Chandler Kinney Emphasizes Tabby and Imogen's Enduring Bond in 'PLL: Summer School' (Interview)

Chandler Kinney, 23, and Bailee Madison, 24, prioritize the bond between Tabby and Imogen on Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.

In a recent interview with We, Kinney shared how she and Madison ensure that Tabby and Imogen's connection remains strong throughout each season.

"We feel incredibly grateful to bring their story to life," she told Us. In season 1, the creators were clear about the love story between Bailey and herself. They emphasized how they bond through their trauma, as well as the ways they are similar and different.

Kinney has enjoyed portraying how Tabby and Imogen complement each other. She finds it beautiful to see two women with parallel experiences finding strength in each other. She believes they will always be each other's home in the end.

The Pretty Little Liars reboot, called Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin on Max in 2022, continues the story of a new group of friends who are haunted by a mysterious figure known as A.

Chandler Kinney Thinks Tabby and Imogen Will Always Be Each Others Home on PLL Summer School

Bailee Madison and Chandler Kinney Karolina Wojtasik/Max

During the first season, Tabby and Imogen not only searched for their stalker but also discovered that they had both been sexually assaulted by the same individual. After uncovering that Chip (Carson Rowland) was the culprit, Tabby and Imogen managed to get a confession out of him, leading to his eventual demise at the hands of Archie.

Tabby and Imogen are currently concentrating on addressing their past trauma. Kinney shared that Season 2 is all about Tabby reclaiming her voice. It's a journey of rebuilding trust, discovering inner strength and courage, and feeling empowered to take a stand and be heard. The growth in Tabby's character is reflected through her interactions with others.

Tabby's biggest challenge will be dealing with her PTSD as she returns to filmmaking. When she immerses herself back into the world of film, her PTSD becomes more evident. Kinney mentioned that Tabby struggles with her relationship with film, trying to distance herself from her trauma. She attempts to separate what she has been through while also rediscovering her love and passion for filmmaking. It is a lot for anyone to handle, but Kinney admires how gracefully Tabby navigates through it, authentically portraying the struggles of a teenager.

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School also allows Tabby to explore a romantic relationship with newcomer Christian (Noah Alexander Gerry).

Chandler Kinney Thinks Tabby and Imogen Will Always Be Each Others Home on PLL Summer School

Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max

Tabby's journey involves challenging her automatic reactions to things, which stem from trauma in her body and mind. Kinney explained that sometimes this involves creating scenarios that aren't actually present in Christian and unintentionally projecting her trauma onto him. While some of her suspicions towards Christian are valid due to his questionable actions, there are moments where she questions his behavior.

Tabby and her friends may have taken down Archie, but now they have a new A to deal with in the form of Bloody Rose. Season 2 sets up a scenario where anyone could be a suspect, which Kinney has enjoyed exploring. Kinney finds it exciting to engage the audience in a guessing game of who can be trusted and allowed into the inner circle of Tabby and Christian. This question will linger throughout the season, even as the two characters share a sweet summer romance. Despite the romance, everyone remains a suspect in the eyes of Tabby and her friends.

Kinney shared about the show’s dedicated fanbase, mentioning how they didn't consider fan response during season 1. However, with the overwhelming love and support from season 1 carrying into season 2, they now have to focus on staying true to the character and their story, despite the external noise.

Moving into the second season, Kinney explained the balance they must strike between honoring the character's journey authentically and considering what fans would enjoy. It's not about solely catering to fans' expectations but finding a middle ground between staying true to the character and acknowledging the fans' desires.

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School is available to stream on Max with new episodes released on Thursdays.

Editor's P/S:

Chandler Kinney and Bailee Madison's portrayal of Tabby and Imogen in "Pretty Little Liars: Summer School" highlights the profound bond between two young women navigating the complexities of trauma and self-discovery. Through their shared experiences of sexual assault, they