ABC Family is on a roll. In addition to the season 2 return of its popular series Pretty Little Liars, the network also had a terrific summer season with the premiere of two new shows: Switched at Birth and The Nine Lives of Chloe King. Tonight is the season premiere of another new series: The Lying Game. The show basically has a built-in audience, as it is based on a book series written by Sara Shepard, who also penned the Pretty Little Liars books.
Admittedly, the show's premise is similar to The CW show Ringer, which will be premiering in September. But tonally the shows are quite different, so don't let any comparisons put you off. The Lying Game is a story about two twin sisters - Emma and Sutton - who were separated after being given up for adoption. Emma grew up as a foster kid, surrounded by poverty and skeevy foster brothers, while Sutton grew up with wealthy parents and surrounded by fawning, rich friends. The girls manage to meet over the internet. Soon after Emma's current housing situation turns unbearable, Sutton comes up with the idea that Emma should take her place for a few days - just enough time for Sutton to head to Los Angeles to try and track down the girls' birth parents. Emma's hesitant to assume Sutton's glamorous lifestyle, especially since she's a fish out of water and doesn't know many details about her sister's life.
While Emma tries to fit in, those around her notice a bit of a difference, even if they don't suspect the old "twin-swapping-lives" scenario. She's nicer and less bratty to her adoptive parents and sister, as well as her friends. She also learns that Sutton is keeping some secrets, especially about the men in her life. But the biggest mystery unfolds when the girls are scheduled to meet at a cabin. That night, Sutton doesn't show up and Emma doesn't know what to do. Should she tell everyone about the switch or keep pretending to live Sutton's life. And what happened to Sutton?
The Lying Game is more like the mysterious Pretty Little Liars than the family drama Switched at Birth, which isn't really surprising given the source materials. Alexandra Chando is solid in the role of both Sutton and Emma and while the show is a bit more superficial than Pretty Little Liars (in the sense that Sutton's friends make it feel like a high school drama), I'm confident the show will turn out a solid mystery with interesting characters. Heroes star Adrian Pasdar is set to join the cast in a recurring role in episode 2, which will air next Monday.
Below is a promo, four sneak peeks and some photos for tonight's series premiere of The Lying Game, which begins at 9:00 p.m.
Lol I love how Laurel looked when Sutton said she'd give her a ride but it's really Emma.