The world of Pretty Little Liars has been a cornerstone of teen drama and mystery for over a decade, captivating audiences with twists, secrets, and the ever-present shadow of an unknown tormentor. However, fans of the most recent spin-off, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, are grappling with disappointment as the show has officially been cancelled after two seasons on Max.
Original Sin was the fourth TV series in the Pretty Little Liars universe, and unlike its predecessors, it leaned heavily into horror. Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale) and Lindsay Calhoon Bring, the series sought to reimagine the PLL formula by blending slasher thrills with teen drama. Season 1, subtitled Original Sin, premiered on July 28, 2022, and set its chilling story in the blue-collar town of Millwood—far from the glitzy Rosewood of the original series. The follow-up season, Summer School, aired in April 2023, continuing the sinister tale of a group of new liars haunted by the past sins of their parents.
Despite positive fan reception and an intriguing horror-tinged plot, Max opted not to renew the show for a third season. In a statement, Max praised the “modern creative vision” of the showrunners and the talented cast, which included Bailee Madison (Good Witch), Chandler Kinney (Zombies 2), and Maia Reficco (Evita), for their work in revitalizing the franchise. However, even with this talent, Original Sin joins the fate of earlier spin-offs like Ravenswood and The Perfectionists, which also saw premature cancellations.
While the end of Original Sin marks the close of yet another chapter in the Pretty Little Liars saga, its creative blend of horror and mystery leaves a lasting legacy. For fans, though, the unanswered questions of Millwood will be left hanging in the dark.
