The surprising real ages of the stars of 'Pretty Little Liars' compared to their teen characters

Sophia MitrokostasJun 9, 2020, 01:16 IST

Throughout the show's run, Shay Mitchell was in her 20s.Freeform/Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

Freeform's "Pretty Little Liars" is a teen mystery drama that aired from 2010 to 2017.
The show's main characters were teens, but many of the actors who played them were well past their teenage years at the time.
Some actors were about a decade older than their characters, including Bianca Lawson, who played 16-year-old Maya St. Germain.

Freeform's series "Pretty Little Liars" was all about mysterious teens, but most of the actors who played them were actually in their 20s or 30s at the time.

The drama series aired from 2010 to 2017 and throughout its run, the show's cast was often playing characters who were multiple years their junior.

Here's how each of the teenage characters on "Pretty Little Liars" differ in age from the actors who play them.

Lucy Hale played 16-year-old Aria Montgomery when she was 20.

Lucy Hale was nearly 21 when the show first aired. Freeform and Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Tyler Blackburn played teenager Caleb Rivers when he was 23 years old.

Throughout his 20s, Tyler Blackburn played Caleb Rivers. Freeform/Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

Bianca Lawson was 31 when she played 16-year-old Maya St. Germain.

Bianca Lawson is now in her 40s. Freeform/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Troian Bellisario was 24 when she started her role as 16-year-old Spencer Hastings.

By the time the show ended, Troian Bellisario was in her 30s. Freeform/Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Keegan Allen was 20 years old when he first appeared as Toby Cavanaugh.

Toby Cavanaugh was said to be about 17 years old when "PLL" made its debut. Freeform/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Sasha Pieterse first played 15-year-old Alison DiLaurentis when she was 13.

This is especially surprising when you look at the age of the other leading cast members. Freeform/Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Shay Mitchell was 23 when she portrayed 16-year-old Emily Fields.

Throughout the show's run, Shay Mitchell was in her 20s. Freeform/Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

Janel Parrish was 21 years old when she first played Mona Vanderwaal.

Janel Parish was actually a few years older than the teen she played on "Pretty Little Liars." Freeform/John Shearer/Invision for PUMA/AP Images

Ashley Benson was 20 years old when she portrayed 16-year-old Hannah Marin.

Ashley Benson was in her 20s throughout the show's run. Freeform/IS/MediaPunch /IPX

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