| Mona Vanderwaal | |
|---|---|
| Pretty Little Liars character | |
 Janel Parrish as Mona Vanderwaal | |
| First appearance | Pretty Little Liars (2006) |
| Created by | Sara Shepard |
| Portrayed by | Janel Parrish |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | "A" Ali Dee Mina Davis "A.D." Alison DiLaurentis [a] |
| Nickname | Loser Mona Crazy Mona Nutjob Mona Original A Mona 2.0 mad house mona |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | "A" Lobbyist (formerly) Game Designer at HT French Doll Shop Owner (formerly) Head of recruitment and admissions at Beacon Heights University (currently) |
| Family | Leona Vanderwaal (mother) Mr. Vanderwaal (father) |
| Significant other | Television Noel Kahn (ex-boyfriend; deceased) Mike Montgomery (ex-boyfriend) Unnamed French man (boyfriend) Mason Gregory (ex-boyfriend) |
| Relatives | Television Ned (uncle) |
| Education | Rosewood High School (formerly; graduated) Duke University (formerly; graduated) |
| Residence | Rosewood, Pennsylvania (formerly) Paris, France (formerly) Beacon Heights, Oregon (currently) |
| Status | Television Alive Novels Deceased |
| Seasons | |
Mona Vanderwaal is a fictional character in the Pretty Little Liars book series, its television adaptation, and the spin-off TV series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. In the TV shows, she is portrayed by Janel Parrish.
Introduced in Pretty Little Liars as Hanna Marin's best friend, Mona initially harbors a grudge against the protagonists, using her intelligence and resources to torment them anonymously as "A". In the third season of the TV series, Mona gains a partner who eventually takes control from her. Afterward, she forms an unstable alliance with the protagonists, becoming a victim of her own creation. Considered the most knowledgeable character in the series,[1] Mona is versed in computer hacking, foreign languages, singing, empathy, and manipulation. Though introduced as a villainess, she eventually takes steps toward redemption. Mona is the first 'A' in the show and the book.
Initially a supporting player, the TV character gained much popularity among viewers and critics, drawing recognition from Entertainment Weekly, CNN, MTV, and others, prompting producers to expand her role. In March 2015, PrettyLittleLiars.com named Mona the greatest Pretty Little Liars character.[2] MTV also named her one of the best characters on television in 2014.[3] During the TV series' run, producer I. Marlene King acknowledged Mona as a "beloved character."[4] By the end of the show's run, Dana Getz of Bustle.com declared that Mona had become "the most important character in the series."[5]
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ Denninger, Lindsay (January 19, 2016). "What Is Mona's Job On 'Pretty Little Liars'? Her Talents Could Take Her Down Many Paths". Bustle.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
- ^ "15 Reasons Mona Vanderwaal is The Greatest 'PLL' Character Ever". PrettyLittleLiars.com. March 11, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
- ^ "The Best TV Characters Of 2014". MTV.com. December 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ Stransky, Tanner (March 20, 2012). "'Pretty Little Liars': Burning questions about 'A' reveal". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ Getz, Dana (June 27, 2017). "How Mona Quietly Became The Most Important Character On 'Pretty Little Liars'". Bustle.com. Retrieved June 30, 2017.