Since the premiere of Pretty Little Liars in 2010, Spencer, Aria, Hannah, Emily, and Allison have been playing a dangerous game with an enigmatic villain named A. Somehow, the women have managed to escape even the most lethal situations unscathed. But, in a recent interview with W, star Troian Bellisario revealed she wanted Spencer to die. I know, I know. I was shocked, too. The whole characters-not-dying-thing is generally good news for the actors behind the series, because, you know, they get to keep their jobs. But Bellisario has a different and very understandable view.
“I definitely tried," she said to the outlet. "A) You want a death scene, and B) On our show, your character becomes infinitely more interesting when you die. I honestly felt that for this world to be truly dangerous, one of the Liars would have to die. Otherwise, 'A' is just always putting them in danger and still saving them.”
Her comment brings up a good point about the show. As much as A has threatened them, it seems the ever-changing antagonist is more interested in toying with the Liars than actually hurting someone. Sure, they've been put into plenty of potentially fatal (and emotionally damaging) situations, but in the end, they're always saved. In fact, Spencer and her friends have had a hand in their own fair share of PLL's on-screen deaths.
That seems to have a lot to do with showrunner I. Marlene King's direction. Of the assailants that have been unmasked thus far, their motivations have always come from a place of pain. Mona, who'd been bullied by Allison and her sycophants, assumed the A identity in order to enact a revenge plot, while Charlotte DiLaurentis was lashing out against the rejection she'd felt from her family after coming to terms with her transgender identity.
The yet-to-be-unveiled Uber A is the most vicious villain yet, but, if history is any indication, they'll also be the most damaged. Hopefully, Spencer can survive long enough to see the big reveal — but not if Bellisario gets her way.
