Lucy Hale and Ian Harding Reveal Future Project Hopes Following Their Onscreen Reunion
The former Pretty Little Liars co-stars discuss teaming up again after years apart and share ideas for exploring different genres.
Published 8 November 2026
Reuniting on Screen After Years Apart
Actors Lucy Hale and Ian Harding recently reunited to play love interests in the holiday project 12 Dates of Christmas. This marked their first major collaboration since portraying the iconic couple Aria Montgomery and Ezra Fitz in the hit mystery series Pretty Little Liars.
Reflecting on stepping back onto a set together, the pair noted how quickly their previous dynamic returned. After an initial fleeting moment of first-day nerves, they easily settled into the familiar rhythm of working alongside a trusted friend.
Discussing Future Genre Explorations
With their holiday movie bringing them back together, the co-stars have already begun brainstorming potential future collaborations. During an interview, Harding humorously suggested that they should cycle through completely different cinematic genres for their next outing.
Expanding on the concept, the duo joked about starring in a horror film together. Specifically, they envisioned playing a newly married couple where one partner turns out to be a ghost.
Mutual Admiration and Friendship
Despite living on opposite sides of the country, the actors have maintained contact over the years since their teen drama concluded in 2017. Hale expressed immense praise for her co-star, emphasizing that working with him remains an absolute joy due to their built-in history.
Harding reciprocated the sentiment, noting that he wanted to ensure any project they chose together relied on clever tropes rather than wasting their established chemistry. He felt that 12 Dates of Christmas served as the ideal vehicle to reconnect professionally.
Looking Back at Pretty Little Liars
The lasting fondness viewers hold for their past work heavily influenced their decision to collaborate again. From 2010 to 2017, the ensemble mystery followed four friends targeted by an anonymous tormentor known as 'A' following the disappearance of Alison DiLaurentis.
Alongside characters like Spencer Hastings, Emily Fields, and Hanna Marin, the central romance between Aria and Ezra captured significant fan attention throughout the show's run, creating a legacy that persists years after the finale.
Real-Life Connections on Set
The holiday project also offered unexpected personal throwbacks for Hale, including working alongside actor Carter Jenkins. In real life, Jenkins was actually Hale's very first boyfriend when she was fifteen years old.
The two have remained close friends over the years following their teenage romance. Hale fondly recalled early memories of their relationship, including a movie date followed by a sushi outing with Jenkins' mother.
Real-Life Dating Versus Movie Chaos
While her character Christina navigates a chaotic lineup of twelve disastrous dates leading up to Christmas, Hale's personal experiences look quite different. The actress admitted she has been fortunate in her romantic life, mostly experiencing monogamous relationships.
She noted that she never really navigated a heavy dating scene during her twenties and managed to avoid any truly wild or disastrous dates during her more recent dating experiences.
Streaming Availability
Fans interested in seeing the duo's recent onscreen pairing can stream the holiday feature directly from home. The movie is currently available for audiences to watch on Hulu.
Whether they tackle a spooky ghost story next or stick to lighthearted romantic tropes, the actors have left the door wide open for future artistic partnerships.
News Overview
Lucy Hale and Ian Harding discussed their recent onscreen reunion in the holiday movie 12 Dates of Christmas and expressed enthusiasm for working together on future projects across different genres. The actors reflected on their history from Pretty Little Liars, while Hale also shared memories of working alongside her first real-life boyfriend, Carter Jenkins, who appears in the holiday film.
Key facts
- Lucy Hale is 37 years old.
- Ian Harding is 40 years old.
- Pretty Little Liars aired from 2010 to 2017 and ended in 2017.
- Carter Jenkins was Lucy Hale's first boyfriend when she was 15 years old.
- 12 Dates of Christmas is streaming on Hulu.