The season premiere of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School sparked backlash from fans due to mentions of Ezria, the controversial teacher-student relationship between Aria and Ezra from the original series. In the episode, Imogen reveals that her daughter’s adoptive parents are a gay couple from Millwood town, a decision that was made to distance the character from the problematic relationship. Actress Bailee Madison, who plays Imogen, was not surprised by the backlash and emphasized the importance of being thoughtful and mindful about the subject matter being portrayed on the show.
The episode also included a dig at Ezra, with Imogen mentioning that he had a “weird vibe” as one of the reasons she chose the gay couple to raise her baby over Aria and Ezra. Madison explained that while this moment may elicit laughter from viewers, it also highlights the depth of Imogen’s character. The decision to give up her baby was the right one for her, but she still struggles with loss in her life. The spinoff series, which debuted in 2022 as Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, continues to explore the lives of a new group of girls being taunted by an unknown stalker.
Despite the backlash, Madison expressed relief that the first season of PLL: Summer School was well-received and respected the legacy of the original series. The show’s creators, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring, are both huge fans of the original show and wanted to create a series that was inspired by, but not entirely dependent on, the original. They aimed to honor the original fanbase while also exploring new storylines and characters that could stand on their own.
One of the ways in which Pretty Little Liars: Summer School differentiates itself from the original series is through its slasher-style tone. The show embraces a horror genre, creating new characters who face similar odds to the original girls in a dark and suspenseful setting. By leaning into the horror elements, the creators were able to give a fresh spin to the Pretty Little Liars universe. Fans can stream Pretty Little Liars: Summer School on Max, with new episodes released every Thursday for viewers to enjoy.