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'We Were Liars': The 6 Key Differences Between The Book And TV Show
On June 18, E. Lockhart's bestselling YA novel We Were Liars premiered on Prime Video as a TV adaptation. While the new series stays true to the haunting emotional core of the book, it also reshapes it in many unexpected and shocking ways.
At first glance, the private Sinclair island is introduced as the perfect backdrop for a dreamy summer coming-of-age romance, however, all isn't at it seems. Hailed as the next White Lotus given its haven-like scenery paired with a whodunnit plot line, the show follows lead character Cadence aiming to figure out who or what is behind the injury that left her with amnesia following a devastating incident at her grandfather's summer home.
The TV show and book share a number of similarities in portraying disturbing family secrets, trauma and painful truths amongst the Sinclairs'. However, in many other ways, the series diverges from the original novel, which we unpack below.
Firstly, the timeline of the TV adaptation of We Were Liars is streamlined. Lockhart's book spans multiple summers, while the series narrows the drama down to just two—summers 16 and 17— this creates a much more distinct contrast between Cadence's initial carefree past and then the stark difference post head injury. Key events like Tipper's death, Cady and Gat's romance, and the tragic accident now all unfold in a single, harrowing summer.
Another significant shift can be seen in the character depth afforded to certain roles. For example, Johnny Sinclair, Cady's charming and trouble causing cousin, is openly gay in the TV series, with his storyline touching on school violence (homophobic bullying), secrecy, and the consequences of his mother Carrie's toxic devotion. These additions bring a darker energy to the family's seemingly golden facade, and intensifies the internal conflict over inheritance money.
The show also leans further into the Sinclairs' legacy of privilege and racism. Cady's grandfather Harris, an already problematic man in the book, is called out more directly in the series, by Cady specifically. She pushes back throughout the series, not just in heated arguments with Harris but also by educating herself (a quiet scene shows her reading Caste by Isabel Wilkerson), adding more depth to her journey of self-awareness, primarily due to her relationship with Gat.
In Lockhart's novel, the Sinclair sisters' romantic lives are largely undiscussed, however, the series lets viewers into all of their relationships. Bess, Mirren's mum, isn't divorced but emotionally detached, and her affair with an employee on the harbour becomes a point of conflict within the family. Mirren also has a more fleshed-out romantic arc, that teaches her about emotional growth.
In an interview with Swooon, author Lockhart says they worked hard to bring more life to the characters of Gat and Ed.
'We had four writers of Indian descent bringing not only their lived experience, but also their comedy chops and thriller expertise and all of their TV writing experience to the show,' she says. 'But what that means is that the characters of Gat and Ed are fleshed-out and given complexity and more nuance and bigger storylines than I could ever have done well myself because we had such a wealth of of writers working on the show.'
One of the strengths of the new series is the part the more adult characters in the show play - something Lockhart told Swooon was inspired by mega-hit The White Lotus.
'I feel like everybody who got obsessed with those three ladies in The White Lotus [Season 3] are going to be all the more obsessed with the three [Sinclair] sisters,' she said. 'They're complicated, messy, beautifully acted. Candice King [Bess Sinclair], who was in The Vampire Diaries, which Julie Plec showran — she came in and auditioned for us, despite having worked for Julie for eight years. When she came in, she did a scene that is in the pilot where she's upset about her husband not showing up and she smokes a cigarette and she did it so exquisitely, I still have it in my head. She was just undeniably perfect for Bess.
'And then we have two other powerhouse actresses: Caitlin Fitzgerald [as Penny Sinclair] and Mamie Gummer [Carrie Sinclair]. They run around in the most amazing clothes, and they are funny with each other, and they fight with each other, and they are up to all kinds of entitled sisterly shenanigans. I think it's a really good time.'
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