We've got a secret: Can you keep it?
The Pretty Little Liars spin-off, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin is making its way to our small screens this summer. And in an E! News exclusive, we're giving you a first look at the series' mean girl, Karen Beasley.
Played by Mallory Bechtel, Karen is "Millwood High's reigning queen of mean," series showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told E! News. "At one point in time, she was a good friend to Imogen (Bailee Madison), but since their falling out, she has become a daily antagonist to our Little Liars."
Bechtel, who has appeared in FBI: Most Wanted and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—will join previously announced cast members including Madison, Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, Malia Pyles and Zaria.
The series—co-created by Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring—picks up miles from Rosewood, twenty years after a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. The brand-new generation of Little Liars "find themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant" according to the series description, "and made to pay for the secret sin their parents committed two decades ago...as well as their own."
But while we're getting a new set of liars, and inevitably, drama, we could potentially see some familiar faces from Pretty Little Liars, which aired from 2010 until 2017.
In an interview with E! News' Daily Pop back in August, Shay Mitchell—who played Emily Fields on the original series—said she would "never say never" about participating in the HBO Max series.
While we wait to meet the Queen Bee and the rest of the little liars, keep reading to learn everyone we know about Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin so far.
On Sept. 2 2020, we first got word that we would be getting a Pretty Little Liars reboot titled, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. A few weeks later, on Sept. 24, it was announced that the new series, created by Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa will stream on HBO Max.
The search for "A" will no longer occur in Rosewood, Pennsylvania, where the original series was set. This time, "A" will be causing trouble in a neighboring town, called Millwood.
According to the show's description, "twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped Millwood apart. Now, in the present day, a brand-new set of Little Liars finds themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant."
But before fans get nervous, don't fret as the series will take place in the same universe as Freeform's original Pretty Little Liars so we may get some cameos from our OG girls, including Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Emily (Shay Mitchell), Alison (Sasha Pieterse) Hanna (Ashley Benson) and Aria (Lucy Hale).
Chandler Kinney and Maia Reficco are set to star as two of the recurring Little Liars in the new series.
On July 27, 2021, it was announced that 22-year-old actress, Bailee Madison, known for her roles in Hallmark's Good Witch and Just Go With It, will be stepping into the role as a next generation liar named Imogen, who is "a true survivor," according to HBO Max.
The streamer teased, "Like all of the Liars, Imogen is a final girl. She will drive the mystery of uncovering 'A' as she fights for her life and the lives of her friends."
During her Aug. 3 appearance on E!'s Daily Pop, Shay said "never say never" about participating in the revival. Bailee Madison, a diehard fan of the original PLL, would love nothing more. "I just got goose bumps," Madison said. "It would be so special to have the original Liars on."
The feeling is mutual. Shay added that she's excited for Madison. "She's going to crush it. That was such a memorable moment in all of our lives, so I'm excited to see whatever happens and wherever they take it."
Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed on Aug. 10 that the cast and crew arrived in Upstate, NY to begin filming the series and shared a picture of the set.
"The first three of our fabulous PLLs have arrived in Upstate NY (aka Millwood, Pennsylvania) to start filming in a couple of weeks," Aguirre-Sacasa wrote on Instagram. "(More pics to come, as soon as we announce the rest of our stunning cast!) Their gorgeous smiles make ME smile. Enjoy the fun times for now, Ladies, the screaming starts on August 23rd."
On Dec. 10, TheWrap announced that Ava DeMary, Kristen Maxwell and Gabriella Pizzolo would be joining the cast of the reboot with recurring roles and that two of them will play teen versions of the Little Liars' parents.
DeMary will play teen Davie Able, Maxwell will play Teen Sidney Haworthe and Pizzolo will star as Angela Waters.
In a March 8 story by Entertainment Weekly, it was revealed that Mallory Bechtel will be playing the high school mean girl who feuds with Imogen (Bailee Madison), Minnie (Malia Pyles), Noa (Maia Reficco), Tabby (Chandler Kinney) and Faran (Zaria).
While the reboot will pay homage to the original, co-creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told EW that the new series will have an identity all its own.
"We very consciously said it didn't continue with the original characters," he said. "Honestly, the first series was so iconic. Trying to ask people to embrace a new Aria or a new Spencer felt like a losing proposition."
It was also revealed that Bailee Madison's character Imogen will be a "sugary-sweet teen mom," an added layer that will undoubtedly help the show stand out from its predecessor.
Fret not, PLL fans. "A" is alive and well.
"We wanted a new set of girls, a new town, a new set of secrets, and a new version of 'A,'" Aguirre-Sacasa said.
It wouldn't be Pretty Little Liars without a mysterious villain.