Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists is an American crime thrillermysterydrama television series created by I. Marlene King. The series is a sequel to Pretty Little Liars and was loosely based on the 2014 novel The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard. The show premiered on Freeform on March 20, 2019 and concluded on May 22, 2019. It is the second spin-off series of Pretty Little Liars and the third and final series in the Pretty Little Liars franchise. On September 27, 2019, Freeform canceled the series after one season.
Klea Scott as Dana Booker, a former FBI agent and new head of security at BHU
Garrett Wareing as Zach Fortson, Ava’s good friend who later becomes her new boyfriend.
Guest
Chris Mason as Nolan Hotchkiss, a born leader and heir to the Hotchkiss empire
Duffy Epstein as Ray Hogadorn, an employee of BHU
Phillip Rhys as Michael Jalali, Ava's fugitive father
Cycerli Ash as Senator Park-Lewis, one of Caitlin's two mothers
Production
In November 2014, I. Marlene King was announced to adapt a screenplay for Sara Shepard's novel series The Perfectionists, as the television series. It was later reworked as a sequel of the television showPretty Little Liars. On September 25, 2017, Freeform ordered a pilot for the series titled Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists and the second spin-off series following Ravenswood. On May 14, 2018, the network picked up the series for a 10-episode season. I. Marlene King wrote and Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum directed the first two episodes, which are titled "Pilot" and "Sex, Lies and Alibis". On February 5, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on March 20, 2019.
Casting
On September 25, 2017, Freeform announced that Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish had been cast to reprise their roles from mother seriesPretty Little Liars as Alison DiLaurentis and Mona Vanderwaal, respectively. On January 29, 2018, it was announced that Sofia Carson had been cast in the role of Ava, one of the series' protagonists. On March 9, 2018, Deadline Hollywood reported that Kelly Rutherford would be playing Claire Hotchkiss. It was also announced that Sydney Park would be playing Caitlin Park-Lewis, Eli Brown would be playing Dylan, Noah Gray-Cabey would be playing Mason, and Klea Scott would be playing Dana Booker. Hayley Erin was cast in a "mysterious, unnamed role".
Filming
On January 23, 2018, it was announced that the series would be filmed in Portland, Oregon. King confirmed on Twitter that filming would start in March 2018. Production started on February 27, 2018, with a table read for the pilot. Filming for the pilot started on March 12, 2018, and wrapped in the last week of the same month. Filming for the first season began on October 17, 2018 and wrapped on January 23, 2019.
Music
On May 19, 2018, Michael Suby was announced to compose the series, having previously scored both Pretty Little Liars and Ravenswood. A new version of The Pierces' "Secret" from Pretty Little Liars was performed by Denmark + Winter, serving as the theme song of the series. It was released by WaterTower Music on March 22, 2019.
Episodes
Reception
Critical response
On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 100% based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 7.87/10. The site's consensus reads: "Visually intriguing and deliciously provocative, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists effectively pays homage to its soapy forebear".
