It’s been nearly a decade since the black hoodies were retired. Honestly, it’s wild. We all grew up watching the "Liars" scramble through Rosewood, dodging text messages from a masked psychopath, yet here we are in 2026 and the actress of Pretty Little Liars—well, the whole core group, really—is more relevant than ever.
You’d think a teen drama from the early 2010s would have faded into the "where are they now" bin. Nope. Not this crew.
From Troian Bellisario directing major network procedurals to Shay Mitchell basically owning the travel industry, the transition from teen stars to industry powerhouses has been a masterclass in career pivoting. It’s not just about the nostalgia. It’s about how they’ve managed to outlive the show’s complicated (and sometimes questionable) plot twists to become genuine entrepreneurs and respected creators.
Troian Bellisario: From Spencer Hastings to Director Extraordinaire
Spencer was always the smartest person in the room. It turns out, Troian is too. While most fans remember her for the breakdown in Radley or that chaotic twin reveal, she’s spent the last few years cementing herself behind the camera.
Just this year, in early 2026, Troian has been making waves for her directorial work. She isn't just a guest director anymore; she's a staple. Following her work on the Dick Wolf procedural On Call, where she played Det. Traci Harmon, she’s shifted her focus heavily toward the director’s chair.
She recently stepped in to direct a pivotal episode of The Rookie (specifically episode 8.13), which has fans of the show raving about her visual style. It’s a huge jump. Most actors try to direct and fail. Troian, being the daughter of industry legend Donald P. Bellisario, seemingly has it in her DNA. She isn't just taking roles; she's shaping how stories are told.
The Lucy Hale Evolution: Why the "Aria" Typecast Never Stuck
People expected Lucy Hale to stay the "quirky girl with the feathers in her hair" forever. She didn't.
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Lucy has become the undisputed queen of the mid-budget rom-com and the holiday movie. It’s a smart niche. While others chase Oscars, Lucy builds a loyal, massive audience that shows up for every single project.
Take her latest 2026 project, The Twelve Dates of Christmas. It’s a festive romantic comedy where she plays Christina Walker, a shop owner trying to find love in a 12-week dating gauntlet. But the kicker? She’s reunited with Ian Harding (Ezra Fitz). Yeah, Ezria fans actually lost their minds when the casting was announced.
She’s also got some heavier stuff in the pipeline, like the sci-fi thriller White Mars, proving she’s not afraid to get weird with it. Lucy basically has the work ethic of a marathon runner. She just does not stop.
Shay Mitchell and the Business of Being "Emily"
Shay Mitchell is the blueprint for the modern multi-hyphenate. Honestly, if you look at her Instagram, you’d barely know she was an actress first.
She’s built a literal empire. Her travel brand, BÉIS, is everywhere. You can't walk through an airport in 2026 without seeing one of her weekender bags. And she didn't just slap her name on it; she’s the Chief Brand Officer.
In late 2025, she even launched a skincare line called Rini, specifically targeting Gen Alpha. It’s science-backed and Korean-made, showing she knows exactly where the market is moving. On the screen, she’s been executive producing The Cleaning Lady, which ran through 2025, and she still pops up in voice roles like Trese on Netflix.
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She’s living proof that being a "pretty little liar" was just a launchpad for being a CEO.
Ashley Benson and Sasha Pieterse: The New Chapter
Ashley Benson (Hanna Marin) has taken a quieter, more curated path. She’s focused heavily on indie film and motherhood. Just a few days ago, on January 8, 2026, she was spotted at the Los Angeles premiere of The Chronology of Water. She’s leaning into these darker, more artistic roles that are a far cry from the fashion-forward Hanna we knew.
Then there’s Sasha Pieterse.
Sasha was only 13 when the pilot filmed. Imagine that. In 2026, she’s the celebrity host for the 31st edition of the LA Art Show. She’s using her platform for some heavy-hitting causes too, specifically working with the American Heart Association. She’s been very open about her struggles with PCOS and how that affects cardiovascular health.
It’s refreshing. She’s not just a face on a poster; she’s a woman with a mission.
Why the Original Liars Still Matter
The 2022 reboot, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (later Summer School), was canceled after two seasons. It was a good show, but it lacked the specific alchemy of the original cast. There’s a reason why, when you search for an actress of Pretty Little Liars, the names that pop up are still Troian, Lucy, Ashley, and Shay.
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They carried that show through seven seasons of "A" reveals and "A.D." nonsense.
Their success in 2026 isn't an accident. They’ve leaned into their strengths:
- Troian stayed technical and academic.
- Lucy became the girl next door we actually like.
- Shay became the lifestyle mogul.
- Ashley went the indie route.
- Sasha and Janel Parrish (who is currently starring in the AAPI-focused drama Bound For Glory) focused on storytelling and advocacy.
What to Watch for Next
If you want to keep up with the Liars in 2026, keep your eyes on these specific moves.
First, watch the credits of your favorite TV dramas. Troian Bellisario is becoming a "director to watch" in the industry, and she’s likely to land a feature film soon. Second, check out the holiday movie circuit—Lucy Hale has basically trademarked that space. Finally, if you're into the business side of things, Shay Mitchell's expansion of BÉIS into more permanent retail spaces is a case study in celebrity branding.
The mystery of Rosewood might be over, but the careers of these women are just getting started. They’ve managed to do the impossible: survive a teen drama and come out the other side as the ones calling the shots.
To follow their current journey, you should track the 2026 festival circuit for Ashley Benson's indie projects and keep an eye on Janel Parrish's production moves with Gold House, as they are actively reshaping AAPI representation in Hollywood right now.