at the party and the principal announces Imogen as the spirit queen. Previously, Kelly proposed to get revenge at Imogen in the style of Carrie, by pouring a bucket of red paint on her while she receives her crown. Before the plan is executed, the girls see Karen hiding in the rafters and try to warn Imogen. Imogen heeds their warning and looks up to see the masked figure push Karen to her death. The girls all receive a text message from "A", who killed Karen for being a bully and orders them to keep their mouth shut.
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| 3 | 3 | "Chapter Three: Aftermath" | Maggie Kiley | Michael Grassi & Evelyn Yves | July 28, 2022 (2022-07-28) | |||
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Shortly after the bloody incident, Imogen informs the girls that a masked figure pushed Karen to death, and they reveal to have also seen the figure. Scared to tell the truth, Kelly suggests to Tom that Karen may have committed suicide due to the embarrassing video. An angered Tom is determined to punish the girls. Imogen discovers a news about Angela Waters, a teenager whose body was found days after her death in 1999, in an abandoned warehouse. She visits the warehouse, and soon the masked creeper arrives. While revisiting the warehouse with Tabby, Sidney arrives and explains what happened to Angela the night of the rave, but lies about other details. Noa tries to convince Faran and Mouse to blame Karen's death on Imogen and Tabby after the Sheriff harassed her, but eventually sides with them. Noa reveals to Shawn that she took the blame for her mother's drug use. After telling her father the truth, Kelly meets with Imogen and apologizes for her actions, blaming herself for Karen's death. The Little Liars visit Karen's grave with their own personal messages for her, as the masked creeper is watching them from his van.
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| 4 | 4 | "Chapter Four: The (Fe)male Gaze" | Lisa Soper | Eleanor Jean & Jenina Kibuka | August 4, 2022 (2022-08-04) | |||
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In 1999, Marjorie convinces Angela to smoke, but blames her when they got caught and later gives her a friendship doll. In 2022, Marjorie receives the same doll with taunting messages. Tabby and Chip partner for a film project, recreating the shower scene from Psycho and asked Faran & Greg to act. Greg's actions during filming triggered Tabby, who has blurry visions about a party in the woods. Faran begins to believe that Kelly is actually Karen and asked Henry to investigate, since Karen would have a scar on her foot due to the razor blade put on her shoes. During a visit by Sheriff Beasley to the Olivars' apartment, he finds drugs and Marjorie quickly blames it on Noa, who managed to swerve. Later, the masked creeper chases Noa on the building and forces her to "punish the guilty". She reluctantly called the hospital and told them Marjorie has been stealing drugs.
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| 5 | 5 | "Chapter Five: The Night He Came Home" | Lisa Soper | Katie Avery & Alexis Scheer | August 4, 2022 (2022-08-04) | |||
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In Halloween 1999, Davie and her friends convinces Angela to throw dog feces into a house, but they leave her. After hearing Noa's story, Imogen is more convinced that Angela is connected to "A" and her mother's death. Tabby is angered by Chip who finished their project without her, since she wants it to be taken from the female gaze; he apologizes and offers to reshoot the scene together. Henry tells Faran that Kelly indeed has the scar Karen would have, convincing her even more that Kelly is actually Karen. However, Madame Giry reveals that Kelly has self-harmed in the past and a regretful Faran tries to befriend her. Unwilling to sell her house due to unanswered questions, Imogen plans to throw a fundraising Halloween party. At work, Tabby is harassed by a jock and fellow student, Tyler, who later harasses Minnie at Imogen's party. The masked creeper, who has been lurking around Imogen's house, wears the mask Angela wore in 1999 and brutally kills Tyler. After witnessing Kelly making out with Greg, Faran confronts Kelly and again, accuses her of being Karen. Mouse meets with Steve whose daughter, Rachel is missing and roleplays as her. After the party, Tabby and Imogen reveal to each other that they both have been sexually assaulted.
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| 6 | 6 | "Chapter Six: Scars" | Cierra "Shooter" Glaudé | Pamela Garcia Rooney & Danielle Iman | August 11, 2022 (2022-08-11) | |||
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Tabby recounts the night she was drugged and raped but reveals to Imogen that she does not know the identify of the assailant. Imogen also confides that her pregnancy was a result of being raped the night of Karen's party but does not remember due to being heavily intoxicated. The two meet with Joseph England, a former classmate of their mothers, and learn that Angela's mother, Rose, was committed to Radley Sanitarium after Angela's suicide. After further investigating, they learn that Angela was raped and that Rose was visited by Sidney, Davie, Elodie, Marjorie, Corey, and a sixth unknown person. Meanwhile, Noa fails to convince Marjorie to attend rehab and Steve begins stalking Mouse. Faran and Corey's relationship is further strained after they both receive messages from "A" that reveal Faran's corrective scoliosis surgery was not necessary.
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| 7 | 7 | "Chapter Seven: Carnival of Souls" | Alex Sanjiv Pillai | Daniel G. King & Neil McNeil | August 11, 2022 (2022-08-11) | |||
| 8 | 8 | "Chapter Eight: Bad Blood" | Megan Griffiths | Michael Grassi & Stasia Demick | August 18, 2022 (2022-08-18) | |||
| 9 | 9 | "Chapter Nine: Dead and Buried" | Roxanne Benjamin | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring | August 18, 2022 (2022-08-18) | |||
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| 10 | 10 | "Chapter Ten: Final Girls" | Lisa Soper | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring & Michael Grassi | August 18, 2022 (2022-08-18) | |||
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| No. overall | No.in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [6] | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "Chapter Eleven: Spookyspaghetti.com" | Maggie Kiley | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring | May 9, 2024 (2024-05-09) | T72.10201 |
| 12 | 2 | "Chapter Twelve: Summer Lovin" | Maggie Kiley | Michael Grassi | May 9, 2024 (2024-05-09) | T72.10202 |
| 13 | 3 | "Chapter Thirteen: Sweet Sixteen" | Roxanne Benjamin | Sara Saedi | May 16, 2024 (2024-05-16) | T72.10203 |
| 14 | 4 | "Chapter Fourteen: When a Stranger Calls Back" | Roxanne Benjamin | Danielle Iman | May 23, 2024 (2024-05-23) | T72.10204 |
| 15 | 5 | "Chapter Fifteen: Friday the 13th" | Alex Sanjiv Pillai | Katie Avery | May 30, 2024 (2024-05-30) | T72.10205 |
| 16 | 6 | "Chapter Sixteen: Hell House" | Alex Sanjiv Pillai | Delondra Mesa | June 6, 2024 (2024-06-06) | T72.10206 |
| 17 | 7 | "Chapter Seventeen: The Bogeyman" | Rob Seidenglanz | Jenina Kibuka | June 13, 2024 (2024-06-13) | T72.10207 |
| 18 | 8 | "Chapter Eighteen: Final Exam" | Rob Seidenglanz | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring | June 20, 2024 (2024-06-20) | T72.10208 |
On September 2, 2020, it was announced that a new Pretty Little Liars series was in development at Warner Bros., with Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa taking over as showrunner from I. Marlene King.[15] Original Sin takes place within the same continuity as the previous television series, but follows new characters and storylines in a new setting.[16][2]
On September 24, 2020, HBO Max gave the series a direct-to-series order of 10 episodes and was named Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, with Aguirre-Sacasa teaming up with Lindsay Calhoon Bring to develop the series.[17] Aguirre-Sacasa also executive produces the series alongside King, Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo. Production companies involved with the series are Muckle Man Productions, Alloy Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television.[18][19]
On September 7, 2022, HBO Max renewed the series for a second season, retitled as Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.[4][5]
In July 2021, Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, and Bailee Madison were cast on starring roles.[20][21] In August 2021, Zaria, Malia Pyles, Alex Aiono, Mallory Bechtel, and Eric Johnson joined the main cast.[22][23] In September 2021, Carson Rowland, Jordan Gonzalez, Ben Cook, Elias Kacavas, Benton Greene, Lea Salonga, Sharon Leal, Carly Pope, Elena Goode, and Zakiya Young were cast in recurring roles.[24][25] In November 2021, Cristala Carter, Derek Klena, Kate Jennings Grant, Robert Stanton, Jennifer Ferrin, Lilla Crawford, Brian Altemus, Anthony Ordonez, and Jeffrey Bean joined the cast in recurring capacities.[26] In December 2021, Ava DeMary, Kristen Maxwell, and Gabriella Pizzolo were cast in recurring roles.[27] In November 2022, Gonzalez was promoted as a series regular for the second season.[5] In April 2023, Elias Kacavas had been promoted to a series regular for the second season.[13] In the same month, it was reported that Annabeth Gish would reprise her role as Dr. Anne Sullivan from the original series.[14]
The series was set to film at Upriver Studios in Saugerties, New York, in mid to late 2021.[28] Filming began on August 23, 2021, in the city of Hudson, New York, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[29][30] Filming wrapped on May 2, 2022.[31]
The series' second season began filming in April 2023.[32] In May 2023, it was reported that filming for the second season has been delayed due to the writers strike.[33] However, after a deal was reached on September 27, along with the actors strike on November 9, filming for the second season resumed later that same month and wrapped on December 8, 2023.[34]
Film composer Joseph Bishara was hired to do the series' score.[35] He is known for his work in horror movies, including the Insidious film series and The Conjuring franchise.[35] A remix version of "Secret" by the Pierces appeared in the opening sequence.[36][37] The original song was previously used as the opening theme in the original Pretty Little Liars, while Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists used a cover version by Denmark + Winter.
The series premiered on July 28, 2022, with the first three episodes available, followed by two more episodes each on August 4 and 11, and then the final three episodes on August 18.[3] The second season, subtitled Summer School was released on May 9, 2024, with two new episodes, followed by a new episode on a weekly basis until the season finale on June 20, 2024.[6]
The first season, Original Sin, was met with critical acclaim from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 90% approval rating with an average rating of 7.1/10, based on 20 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Boasting a tantalizing new mystery along with a refreshingly grounded crop of pretty little liars, Original Sin is a gossipy good time."[38] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 82 out of 100 based on five critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[39]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds an approval rating of 88% with an average rating of 7.3/10, based on eight critic reviews.[40] On Metacritic, the second season received a score of 78 based on four critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[41]
Bailee Madison's performance was praised by critics.
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