Context:

We Were Liars, a novel by E. Lockhart, has been adapted into a series by showrunners Julie Plec and Carina Adly Mackenzie, who emphasized diversity in the writer's room by including Indian writers to authentically portray one of the main characters, Gat. The series adaptation faced numerous developmental challenges, originally intended as a feature film before transitioning to a TV series. Author E. Lockhart was heavily involved in writing the series finale, drawing from her prequel novel, Family of Liars, to deepen the characters' backgrounds. Casting for the series was extensive, with thousands of auditions, and it marked the debut of Shubham Maheshwari in his role as Gat. The book gained renewed popularity on TikTok during the pandemic due to its emotionally charged narrative, leading to widespread reactions from readers and viewers alike.

Dive Deeper:

• The adaptation of We Were Liars was initially planned as a movie but shifted to a TV series under the guidance of Julie Plec and Carina Adly Mackenzie, who ensured a diverse writer's room to enhance character authenticity.

• Julie Plec and Carina Adly Mackenzie, who have collaborated previously on shows like The Vampire Diaries, aimed to remain true to the source material while expanding on characters' perspectives, especially those of Indian descent.

• E. Lockhart, the original author, contributed significantly to the series by writing the finale and drawing on her prequel book, Family of Liars, to enrich the storyline and character backgrounds, particularly focusing on the mothers' pasts.

• The casting process for the series was rigorous, receiving over a thousand submissions, with Shubham Maheshwari landing his first acting role as Gat, showcasing his growth and understanding of the character through repeated auditions.

• The book experienced a resurgence on TikTok in 2020, as its intensely emotional themes resonated with audiences during the pandemic, driving renewed interest and discussion around the book's dramatic elements.

• The production involved significant creative input from the actors, with scenes like Joseph Zada's Tom Cruise homage being improvised, showcasing the cast's commitment and understanding of their roles.

• E. Lockhart's involvement in the series was extensive, participating in early development discussions to ensure the adaptation's structure and themes remained faithful to the novel while allowing the showrunners creative freedom.