After months of speculation, it has finally been revealed that 'Pretty Little Liars' stars Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish will reprise their roles in a spin-off show titled 'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists'. Freeform, the network that will air the pilot of the show stated that, "we are committed to deliver shows that push boundaries and become a part of our viewers' lives." Karey Burke, executive vice president of programming and development at Freeform also added, "'Pretty Little Liars' was a cultural phenomenon so it's no wonder fans wanted more". "We can't wait to continue Marlene King's rich and revolutionary storytelling with a new crop of leading ladies from Beacon Heights who will hold just as many secrets and lies as Rosewood did".
Marlene King will return as showrunner for the series, adapting the novels by Sara Shepard, along with Leslie Morgenstein (also from 'Pretty Little Liars'), and Gina Girolamo ('The 100'). At the moment, Freeform has only requested the pilot episode of the series, but taking into account the eagerness with which fans are awaiting the mystery the show promises, we're sure it won't be long before it is accepted for a full season. King's enthusiasm highlights how she's not the least bit tired of writing for the small screen. "I'm beyond excited... I can't wait to introduce our fans - and Sasha and Janel - to a new world of thrills and chills in Beacon Heights".
King let drop the possibility of a spin-off show in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back June, where she mentioned, "there might be some truth" to the rumours circulating at the time. King continued, "my hands are tied and I'm not allowed to talk about it just yet." For now however, 'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists' joins a chain that developed other shows filling a gap in the market first discovered by 'Pretty Little Liars', followed by 'Famous in Love' and 'Shadowhunters'.
What awaits us in Beacon Heights?
Along with confirmation of the show, Freeform released a statement hinting at what we might see in the new series: "Everything about the town of Beacon Heights seems perfect, from their top-tier college to their overachieving residents. But nothing in Beacon Heights is as it appears to be. The stress of needing to be perfect leads to the town's first murder. Behind every Perfectionist is a secret, a lie and a needed alibi."
Mystery, secrets, murder... it's clearly a 'Pretty Little Liars' spin-off, and not only because Pieterse and Parrish will be reprising their roles. The two are clearly ecstatic about returning to the world of the liars, with Pieterse uploading this post to her Instagram, and Parrish sharing her enthusiasm on her own account.
Who can't wait to find out what's in store for us in Beacon Heights?
