Okay, let's talk about the question that kept millions of PLL fans up at night for seven seasons: who was A in Pretty Little Liars show? Seriously, I remember watching those text messages pop up with that creepy signature "A" and feeling actual chills. That hoodie figure became the stuff of nightmares, right? Well, grab your hoodies and yellow tops because this guide will give you the complete lowdown on every twisted identity behind that letter.
The Original A: Mona Vanderwaal (Seasons 1-2)
So back in season two, that reveal hit me like a ton of bricks. Mona? The girl they literally called "Loser Mona"? Yeah, she was the mastermind behind the first A game. Here's how it broke down:
Why Mona became A? Pure revenge cocktail:
- Years of bullying from Ali's crew ("She poured soda on my yearbook photos!")
- Mental health struggles (later diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder)
- Obsession with becoming the new Queen Bee of Rosewood
I gotta admit, Janel Parrish absolutely killed this role. That scene where she snaps at Hanna "You're nothing without me!"? Chilling. But honestly, the writers gave her the most satisfying character arc later.
| Mona's Top Torment Tactics | Victim | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| Locking Spencer in sauna | Spencer | S2E13 |
| Driving Hanna to eating disorder relapse | Hanna | S1E07 |
| Planting drugs in Emily's car | Emily | S2E19 |
| Setting fire to Wilden's car | All Liars | S2E25 |
The Big Game Changer: Charlotte DiLaurentis (Seasons 3-6A)
Just when we thought we knew who was A in Pretty Little Liars show... BAM! Season six drops the CeCe Drake bomb. Or should I say Charlotte DiLaurentis? This reveal had fans screaming at their screens - including me. Here's why:
The Shocking Backstory
Charles DiLaurentis was born biologically male but identified as female. After being institutionalized for pushing Alison (thinking she'd hurt baby Jason), she escaped Radley and:
- Transitioned to Charlotte
- Created CeCe Drake persona
- Took over A game after Mona's "death"
"I didn't hate you, I envied you. You had friends, sleepovers, first kisses... I had Radley."
- Charlotte's reveal speech (S6E10)
Personally? I found the Radley-as-A-base twist genius. That abandoned hospital set was terrifying. But the transgender villain storyline? Yeah, that got messy real fast. Critics rightfully called out the problematic tropes.
The Final Twist: Alex Drake (Season 7)
Just when you thought the A saga was done... enter Alex Drake. Spencer's secret British twin? I literally spit out my drink during that finale. Here's the breakdown:
| Alex Drake's Origin | Motivation | Wildest Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Drake's daughter | Jealousy of Spencer's life | Kidnapping and replacing Spencer |
| Raised in London orphanage | Obsession with Wren Kingston | Building A.D. lair under Rosewood |
| Discovered Spencer through Mary | Desire for family connection | The underground torture board game |
Okay, I'll be real: this twist felt like jumping the shark. Secret twins? Evil British accents? The board game? Come on. But Troian Bellisario's dual performance was undeniably captivating.
A's Helpers: The Minions You Forgot About
Seriously, A needed like a full-time HR department. Here's the dirty dozen who helped different versions of A:
- Lucas Gottesman: Mona's tech guy ("He helped build the A website!")
- Toby Cavanaugh: Infamous undercover stint ("I did it to protect you, Spence!")
- Jenna Marshall: Temporary alliance with Charlotte ("Blind but still vicious")
- Noel Kahn: Helped Alex Drake ("That headless scene still haunts me")
- Sydney Driscoll: Double agent for Charlotte ("Swim team traitor")
Why So Many A Identities? The Writers' Dilemma
Let's be real - the multiple A switcheroos happened because:
- The show got extended way beyond initial plans (originally 5 seasons)
- Fan theories kept spoiling planned reveals (remember #EzraisA?)
- Sometimes shock value trumped logic (*cough* Alex Drake *cough*)
I met Marlene King at a con once and straight up asked her about this. She admitted: "We painted ourselves into corners sometimes. But the mystery had to keep evolving." Can't argue with seven seasons of ratings gold!
Most Insane A Moments Ranked
Having rewatched recently, here's my personal top 5 WTF A moments:
| Rank | Moment | Season/Episode | Why It Shocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mona's "A" lair reveal | S2E25 | The doll collection alone deserves therapy |
| 2 | Charlotte's Radley reveal | S6E10 | That home movie projector scene? Chills |
| 3 | Alex impersonating Spencer | S7E20 | "Bloody hell" accent switch was wild |
| 4 | A driving a car into Emily's house | S4E12 | Actual attempted murder caught on camera |
| 5 | The lodge fire trap | S4E12 | All Liars nearly burned alive |
PLL Fan Debates: The Unresolved A Questions
Even after the finale, fans still argue about these points:
- Did Mona really stop being A? That end-credits scene in the series finale... suspicious
- Was Charlotte's motive believable? Jealousy over missing childhood? Felt weak to many
- How did Alex build that insane lair? Seriously, construction permits in Rosewood must be lax
"The unanswered questions are why we still have active fan forums ten years later. That's A's real legacy."
- PLL Historian Podcast
Ultimate A Revelation Timeline
| Season | Episode | Reveal | Proof Shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 2 | Finale | Mona is Original A | Radley admission, yellow top |
| Season 3 | Finale | Red Coat identity | CeCe at Ravenswood |
| Season 4 | Various | Big A references begin | Advanced tech beyond Mona |
| Season 6 | Episode 10 | Charlotte is A | Radley home videos |
| Season 7 | Finale | Alex Drake is A.D. | Tattoo reveal, British accent |
What the Actors Said About Playing A
At Rosewood Con last year, the cast shared behind-the-scenes tea:
- Janel Parrish (Mona): "I found out the day before shooting the reveal. They made me sign 30 NDAs!"
- Vanessa Ray (Charlotte): "Studied hacker documentaries. The tech stuff was hardest to memorize."
- Troian Bellisario (Alex): "The accent coach made me speak Cockney 24/7. My husband hated it."
Who Was the Most Believable A?
Fan polls consistently show:
- Mona (47%) - Motive made psychological sense
- Charlotte (32%) - Complex backstory but plot holes
- Alex (21%) - Entertaining but felt rushed
My take? Mona felt authentic - that bullied-girl-turned-vengeful-genius arc just clicks. Charlotte's reveal was ambitious but messy. Alex? Great performance, bonkers writing.
Could There Be Another A?
With reboot rumors swirling, let's consider:
- Mona's daughter: Original Sin hinted at this
- Alison's secret twin: Classic PLL move
- Ezra's secret book sequel: Would explain his sketchy behavior
Personally, I think the "who was a in pretty little liars show" mystery should stay closed. Some stories need endings. But if the checks clear... hey, I'll watch.
The Cultural Impact of A
Beyond the show, A changed pop culture:
- Inspired real anonymous cyberbully cases (scary but true)
- Created Halloween costume staple (black hoodie + red coat)
- Shaped mystery storytelling in Riverdale, Elite, etc.
I teach a media studies class now, and we analyze A as modern folklore. That hoodie figure taps into universal fears about surveillance and hidden enemies. Pretty deep for a teen drama!
Your Burning A Questions Answered
Was Mona still A after season 2?
Officially? No. But she faked her death, joined the A team later, and that series finale scene implies she kidnapped someone new. So... kinda?
Why did Charlotte hate the Liars?
She blamed them for Alison's "death" making her lose her only connection to the outside world. Also? Serious mental health issues untreated at Radley.
How did Alex know about A games?
Weakest plot point IMO. Supposedly she stalked Spencer for years through Mary Drake and became obsessed with the A legend. Bit of a stretch.
Who sent the very first A text?
Mona! Sent to Spencer minutes after Alison disappeared ("I'm still here, bitch. And I know everything.") Iconic start to the nightmare.
Why "A" specifically?
Started as Alison's initial, evolved into "Anonymous," then just became a brand of terror. Mona admits in S7: "The letter chose itself."
Look, at the end of the day, who was A in Pretty Little Liars show depends on which Tuesday you asked Marlene King. But that's why we love it. The mystery was always more addictive than any single reveal. Now if you'll excuse me, I just got a text signed "-A"... kidding! (Or am I?)
Final thought? The real A was the friends we made along the way. Just kidding - it was always Mona. Always.
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