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The Complete List: Every Character Who Was 'A' On Pretty Little Liars, Explained

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The identity of "A" is the mystery that launched a thousand theories, countless text messages, and seven seasons of high-stakes drama for the Liars of Rosewood. As of today, December 22, 2025, the question of "Who was A on PLL?" has a surprisingly complex answer, spanning multiple characters and even a spin-off series.

The original series, Pretty Little Liars, featured not one, but three main antagonists who took on the terrifying moniker of "A" or its successors, each with their own twisted motives and elaborate schemes. Understanding the full scope of the A-Team requires a deep dive into the show's most shocking reveals, from the initial culprit to the final, devastating twin twist.

The Main 'A' Villains: Character Profiles and Actor Biographies

The "A" saga in the original Pretty Little Liars series was broken into three distinct eras, each led by a different antagonist. Here is a look at the three main villains and the talented actresses who brought them to life, along with the "A" from the spin-off, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.

  • Mona Vanderwaal (The Original 'A')

    • Character: Mona Vanderwaal was the very first person to torment Aria Montgomery, Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin, and Emily Fields. Her reveal in the Season 2 finale, "UnmAsked," was one of the most satisfying and shocking moments of the entire series. Her motive stemmed from a desire for revenge against the Liars for stealing Hanna away and for Alison DiLaurentis's previous bullying. Mona's genius-level intellect and emotional instability made her a formidable first villain.

    Actor: Janel Meilani Parrish

    Born: October 30, 1988

    Key Role: Starred as Mona Vanderwaal from 2010–2017 and reprised the role in the spin-off Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists.

  • Charlotte DiLaurentis (Big 'A' / CeCe Drake)

    • Character: Charlotte DiLaurentis, who went by the alias CeCe Drake, was revealed as "Big A" and the mastermind behind the bulk of the Liars' torment from Seasons 3 through 6A. Born as Charles DiLaurentis, she transitioned to Charlotte and was Alison's cousin (later revealed to be her sister, a detail that was retconned). Her reign of terror was driven by a deep resentment and a twisted desire to "punish" the Liars for being happy about Alison's disappearance.

    Actor: Vanessa Ray

    Key Role: Played Charlotte DiLaurentis/CeCe Drake, appearing from 2013 onwards. She is also known for her role on the CBS series Blue Bloods.

  • Alex Drake (Uber 'A' / A.D.)

    • Character: Alex Drake, known as "A.D." or "Uber A," was the final and most dangerous antagonist, revealed in the series finale. The ultimate twist was that Alex was Spencer Hastings’ identical twin sister, who was secretly adopted into a wealthy British family. Her motive was rooted in jealousy and a desire to avenge Charlotte's death and take over Spencer's life, fueled by her manipulative friend Wren Kingston.

    Actor: Troian Bellisario

    Key Role: Played both Spencer Hastings and her twin, Alex Drake, showcasing her incredible range in the show's final season.

  • Archie Waters ('A' in Original Sin)

    • Character: In the HBO Max spin-off Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, the "A" identity was revealed to be Archie Waters. His actions were tied to a revenge plot against the mothers of the new group of Liars, focusing on a dark history from 1999. This "A" was a more brutal, slasher-movie-inspired killer, a departure from the original series' text-messaging tormentor.

The Evolution of 'A': From Cyberbully to Slasher Villain

The concept of "A" was a masterstroke of mystery-thriller television, constantly evolving to keep the audience guessing. The original "A" started simply as a cyberbully, but the role quickly escalated into a complex criminal enterprise known as the A-Team.

Mona's Era: The Original Game

Mona Vanderwaal’s time as "A" (Seasons 1-2) set the foundation for the entire series. Her methods were primarily psychological, using the Liars' secrets—like Aria's relationship with Ezra Fitz, Hanna's shoplifting, and Spencer's family drama—to manipulate them. Her reveal was pivotal because it showed "A" was not some shadowy figure from Alison's past but one of their closest friends. Mona was driven by a sense of betrayal and the desire to become the "It Girl" that Alison had prevented her from being.

After her identity was exposed, she was institutionalized at the Radley Sanitarium, but the game did not stop. In a crucial moment, she was visited by a mysterious figure in a red coat, signaling that someone else had taken over the mantle of "A." This marked the beginning of the "Big A" phase.

Charlotte's Era: Big 'A' and The Dollhouse

Charlotte DiLaurentis (CeCe Drake) took the game to a terrifying new level. Her tenure as "Big A" (Seasons 3-6A) was marked by escalating violence and elaborate, almost cinematic schemes. The most infamous was the "Dollhouse" plot, where she kidnapped the Liars and forced them to play out her twisted games in a meticulously constructed replica of their bedrooms.

The reveal of Charlotte's identity, including her backstory as Charles DiLaurentis and her transgender journey, was the central plot twist for the middle of the series. While controversial among some fans, it provided a dramatic, if convoluted, explanation for the years of torment. Charlotte's "A-Team" was extensive, including characters like Toby Cavanaugh and Spencer's friend Caleb Rivers at different points, though many were coerced or had ulterior motives.

Alex Drake's Era: The Final 'A.D.' Showdown

Following Charlotte's death, the final villain, "A.D." (or Uber A), emerged in Seasons 6B and 7. This "A" was even more sophisticated, using advanced technology and a complex board game, "The Liars' Lament," to continue the torment. The reveal of Alex Drake as A.D. was the show's final, biggest shock, tying the entire mystery back to the Hastings family bloodline.

Alex's story was one of abandonment and resentment. She was discovered by Wren Kingston in London and introduced to Charlotte, who told her about Spencer and the Liars. Her goal was to step into Spencer's perfect life, fueled by her grief over Charlotte's death and a sense of entitlement. The A.D. reveal cemented the idea that the Liars' secrets were not just local drama, but part of a generational curse of deception and hidden twins.

The New Generation: 'A' in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

When the franchise was rebooted with Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, the creative team opted for a fresh, darker take on the "A" concept. The new "A" was a figure named Archie Waters, whose identity was tied directly to the tragic events of 1999 involving the mothers of the new Liars.

This version of "A" was less about text messages and more about physical, brutal revenge, drawing inspiration from classic horror films. The new series successfully recaptured the suspense and fear of the original, proving that the concept of a masked, anonymous tormentor remains a compelling entity in the world of mystery television. The reveal of Archie Waters, and the deeper connection to his father, Mr. Beasley, provided a closed-loop, satisfying—and terrifying—conclusion to the first season of the spin-off.

Ultimately, the question "Who was A on PLL?" has become a trick question. It’s not just one person, but a lineage of complex, emotionally scarred, and brilliant villains—Mona, Charlotte, and Alex—who defined a generation of mystery television, proving that in Rosewood, no secret ever truly stays buried.

The Complete List: Every Character Who Was 'A' on Pretty Little Liars, Explained
who was a on pll
who was a on pll

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