The main characters in Pretty Little Liars are the group known as "the Liars," consisting of Spencer Hastings, Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, Emily Fields, and Alison DiLaurentis.
- Spencer Hastings is the intelligent and ambitious "de facto leader" of the group, portrayed by Troian Bellisario
- Aria Montgomery , played by Lucy Hale, is the "alternative" one, known for her unique fashion and personality
- Hanna Marin , portrayed by Ashley Benson, is the "it girl" and diva of the group
- Emily Fields , played by Shay Mitchell, is the competitive swimmer and the "jock" of the group
- Alison DiLaurentis , portrayed by Sasha Pieterse, was the former "queen bee" whose disappearance sparks the series' events
The main antagonist known as "A" is a mysterious figure who stalks, blackmails, and manipulates the Liars. Over the course of the series, multiple characters take on the identity of "A":
- Mona Vanderwaal is revealed as the original "A" in seasons 1-2
- Charlotte DiLaurentis (CeCe Drake) takes over as "A" in seasons 3-6A
- Alex Drake , Spencer Hastings' identical twin, is revealed as "A.D." and the final "A" in seasons 6B-7
Thus, the identity of "A" changes throughout the series, with Mona, Charlotte, and Alex Drake being the primary characters behind the mask
. In summary:
- The main "Liars" are Spencer, Aria, Hanna, Emily, and Alison.
- The main antagonists "A" include Mona Vanderwaal, Charlotte DiLaurentis, and Alex Drake (Spencer's twin)
