8. Sasha Pieterse, known for her compelling portrayal of Alison DiLaurentis, was remarkably close to being cast as Hanna Marin. However, the show’s producers realized she was only 12 years old at the time, which raised concerns about her suitability for the role. “I knew what Hanna was going to do and I was like, ‘Do we really want a 12-year-old doing those things?'” recalled King in an insightful interview with Variety. He elaborated, “But also, they can only work a certain amount of hours under the age of 16.” This led to the decision to cast her as Alison. Despite being several years younger than the other actresses, her audition left a lasting impression, as she exuded a captivating energy that resonated deeply with the casting team.

9. Ashley Benson was the final actress to be cast among the quartet of main characters, a decision that came with its own unique backstory. King shared with Variety, “I remember her coming in for her audition and she was in tears because she was on a show called Eastwick and she had just found out it was canceled, and so she came over to this audition.” This emotional moment highlighted her determination and passion for acting. King further reflected, “We knew we wanted a blonde for this role because it was one of the last roles to cast, and other than Alison, we did not have a blonde in the show.” The search for the perfect actress was challenging, but when Benson auditioned, there was an undeniable chemistry that sparked excitement in the room. Her unique presence and the way the camera captured her expressive eyes made everyone convinced they had found their ideal Hanna.