Hanna Marin played by Ashley Benson, who has taken Alison’s place as the most popular girl at Rosewood in Alison’s disappearance. Previously chubby, Hanna became slimmer after Alison’s disappearance, and now shoplifts for attention from her absent father. As the series progresses, she becomes less interested in being popular and eventually reunites with her old friends.

Spencer Hastings played by Troian Bellisario, whose newly engaged and condescending sister, Melissa, moves into the guest house which Spencer had been fixing up for herself. Spencer is portrayed as an overachiever from a wealthy family. She has also stolen her sister’s boyfriends on various occasions, including Ian Thomas and her fiancee Wren Kim.

Emily Fields played by Shay Mitchell, a competitive swimmer who soon befriends Maya St. Germain, the new resident of Alison’s former home. After a lot of confusion, Emily comes to the realization that she is a lesbian.

Aria Montgomery played by Lucy Hale, who moves back to Rosewood with her mother, Ella, father, Byron, and younger brother, Mike after a year’s absence in Iceland. She knows that her father is having an affair, but keeps it from her mother and brother. She becomes romantically involved with the new Rosewood English teacher, Ezra Fitz.

Alison DiLaurentis played by Sasha Pieterse, the former leader of Rosewood’s premiere clique. Ruling the group with an iron fist, the vicious but charismatic Alison had gone missing during a slumber party; 1 year later, her disappearance is still unsolved, but her body was found.