We Were Liars: The YA Thriller Everyone’s Talking About

We Were Liars is the new show everyone is talking about. If you’re into beachy backdrops, edge of your seat drama and unexpected twists, this is the perfect summer watch for you.

Based on E. Lockhart’s iconic psychological thriller, We Were Liars tells the story of seventeen year old Cadence Sinclair who spends her summers on her grandfather’s private New England island.

The Sinclairs are considered American royalty, known for their good looks, old money and unbreakable bond.

But after a mysterious accident wipes parts of Cadence’s memory, she returns to the island to seek the truth, learning that things are far more twisted and tragic than she ever imagined.

 

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Meet the Liars

Emily Alyn Lind as Candence

Daughter of actress Barbara Alyn Woods – known for her role as One Tree Hill Mom Deb Scott and film producer John Lind – Emily is no stranger to film sets.

Lind’s biggest roles include Young Amanda Clarke in the popular series ‘Revenge’ and Audrey Hope in the HBO Gossip Girl reboot. On We Were Liars, she revealed to People Magazine that she didn’t rehearse the finale scenes once with co-stars as it was too emotional.

Shubham Maheshwari  as Gat Patil

His first TV role, Maheshwari was discovered via open casting through Zoom but his lack of experience brings a fresh face to the spotlight.

He stars as Candence’s love interest and the only member of the tight-knit Liars group that isn’t a member of the Sinclair family.

 

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Esther McGregor as Mirren Sinclair Sheffield

Esther is the daughter of Ewan McGregor, renowned for his roles in Trainspotting and Star Wars. You may have noticed her in raunchy thriller Baby Girl, playing one of Nicole Kidman’s daughters.

Mirren is one of the more reserved characters, but when she discovers a dark family secret, she begins to break.

Joseph Zada as Johnny Sinclair Dennis   

Zada plays Johnny Sinclair Dennis, the charismatic cousin and ringleader of the Liars. At only 20 years old, the Australian actor is already doing big things in the industry.

He has appeared in series such as Total Control and Invisible Boys. He will also be playing Haymitch in the New Hunger Games movie Sunrise on the Reaping, set to release in 2026.

What to expect?

The show stays mostly faithful to the book, while expanding the narrative beyond Cadence’s view, enhancing our perception of the side characters and their own stories.

The aesthetic is sun drenched and dreamy but don’t let this fool you – expect moments of horror and heavy emotions.

Set on the private island of Beechwood, the atmosphere is picturesque but creepy at times . With 8 episodes, the series can definitely be binge watched during a rainy July weekend but is also worth savouring with a slower watch.

Will there be a season 2?

Although Prime has not officially announced a second season, there is definitely potential. We could even get an adaptation of Lockhart’s Family of Liars, prequel to We Were Liars’ following the twisted lives of the Sinclair mothers back when they were teenagers.

But for now nothing has been revealed.

Words by Amy O’Connor