When “Pretty Little Liars” premiered in 2010, it was a cultural phenomenon. With it, fans were immediately captivated by the mysteries and friendships of the Rosewood teens. However, one interesting tidbit that continues to pique the interest of fans is the age difference between the actors and the characters they played.
Troian Bellisario as Spencer Hastings
Troian Bellisario plays Spencer Hastings, the cynical perfectionist and wannabe detective. When the series started, Spencer was a 16-year-old junior in high school. Actually, when the show debuted, Troian Bellisario was 24. The age discrepancy aside, the maturity Troian brought to the role helped her convey Spencer’s intensity and intelligence quite convincingly.
Lucy Hale as Aria Montgomery
Since Halloween, viewers have been trying to channel Aria Montgomery through Lucy Hale’s artsy style and romantic storylines. Her journey in Rosewood started when Aria was only sixteen. Lucy Hale, however, was 21 when she began playing the role. It was a gap that would have had me rolling my eyes, but Lucy’s youthfulness and charisma sold Aria’s emotional ups and downs without rotating eyes.
Shay Mitchell as Emily Fields
The sweet and sporty Emily Fields was portrayed by Shay Mitchell, who wrestled with her identity throughout the series. The first season also had Emily also being around 16 years old. However, Shay Mitchell was 23 at the time when she played the role. Mackintosh captures Emily in all her vulnerability and strength, making the age gap seem less significant.
Ashley Benson as Hanna Marin
Ashley Benson as Hanna Marin, the fashionable and popular quote-unquote-it girl with a tender heart. Hanna was 16 when her arc started, but Ashley, in the series debut, was already 20. While Hanna underwent a classic arc from a shallow teen to a more grounded young woman, it was Ashley’s experience and poise that brought depth to her character.
Sasha Pieterse as Alison DiLaurentis
Alison DiLaurentis was the queen bee whose disappearance set the entire series into action, and her legacy certainly lives on in the role of Sasha Pieterse. Flashbacks showed Alison at 15 and she was a few years older when she came back. Interestingly, the youngest member of the main cast is Sasha Pieterse, who was only 14 when she was cast in her role. It was a brilliant piece of casting, giving Alison’s manipulative but weak personality a touch of credibility, given she is still young.
Ian Harding as Ezra Fitz
Ian Harding was the English teacher turned beau of Aria Montgomery, Ezra Fitz. The introduction of Ezra put him in his early twenties, which made him older than most of the teenage characters. But Ian Harding was 23 when the series began. The character’s age was well within the realms of a plot as it is clearly creaking with his suave nature and polished charms.
Keegan Allen as Toby Cavanaugh
Keegan Allen as Toby Cavanaugh, the misunderstood loner who proved to be one of the Liars’ most significant allies. At the start of the show, Toby was about 17. At the age of 21, Keegan Allen was cast in the role. His portrayal of Toby as brooding but protective hit the mark with viewers.
Age Differences in Teen Dramas
Teen dramas often have actors who are older than their characters. “Pretty Little Liars” definitely wasn’t a different case. Part of the solution is to cast older actors as teens, which allows production teams to work long hours and explore adult ideas. The cast was vital in being able to portray their younger selves. Even though the actors were older than their characters, fans still admired how much of a perfect fit they were for those roles.
