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It ’s said we might be through with the past, but the past isn’t through with us. So we connect with 22- year-old actor, Malia Pyles, of new generation Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. In HBO Max’s 10-episode series, a much darker reimagining of the Liars universe presents itself in Millwood, where the characters find themselves tortured by an unknown aggressor, forced to pay for the sins committed by their mothers twenty years ago.

From the siren-blaring streets of Pyles’ apartment, nestled in the heart of urban Los Angeles (a striking departure from the serene and isolated small-town community where she resided in Wood - stock, New York during the series’ filming), she gives us a glimpse into what it was like to be a first time Liar, and a fixture on one of the more prominent contemporary television shows in existence. The series began filming during the pandemic where the cast formed a bubble of sorts, living on the same land in a community of cabins, what she likens to a “summer camp” filled with escapades to the local lake and county fair. “It really acted as a catalyst for relationships to be strengthened,” she recalls of the unparalleled circumstances, “and for us to find community amongst each other, which I think you can feel in the show—the sense that we do genuinely love each other.”

Pyles, despite proclaiming herself as a “painfully shy kid” growing up, talks openly about her passion for acting and how it all began, when her aunt one day sent along a newspaper clipping for a Disney audition. While the listing humorously turned out to be a scam, Pyles’ dream still ignited, and she decided to take a deep dive into acting. “My dad actually told me he never was quite sure about the acting thing until I was in a production of Alice in Wonderland,” she laughs. “He knew from that moment that this was something that I was made to do, because I guess I really impressed him with my performance of Humpty Dumpty.”

Pyles emits a vibe of confidence. Careful thought is put into her words, despite her sharing on the nerves she’s enduring in doing press for her first lead role. “I was actually the last of the Liars cast,” she shares. “I got the audition for Minnie and already felt such a kinship to her. I had an attitude going into the process of being like, ‘If this doesn’t work out, it’s okay,’ but I’m just happy that this character is being written because she’s Asian-American.”

Pyles’ observant character Minnie Honrada is the youngest of the new Liars and spends most of her time absorbed in an online world where she finds a community she’s heavily dependent on. On the impact of virtual communities and social media platforms, Pyles strives to debunk the stereotype that those who enjoy spending time online are loners or antisocial. “I think as much as there can be goods and bads to social media,” she remarks, “I feel so grateful to have access to it at a young age, because you can meet people and not feel so lonely, especially when everything feels so isolating.”

Pyles’ current undertaking as Minnie seems almost written in the stars, as she was always “fascinated by things that were a little bit darker.” Though she was only ten when the original Pretty Little Liars series was released, she found the show impossible to avoid, immediately connecting to Emily’s character, played by Shay Mitchell. “I identify as queer,” she shares, “and I remember in season one Emily and Maya’s relationship had such an impact on me, as it was one of the first times I was exposed to queerness, and it was just so validating.”

Pyles finds the beauty in her character’s ability to be open about her queerness. “I wasn’t that open about myself at that age,” she says resolutely. “That’s what I think is so powerful about her. It doesn’t always have to be you hiding away from yourself—it can be you confidently being who you are.” Pyles emphasizes, “She has a wonderful quiet confidence about her. For me, it was important to find her physicality. I have a lot of nervous tics, and it was import - ant for my process to find those nuances in expression and emphasize that with her.”

Up ahead, Pyles hopes to bring her A-game to embody different personas and experiences as an actress, possibly in working on a project a bit lighter. “There’s so many different shades of Malia,” she says, “and I can’t wait to explore those more in different characters. I would love to do a comedy and create my own personal passion projects, whether that be writing or things just for myself.” Whatever the eventual canvas, Pyles is torch-bearing for that which is long overdue, but also that which might have only just gotten started.

Check out our features with the other Liars: Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, and Zaria.