The ensemble of Pretty Little Liars, an image courtesy of Freeform, strikes a pose. Over seven spellbinding seasons, Pretty Little Liars unfurled a tale of intrigue, laced with mystery and revenge, as a shadowy figure threatened to unveil four friends’ darkest secrets following their leader’s mysterious vanishing. Since its 2010 debut on Freeform (originally ABC Family), this series, inspired by Sara Shepard’s novels, continued to enthrall with a sequel, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, weaving new tales with fresh faces.
Top 10: Toby (Keegan Phillip Allen)
Keegan Allen embodies Toby, Jenna’s older stepbrother, entangled in a web of blackmail, false accusations, and dark alliances. Despite initial mistrust, Toby’s journey from a suspected villain to a Rosewood policeman and a doting husband marks him as a complex character whose silence veils a deep capacity for love and protection.
Top 9: Jenna Marshall (Tammin Sursok)
Jenna, portrayed by Tammin Sursok, stands as the Liars’ formidable adversary, forever altered by “the Jenna Thing.” Despite her blindness and the Liars’ treachery, Jenna’s cunning and desire for control make her a riveting presence, her layers of complexity enriched by her manipulations and eventual, ambiguous forgiveness.
Top 8: Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario)
Troian Bellisario brings to life Spencer, the brainy beacon among the Liars. Born of a scandalous lineage yet raised amidst privilege, Spencer’s intelligence, leadership, and heart define her. Her journey, fraught with personal demons and revelations, underscores her indispensable role within the group.
Top 7: Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell)
Shay Mitchell’s Emily, the athlete with a heart of gold, navigates the turbulent waters of identity and loyalty. Her strength lies not just in physical prowess but in her unwavering support for her friends and her journey towards self-acceptance, marking her as a beacon of kindness and courage.
Top 6: Lucas Gottesman (Brendan Robinson)
Lucas, enacted by Brendan Robinson, transitions from a bullied schoolboy to a tech magnate with a shadowy past. His complexity stems from his nerdy charm and his descent into the darker corridors of the A Team, illustrating the profound effects of teenage cruelty.
Top 5: Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale)
Lucy Hale’s Aria, the artistic soul, navigates her tumultuous world with creativity and style. Her journey intertwines with secrets, lies, and forbidden love, showcasing her resilience and sometimes flawed decision-making, as she grapples with the shades of gray in morality.
Top 4: Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse)
Sasha Pieterse’s Alison, the queen bee whose disappearance ignites the series, evolves from a manipulative teen to a figure seeking redemption. Her mastery of secrets and manipulation sets the stage for the series’ central mysteries, her character arc reflecting the consequences of power and redemption.
Top 3: Caleb Rivers (Tyler Blackburn)
Tyler Blackburn’s Caleb, the quintessential bad boy with a golden heart, emerges from a troubled past to become a crucial ally to the Liars. His technical savvy, loyalty, and love story with Hanna cement his place as a beloved character, embodying the theme of found family and redemption.
Top 2: Mona Vanderwaal (Janel Parrish)
Janel Parrish’s Mona, from bullied to mastermind, remains one of the series’ most enigmatic figures. Her intelligence, coupled with a desire for acceptance, propels her into the role of “A,” a path marked by redemption and darkness, making her endlessly fascinating.
Top 1: Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson)
Ashley Benson’s Hanna, the transformed “Hefty Hanna” to fashionista and loyal friend, stands at the pinnacle of this list. Her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and protective nature, especially towards Emily, embodies the series’ heart—friendship amidst adversity, making her the ultimate Pretty Little Liar.
In the labyrinth of ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ these characters stood out not just for their roles in the tapestry of mystery but for their vivid portrayal of human complexity, making Rosewood’s drama undeniably compelling.
