Shay Mitchell Talks Playing 'Pretty Little Liars' Lesbian & Loving On-Screen Girlfriends

Anyone familiar with Pretty Little Liars knows the teen mystery-drama series is filled with twists and turns that ultimately leave fans with their mouth agape or their minds boggled with confusion. Shay Mitchell, one of the show's leading ladies, plays a lesbian named Emily Fields who learns embrace her sexuality as the series progresses. In a recent interview with AOL, Mitchell revealed what she loved most about her on-screen girlfriends and the impact her character has had on viewers around the world.

Throughout the six traumatic and eventful seasons, Mitchell's character has had six different girlfriends. Fans were able to experience her character's journey as she learned about her sexual identity, dating women and dealing with personal struggles like coming out. While viewers might have had their favorite picks when it came to the girls that stole her heart, Mitchell revealed each of her girlfriends brought something special to the table in the show.

"I love them all for different reasons," Mitchell told AOL in an exclusive interview at the Stella Artois "Bon Voyage to Summer" party in NYC. "I think I was longest with Paige, and I love Lindsey Shaw. She's just amazing. I know there are a lot of 'Emison' fans out there, and working with Sasha [Pieterse] is always such a pleasure. She's so talented, and it's just great with all the different partners."

The 28-year-old actress is proud to play a lesbian on the show. She feels her character's storyline plays an important role for young adults struggling with their sexuality, especially teen girls and young women. Mitchell is excited to be a part of a project that explores realistic life battles and hopes her character can help build confidence for anyone in need.

More and more shows geared toward young adults are creating roles to represent members of the LGBTQ community. Due to the rise of non-heterosexual characters on television, Mitchell revealed she doesn't get asked the typical questions about playing Emily Fields anymore.

"I remember when it first came out, and everyone was like, 'Oh my God -- you play a lesbian character!' And now I don't really get asked 'how do you feel about kissing a girl?' anymore. That's not really in the conversation anymore because there are so many shows," she said.

Despite the controversial plot lines her character faces, the Canada native is appreciative of the show's ability to open an outlet for people to be honest with themselves. Pretty Little Liars has broken boundaries in television. Mitchell is excited about her character's future and hopes viewers can still benefit from the lessons learned in the show.

"Just seeing how much this character has helped fans even just start the conversation with their family and friends, I'm like this is awesome. It's one thing to entertain, but to have a small impact on their life is huge."

Tags

Pretty Little Liars, LGBT