After much speculation and numerous reports, Freeform finally confirmed that “Pretty Little Liars” will end after its seventh season. Freeform’s Karey Burke, executive vice president of programming and development, says that concluding “Pretty Little Liars” after Season 7 has been the game plan for years.
“I came in knowing that this was the plan, and I’ve been here a little under two years,” Burke says. “It’s long been the feeling with the creative forces.” In an interview with Variety, Burke continues:
What factors went into the decision to end “Pretty Little Liars” after seven seasons?
They were entirely creative. It’s rare that you have a chance to send a series out on top, which the feeling very much was that this would achieve. It ultimately comes down to [showrunner] Marlene [King] and her vision, and her sense of where the natural place for the narrative to end was, and this was that. Knowing that there was an ending point really gave her and [producers] Oliver [Goldstick] and Joe [Dougherty] and Charlie Craig creative license to build very carefully toward something. Rarely in television do you get the chance to do that. I think they did wonders with it.
What were the conversations like with the cast?
They’ve been phenomenal. They’re just great. I haven’t spoken to any of them today. I think they’re thrilled for the opportunity the show has given them and they’ve formed an amazing family. It’s bittersweet. I think they’re all excited for their next chapters.
