Malia Pyles they are starting when it comes to bringing the Mouse to life Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.
During an exclusive interview with Us WeeklyPyles, 23, discussed how Mouse has come to himself, what he wants to see from the character’s romance with Ash (Jordan Gonzalez) and the treatment that went into this season’s episode of Pride.
Warning: This story contains spoilers Pretty Little Liars: Summer School season 2 finale.
“(Not having Mouse’s mom in season 2) was really necessary for Mouse to grow. A lot of his identity as a character is the fact that he’s been sheltered and confined in a lot of ways throughout his life. I think he needs that level of freedom to make those mistakes and also just can move freely with the girls,” Pyles said before noting how Mouse’s parents would return in a potential third season.
The actress is very happy to see Mouse’s growth as an individual, adding, “Of course, you can see Ash sleeping in the bed and I think their relationship has reached a height as well. I definitely think having a certain level of freedom with his mother on a Disney cruise – which is funny – provides ( something important to Mouse).
Season 2 of Max’s Pretty Little Liars picks up with a group of friends trying to enjoy the summer while taking extra classes. Mouse finds himself wrapped up in the Bloody Rose mystery through the horror website Spooky Spaghetti. But this is only the first problem because Mouse is also responsible for watching over his grandmother, whose mental health is rapidly deteriorating.
“Loretta is part of this season as integral to the story line with Mouse’s own growth and her being a protector and being pulled in two directions with the mystery aspect,” Pyles said. “But also if my grandmother’s health is deteriorating in ways and spiraling – she’s trying to understand how to wear different hats and help the situation.”
Pyles told us he wants to see Mouse roar in the upcoming episodes, exploring the anger he’s been unleashing for the first two seasons of the reboot.
“With Mouse, we do not – unlike some other girls – she is very good at covering up and she can be quiet in her emotions. I like to see the manifestation of female anger in a way that can be felt,” he said. “Also it will go further, using his computer skills it would be nice to see him fight his enemies by hacking or doxing or doing really dark things on the computer to help the mystery. I think he deserves this time. I really like to see Mouse and the kids- the other girl lost her s-ta a little.
A Pride-themed episode of Pretty Little Lies was a highlight for Pyles during season 2. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Pyles couldn’t feel more visible on the show, adding that he was “excited” for “that moment of celebration.”
“It’s very special because it’s the first time I feel like that. Only queerness is celebrated on the plane for me and the experience and just being there on the day. All the artists of our background are also queer – and the space is inclusive and diverse and just listening to their stories and talking that’s great,” he said. “I remember walking to the set and I got emotional. I got emotional just to see the beautiful view in real time proud of real life. And to be celebrated by the studio and the show is just something that I want to be a part of after being involved in this industry for more than 10 year.
Pretty Little Lies prioritized Mouse and Ash’s relationship in season 2 as well. In addition to Mouse becoming more comfortable with his sexuality this season, the show offers Ash a platform to address his experiences as a trans person.
“I love that healthy queer relationships can be portrayed on TV. I think that’s really important. But Jordan and I are hopeful that moving forward there can be conflict between them,” Pyles said. “In the same way that queer relationships can be healthy and wonderful, we still love other relationships that have conflict.”
Pyles pointed out how Ash became an honorary Wild, which means he never suspected when the main group of friends will try to figure out who can target the future. In the name of chaos, Pyles wouldn’t mind mixing things up and having Ash as a suspect.
“I don’t think it’s a hundred percent safe on this show,” he teased. “I think it’s really interesting to remove Ash from everything (in the season 2 finale), could it be a red herring for what’s to come? We’ll see.”
In the original PLL series, which ran on Freeform from 2010 to 2017, the love interest will work with A to help keep his significant other safe. Pyles wouldn’t mind exploring the same with Mouse and Ash.
“The most interesting part of the villain character is the complexity. And again, it’s not even putting Ash in the role,” he explained. “I think there is an inherent nature to love and romance. But it will be interesting to explore what that will look like.
Ash could have a chance to try something new after the season 2 finale, which begins streaming on Thursday, June 20, shows a group with masks that resemble the Liars. Despite not knowing what’s to come, Pyles has plenty of theories.
“There are many opportunities to explore different villains next season. But I just love the uncanny valley of our faces that are reflected back in some unknown people. And just have a real life face yourself and how it can give different manifestations of trauma and how powerful and psychological a fracture can be,” he said. us. “I like the psychological horror idea of ββus having to fight against each other and also if there are five villains, how it opens up the idea of ββthe A team. And it’s just different cast members who can also be villains.
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School now streaming on Max.