TV has a special place reserved for rich people doing bad things, and the audience draw of shows like The White Lotus and Succession only furthers this notion. Prime Video’s new psychological teen drama We Were Liars, based on E. Lockhart’s bestseller of the same name, is the latest addition to the canon. In it, the Sinclairs’ main concern is to keep their shoulders down, chins up, and flash smiles as if nothing could take them down. Yet, behind closed doors, family feuds over trust funds, broken marriages, continuous scandals, and privileged teenagers abound. The teenagers in question are called Liars, a nickname that earns a deeper meaning throughout the series after Cadence Sinclair (Emily Alyn Lind) gets into an accident. Every summer, Cady longs for the cold plunges at Beechwood Island, a place where she gets to reconnect with her two cousins, Johnny (Joseph Zada) and Mirren (Esther McGreggor), as well as their long-term friend Gat (Shubham Maheshwari). However, since her brain injury, she’s blocked most of the memories from Summer 16 (Cady keeps track of each summer based on her age), which leaves her balancing on a tightrope about who she can and can’t trust. As she returns to the beach house a year later, Cady tries to fill in the gaps about what led to her accident as well as uncover the secrets her family is trying so hard to hide from her. It is through this twisty storyline that viewers get pulled into what could be Prime Video’s best teen drama since The Summer I Turned Pretty. Although the streaming service has been a top spot for young adult stories, such as Motorheads and international smash hit Maxton Hall, We Were Liars expands on the coming-of-age formula by interweaving deeper discussions surrounding race and class.
‘We Were Liars’ Boasts an Exceptional Ensemble Cast

What allows for We Were Liars to break through the mold is its emphasis on multiple generations. The focus might be on the Liars and the lingering question about who is to blame for Cady’s accident, but there is also an emphasis on the Sinclair family as a whole. Cady’s mother, Penny (Caitlin FitzGerald), is stone-cold, superficial, and feels a sense of pride every time she falls into her father’s good graces. Harris Sinclair (David Morse) is the patriarch behind the family’s wealth, meaning that in order to get a cut of his inheritance, Penny and her two sisters, Bess (Candice King) and Carrie (Mamie Gummer), must compete among themselves for his approval. Balancing the teenagers’ storyline with that of the adults adds to this Prime Video drama (and the novel it’s based on), making it more dense than previous YA hits like Gossip Girl and The O.C., whose adult characters rarely received the same level of narrative attention as the younger generation. Identifying the patterns passed down from generations in the Sinclair family is crucial to the show’s greater themes surrounding class and race. Cady’s developing crush on Gat, who is of South Asian descent and not a Sinclair, foils perfectly with Carrie’s relationship with Ed (Rahul Kohli), Gat’s uncle, who is also brown and belittled by Harris. The latter adds fuel to the fire by constantly sharing his distaste for the lives his daughters lead, and makes it his mission for his grandchildren not to make the same mistakes as their mothers. His prejudice against Gat and Ed speaks volumes about the Sinclairs’ white privilege, which is a topic of contention throughout the series as the Liars become more and more compelled to break a generational cycle of classicism. In addition to the series’ focus on both teens and adults, the adaptation boasts a stellar ensemble cast. From Emily Alyn Lind finally getting her time to shine after the Gossip Girl reboot’s cancellation to The Vampire Diaries alum Candice King thriving in yet another collaboration with showrunners Julie Plec and Carina Adly McKenzie, everyone who is a part of We Were Liars makes each moment they have on screen count. The casting of Lind, Maheshwari, McGreggor, and Zada as the Liars couldn’t have been more fitting. Every time they get together, the actors capture the close bond between their characters, which isn’t easily shattered despite Cady’s uncertainty over who might’ve been responsible for her memory loss.

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‘We Were Liars’ Production Design, Costuming, and Music Add to the Series’ Lavish Aesthetic

The series’ ambiance also furthers the plot significantly. Having read Lockhart’s novel, the Prime Video adaptation brings Beechwood to life in a visually striking manner, displaying the filthy-rich lifestyle that the Sinclairs hold through everything from the choice of wardrobe, the abundance of lemons in various gourmet dishes, and the stunning interior of the beach house. One thing is to let the script do most of the groundwork, and another is to allow all departments to help craft the world these characters live in, down to even the slightest details. The soundtrack and score by composer Michael Suby also impact some of the series’ key scenes. When Fun.’s “We Are Young” plays at a pivotal moment that the Liars share in the finale, it will give you chills. As a whole, We Were Liars might be another example of TV with “eat the rich” commentary, but its expansion of the teen drama formula is what makes it thrilling from start to finish. Plec once again proves that she has a knack for teen TV, even outside the supernatural space (where she’s thrived with productions like TVD, Legacies, and Vampire Academy). Although the resolution for the Liars’ story seems to be finite, the hope is that if the series gets renewed for Season 2 or earns a spin-off order, it will redirect the focus to the Sinclair sisters, further inspecting their youth. In the meantime, this Prime Video original will keep you satisfied over the summer, with its immaculate beach vibes and a fiery finale. We Were Liars premieres June 18 on Prime Video.

We Were Liars

With We Were Liars, Prime Video delivers a twisty YA series powered by an exceptional, multigenerational ensemble.

Release Date

June 18, 2025

Network

Prime Video

Directors

Nzingha Stewart

Writers

E. Lockhart

Pros & Cons

The series focuses on both the teen and adult storylines in equal measure.
The cast, particularly the actors playing the Liars, fit the show like a glove.
This adaptation also offers a critical take on race, class, and white privilege.
The production design, costumes, and soundtrack elevate the ambiance of the series.