The third season of ''

Pretty Little Liars ''Pretty Little Liars'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery teen drama television series created by I. Marlene King, which aired on Freeform (TV channel), Freeform from June 8, 2010 to June 27, 2017, based on the novel series Pretty Little L ...

'', based on the books of the same name by

Sara Shepard Sara Shepard (born April 8, 1977) is an American author. She is known for the bestselling ''Pretty Little Liars (book series), Pretty Little Liars'' and ''The Lying Game (book series), The Lying Game'' book series, both of which have been turne ...

, premiered on June 5, 2012, on

ABC Family American cable television, cable and satellite television network Freeform (TV channel), Freeform was originally launched as the CBN Satellite Service on April 29, 1977, and has gone through four different owners and six different name changes dur ...

and concluded on March 19, 2013. On November 29, 2011, ABC Family renewed the series for a third season, consisting of 24 episodes. On October 4, 2012, ABC Family renewed the series for a fourth season, consisting of 24 episodes.

Overview

The third season takes place five months following the discovery that Mona Vanderwaal (

Janel Parrish Janel Meilani Parrish (born October 30, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She starred as Mona Vanderwaal in the mystery-drama television series ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2010–2017) and its spin-off ''Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionist ...

) was the elusive "A" that had been creatively and relentlessly tormenting the four main characters, Aria Montgomery (

Lucy Hale Karen Lucille Hale (born June 14, 1989) is an American actress and singer. She has received various accolades, including seven Teen Choice Awards (the most for any actress in a single series), a Gracie Awards, Gracie Award, a People's Choice Aw ...

), Spencer Hastings (

Troian Bellisario Troian Avery Bellisario (born October 28, 1985) is an American actress and filmmaker. The daughter of producer Donald P. Bellisario and actress Deborah Pratt, she first appeared in her father's film ''Last Rites'' (1988), at age three. After g ...

), Hanna Marin (

Ashley Benson Ashley Victoria Benson (born December 18, 1989) is an American actress and singer. Her accolades include four Teen Choice Awards, a Young Hollywood Award, as well as three People's Choice Award nominations. Benson began her career as a compet ...

), and Emily Fields (

Shay Mitchell Shannon Ashley Garcia "Shay" Mitchell (born April 10, 1987) is a Canadian actress and entrepreneur. She rose to prominence for her role as Emily Fields in the mystery thriller drama series ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2010–2017), which earned h ...

) for the past year. The first half of the season addresses the issue of whether or not Garrett Reynolds (

Yani Gellman Yani Gellman (born September 2, 1985) is a Canadian film and television actor, known for playing Paolo Valisari in ''The Lizzie McGuire Movie'', Garrett Reynolds in ''Pretty Little Liars'' and Diego Flores in '' 90210.'' Early life Gellman was ...

) actually killed or was involved in the murder of the girls' former friend and queen bee, Alison DiLaurentis (

Sasha Pieterse Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer (; born February 17, 1996) is a South African and American actress and singer. She is known for portraying Alison DiLaurentis in the Freeform (TV channel), Freeform series ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2010–2017), and its sp ...

) and who killed Maya St. Germain (

Bianca Lawson Bianca Lawson (born March 20, 1979) is an American actress. Lawson is known for her regular roles in the television series '' Saved by the Bell: The New Class'', '' Goode Behavior'', ''Pretty Little Liars'', and '' Rogue''. She has also had rec ...

) in the season two finale, while the second half deals with the reveal that Toby Cavanaugh (

Keegan Allen Keegan Phillip Allen (born July 22, 1989) is an American actor, photographer, author and musician known for his main role as Toby Cavanaugh on the Freeform (TV channel), Freeform series ''Pretty Little Liars.'' Early life Allen was born and r ...

) is a member of the A-Team. While dealing with Maya's death Emily finds comfort with Paige McCullers (

Lindsey Shaw Lindsey Shaw (born May 10, 1989) is an American actress. She is known for playing Jennifer "Moze" Mosely on the Nickelodeon series ''Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide''. She also co-starred in the 2007 CW sitcom ''Aliens in America'', a ...

) and the two enter a relationship. The girls see the arrival of CeCe Drake (

Vanessa Ray Vanessa Ray Liptak (born June 24, 1981) is an American actress. She is known for her roles on ''Pretty Little Liars'' as Charlotte Drake, on legal drama '' Suits'' as Jenny, on soap opera ''As the World Turns'' as Teri Ciccone, and on police dr ...

) to Rosewood, a sister like figure to Alison. Spencer discovering the information about Toby sends her on a dark path, until Mona fakes Toby's death, which sends Spencer completely over the edge, leading to her being admitted to Radley. All this time, the girls continue to see Red Coat, a mysterious blonde in a red trench coat who is believed to be the leader of the A-Team. Mona visits Spencer at Radley and offers her the chance to join the A-Team, which Spencer, who wants answers on Toby, accepts. Spencer is released from Radley and comes home, but is unbeknownst to the girls, working with Mona/"A" to set up a party so that Red Coat can meet them all. As promised, Mona arranges Spencer a meeting with Toby, who is alive and well and reveals that he joined the A-Team to keep Spencer safe. Spencer and Toby then begin working on the inside to discover Red Coat's identity at the party. Red Coat flies in on a plane and Spencer and Toby go into the woods to watch her, while the girls corner Mona, as someone locks them inside the Lodge and sets it on fire. Spencer loses Red Coat in the woods, as the Lodge burns down with the girls inside. Hanna, unconscious, wakes up briefly, as she is pulled out of the Lodge by Red Coat, whom she sees as Alison DiLaurentis.

Cast

Main cast

Spencer Hastings Spencer Jill Hastings is a fictional character, one of the five main characters who appear in the ''Pretty Little Liars'' novel series and its Freeform television adaptation. Created by American author Sara Shepard, she is a member of the gro ...

Hanna Marin Hanna Olivia Marin is a fictional character created by Sara Shepard for the ''Pretty Little Liars'' book series, and later developed for the Freeform television series adaptation by I. Marlene King. The character has also appeared in the spi ...

Tyler Blackburn Tyler Jordon Blackburn (born October 12, 1986) is an American actor, singer and model. He is best known for playing List of Pretty Little Liars characters#Caleb Rivers, Caleb Rivers on the hit Freeform (TV channel), Freeform series ''Pretty Little ...

as Caleb Rivers *

Holly Marie Combs Holly Marie Combs Ryan (born December 3, 1973) is an American actress and producer. Known for her work in television dramas, her career spans over four decades. Combs started her career in the 1980s with small roles on television soap operas a ...

as Ella Montgomery *

Aria Montgomery Aria Marie Fitz (ńee Montgomery) is a fictional character in the ''Pretty Little Liars'' franchise created by American author Sara Shepard. Described as an “alternative” and artsy teen, the franchise revolves around Aria and her three best fri ...

Ian Harding Ian Michael Harding is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Ezra Fitz in the Freeform (TV channel), Freeform mystery drama ''Pretty Little Liars'' from 2010 to 2017. Life and career Harding was born in Heidelberg, West Germany, ...

as Ezra Fitz *

Laura Leighton Laura Diane Leighton (born July 24, 1968) is an American actress. She played Sydney Andrews on the television series ''Melrose Place'' (1993–1997) and its continuation (2009–2010), and Ashley Marin on Freeform's series ''Pretty Little Liars ...

as Ashley Marin *

Chad Lowe Charles Davis Lowe II (born January 15, 1968) is an American actor and director. He is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe. He won an Emmy Award for his supporting role in '' Life Goes On'' as a young man living with HIV. He has had recurrin ...

as Byron Montgomery *

Emily Fields Emily Catherine Fields is a fictional character created in 2006 by author Sara Shepard. She is a character in both ''Pretty Little Liars books and television series, and initially appears as a " jock girl" and one of the main protagonists o ...

Mona Vanderwaal Mona Vanderwaal is a fictional character in the ''Pretty Little Liars (book series), Pretty Little Liars'' book series, its Pretty Little Liars, television adaptation, and the spin-off TV series ''Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists''. In the ...

Alison DiLaurentis Alison Lauren DiLaurentis is a fictional character in the ''Pretty Little Liars'' book series, its television adaptation, and the spin-off series '' Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists''. The character was created by American author Sara Sh ...

Recurring cast

as Toby Cavanaugh *

as Paige McCullers *

Bryce Johnson Bryce Owen Johnson (born April 18, 1977) is an American actor. Early life Johnson was born in Reno, Nevada. He has an older brother, Brendon, and a younger brother, Brett. He moved to Denver, Colorado, at the age of five. He graduated from high ...

as Darren Wilden *

Julian Morris Julian David Morris (born 13 January 1983) is an English actor. After appearing in the British television series '' The Knock'' (1996) and ''Fish'' (2000) during his teenage years, he had his first starring role in the American slasher film '' C ...

as Wren Kingston *

Tammin Sursok Tammin Sursok (born 19 August 1983) is an Australian and American actress. She is best known for her roles on television as Dani Sutherland on ''Home and Away'', Colleen Carlton on ''The Young and the Restless'', and Jenna Marshall on ''Prett ...

Jenna Marshall Jenna Marshall is a fictional character created by I. Marlene King for the Freeform (TV channel), Freeform television series ''Pretty Little Liars'' and portrayed by Tammin Sursok. The character is based on Jenna Cavanaugh, who was created by Sara ...

Torrey DeVitto Torrey Joël DeVitto (born June 8, 1984) is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and former fashion model. Her first starring role was as Karen Kerr on the Freeform (TV channel), ABC Family drama series ''Beautiful People (American TV series) ...

as Melissa Hastings *

Lesley Fera Lesley Fera (born November 23, 1971) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Veronica Hastings on the ABC Family series ''Pretty Little Liars ''Pretty Little Liars'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery teen drama televisi ...

as Veronica Hastings *

Drew Van Acker Drew Van Acker (born April 2, 1986) is an American actor, model and producer. He is known for playing Jason DiLaurentis, the older brother of Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse), on Freeform's ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2010–2017) and Ian Arche ...

as Jason DiLaurentis * Edward Kerr as Ted Wilson *Sterling Sulieman as Lyndon James/"Nate St. Germain *

as CeCe Drake * Brendan Robinson as Lucas Gottesman *

Nia Peeples Virenia "Nia" Peeples (born December 10, 1961) is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. Peeples is known for playing Nicole Chapman on the TV series ''Fame (1982 TV series), Fame''; Pam Fields on the drama ''Pretty Little Liars''; ...

as Pam Fields *

as Garrett Reynolds

Guest cast

as Maya St. Germain *

Missy Franklin Melissa Franklin Johnson (née Franklin; born May 10, 1995) is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. She held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course) from 2012 to 2019. As a member of the ...

as herself *

Adam Lambert Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He is known for his dynamic vocal performances that combine his theatrical training with modern and classic genres. Lambert rose to fame in 2009 after ...

as himself *

Amanda Schull Amanda Schull (born August 26, 1978) is an American actress and former professional ballet dancer. She is known for her lead role in the 2000 film '' Center Stage'', and for her recurring roles on the American television series '' One Tree Hill' ...

as Meredith Sorenson *

Gregg Sulkin Gregg Sulkin (born 29 May 1992) is an English actor. He made his television debut in the 2002 miniseries ''Doctor Zhivago (TV series), Doctor Zhivago'', and his film debut in the 2006 comedy ''Sixty Six (film), Sixty Six'', before gaining early ...

as Wesley Fitzgerald * Téo Briones as Malcolm Cutler *

Aeriél Miranda Aeriél "Ari" Miranda (born April 3, 1992) is an American actress and model. She is best known for her recurring role as Shana Fring on Freeform's series ''Pretty Little Liars'' (2013–2015). She was first introduced as Shana on the web series ...

as Shana Fring *

Brant Daugherty Brant David Daugherty (born August 20, 1985) is an American actor, known for his recurring role as Noel Kahn on the teen drama television series ''Pretty Little Liars''. In 2013, he had a recurring role as Brian in the NBC daytime drama '' Day ...

as Noel Kahn *

Steve Talley Steven Douglas Talley (born August 12, 1981) is an American actor who grew up in Avon, Indiana. He is best known for his portrayal of Dwight Stifler in '' American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile '' and '' American Pie Presents: Beta House''. Care ...

as Zack *

Larisa Oleynik Larisa Romanovna Oleynik (; born June 7, 1981) is an American actress. Oleynik began her career as a child actor, first appearing onstage as young Cosette in a national touring production of ''Les Misérables'' (1989–1991). She was subseque ...

as Maggie Cutler *

Bernard Curry Bernard Curry (born 27 March 1974) is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Jake Stewart in '' Wentworth'', Luke Handley in ''Neighbours'' and Hugo Austin in ''Home and Away''. Early life Alongside his actor brothers Stephen and And ...

as Jamie Doyle * Jim Titus as Officer Barry Maple *

Annabeth Gish Anne Elizabeth "Annabeth" Gish (born March 13, 1971) is an American actress. She played roles in the films '' Shag'', '' Hiding Out'', '' Mystic Pizza'', '' SLC Punk!'', '' The Last Supper'' and ''Double Jeopardy''. On television, she played Spe ...

as Anne Sullivan *

Mary Page Keller Mary Page Keller (born March 3, 1961) is an American actress known for roles on television. She began her career on the daytime soap operas '' Ryan's Hope'' (1982–83) and '' Another World'' (1983–1985) and later starred in a number of televis ...

as Dianne Fitzgerald *

Brandon W. Jones Brandon William Jones (born May 7, 1988) is an American actor, musician, model, and producer. He is best known for his role as Liam in ''Lie to Me'', Andrew Campbell in ''Pretty Little Liars'', Liam Olmstead in '' The Fosters'', and Charlie Rus ...

as Andrew Campbell * Reggie Austin as Eddie Lamb *Andrew Elvis Miller as Miles Corwin *

Nolan North Nolan North (born October 31, 1970) is an American actor best known for his voice acting roles. After his breakthrough role as Dr. Chris Ramsey on the ABC soap opera '' Port Charles'' in 1997, North moved into voice acting when the show ended ...

as Peter Hastings *Jim Abele as Kenneth DiLaurentis *

Robbie Amell Robert Patrick Amell IV (born April 21, 1988) is a Canadian-American actor and producer. He is best-known for his roles as Stephen Jameson on The CW series ''The Tomorrow People'' (2013–2014), Ronnie Raymond / Firestorm on The CW series ''Th ...

as Eric Kahn * Flynn Morrison as Malcolm *Alexander Nifong as Sam

Episodes

Ratings

Live + SD ratings

DVD release

References

{{Pretty Little Liars 2012 American television seasons 2013 American television seasons Pretty Little Liars (franchise)