Pretty Little Liars: Before we get started, can we just tell you how terrified we were of you last night?
Janel Parrish: [slowly] Goooood. I’m glaaaaad. You should be. [laughs] No, no…I’m just kidding.
Pretty Little Liars: So what was your initial reaction to find out that you’re ‘A’?
Janel Parrish: I was extremely excited to find out that I was! Who wouldn’t want to be ‘A’?
Pretty Little Liars: Were there any inside jokes on set after that infamous table read reveal?
Janel Parrish: Oh definitely! The inside jokes were pouring in…mostly about how tiny I am. They were like, “You’re so tiny. How could you pull everything off?” Well, I’m tiny but I’m feisty.
Pretty Little Liars: Ha! Perfect response.
Janel Parrish: Mmhmm. I’m fierce!
Pretty Little Liars: We know that you are a fan of Sara Shepard’s books and have read them. Were you suspicious that ‘A’ on the show would be the same as in the books?
Janel Parrish: Yea! I definitely had a feeling. I spoke to Marlene King about it when I had read the books and asked her if I was going to be ‘A’ but, you know, she was keeping things close to vest and telling me I could be ‘A’ as of now I am but things could change and there could be more to the story than that. So, I always hoped — and had it in the back of mind even in scenes as Mona — that I could be ‘A’.
Pretty Little Liars: Were there any scenes that sort of solidified your suspicious that you were ‘A’?
Janel Parrish: Definitely once Mona started receiving text messages from ‘A’. Seemingly out of nowhere, gaining the sympathy vote…warming her way into the group of the four girls. That was all definitely a little suspicious and that was when fans started tweeting me saying, “This is a little weird. Why are you suddenly a victim and getting texts from ‘A’?”
Pretty Little Liars: Once you found out that you were Rosewood’s creepiest texter, how was hard was it keeping it a secret from your friends and family?
Janel Parrish: I wanted to tell everyone. I wanted to tell everyone…especially when I started filming [the reveal] because it was so much fun. I had such a great time filming the finale — I got to do some crazy stunts and I looked like a psycho. I just wanted to take pictures and tell everyone but I couldn’t so that was hard. However, the payoff was wonderful!
Pretty Little Liars: Mona is going to have a much meatier role on Pretty Little Liars season 3. Could you tell us a little more about the upcoming season?
Janel Parrish: Oh sure! I can tell you what I know at least. I’ve been made a series regular for season 3 and that way I know that they are not planning on killing me — probably — like they did in the books. Which is nice! Because that was definitely a worry…that I was going to be revealed as ‘A’ and immediately die.
Pretty Little Liars: We’re so relieved that you didn’t die — Mona is a great character!
Janel Parrish: [laughs] I know…me too! I was so glad. My heart kind of stopped when I read the script. Thankfully though, they saved my life and cast me as a series regular instead. I’ll take that any day!
Pretty Little Liars: What can we expect when season 3 returns?
Janel Parrish: Season 3 will continue six months after the finale happened. The season will kick off with the second anniversary of Alison’s death. Mona will have been in the Radley Sanatorium for the last six months. You’ll find out more about her mystery visitor. It’ll focus more on Mona explaining how and why she did what she did. Also, if people are helping her, the season will focus on who is. And all the pieces sort of come together.