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Michael Maize Joins Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin [EXCLUSIVE]

Screen Rant is thrilled to announce a new and mysterious character coming to Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, which premieres July 28 on HBO Max. Actor Michael Maize, who has previously appeared in various cult classics such as Mr. Robot and You, has confirmed that he will be playing a man named Joseph in a three-episode arc during the first season. Currently represented by MGMT Entertainment, Headline Talent Agency, and Ellis Talent Group, Maize has been in the industry for over 20 years and built a solid resume of character work in genre shows and procedurals alike.

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin arrives five years after the end of the original Pretty Little Liars, but the story is far from over. In a new town called Millwood, a new generation of girls gather with secrets to keep and crosses to bear. The series was executive produced by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale) and co-executive produced by Lindsay Calhoon Bring (who worked with Aguirre-Sacasa on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), so fans can expect this take on the teen melodrama to be even darker and edgier than its predecessor.

As for how Michael Maize’s Joseph fits into the picture, and what key he may hold the Little Liars’ secrets or their mothers’ pasts? Screen Rant spoke to the actor to get a preview of his role and experience on set. Not only was he full of praise for the tone struck by writers Aguirre-Sacasa and Calhoon Bring, but also for the young cast led by Bailee Madison (The Fosters) and Chandler Kinney (Disney Channel’s Zombies franchise).

First of all, what can you tell us about your character?

Michael Maize: I come in later in the season. I’m in three episodes in the 5-8 realm, so I’m in second half of the season. My character’s name is Joseph, and I’m a mysterious man that lives on the outskirts of town who has information that helps the Liars in their investigation.

In the world of Pretty Little Liars, mysterious men are usually not a good sign. Would you say that you are more of a friend or foe?

Michael Maize: I would say that part of the mystery comes from how I move into all realms with them. So, both and neither.

How did you hear about the role, and what was the casting process like?

Michael Maize: I actually live in upstate New York. I moved from the city a year ago, after COVID, up to the Hudson Valley. This show shoots in the Hudson Valley, so I had heard about it. There’s all these little towns along the river, and they’ve actually become kind of trendy, so there’s a lot of artists of here as well as a lot of actors and musicians.

I had heard about it and it was definitely my on radar, so I connected with my manager to let them know that it was happening. To be honest, because this was later in the season, that kind of fell away until I got the audition from my manager. It was super cool, because I got to shoot close to home, which doesn’t always happen.

There’s definitely a certain chill, grounded energy living up here. I don’t know if that moved into the audition or the character, because it is a small town that they live on, but that’s how it came about.

Did you have any experience with the original series before auditioning, and have you checked it out since?

Michael Maize: When I auditioned for the role, I definitely checked out the original and watched a few episodes just to kind of get the feel.

I know that HBO Max’s whole dialogue from the beginning is that this isn’t a reboot, but it’s their own original take on it set in the existing Pretty Little Liars universe franchise. They really tried to have their fun, original take within the horror and mystery genre. Knowing that, I took probably a little more liberty in that audition to just have more fun with the role and move more into the horror genre.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is infamous for his unique takes on Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. What do you think that he brings to Original Sin that may not have been in Pretty Little Liars?

Michael Maize: I think there’s a dynamic synergy that’s always happening underneath his work, which I feel is very exciting. And I think that really speaks to HBO, Max, coming out of the world of Euphoria and moving into these girls in what this world is. So, in my opinion, he adds an edge to it while still maintaining the heart within it all, which I think is in his other work as well. I’ve always loved his work, so it was exciting to be on board.

You have been in the industry for quite a while now, while this show is filled with fresh faces. What was it like to get to watch so many young actors coming up on this series?

Michael Maize: I think it’s really exciting. Bailee Madison, who plays Imogen, really took it upon herself to be a fantastic leader on set. The moment that I arrived into the universe, I could tell that there was a bond of joy and fun and love from the start, and I think they’re all extremely excited about it. They took it upon themselves to make sure that follows through into everyday work.

Bailee and Chandler [Kinney] came right up to me on my first day and welcomed me to set, and they instantly talked about their excitement for the show. When you’re on this show in the first season, there is a great creative force, and I think they’re all feeling that and they’re all extremely talented. I really didn’t know what to expect, other than the bar was raised. But when I went to the first Zoom table reading, I was like, “Okay, wow. This is great. This is exciting. Everyone’s super talented.”

I coincidentally just did two episodes of Charmed at the end of last year, which was a funny coincidence to me. It was like another form of the same thing, but in a different universe. And I was on the original Charmed, so that was funny.

We’ve sadly had to say farewell to our new version of Charmed, but what was that experience like for you?

Michael Maize: I think Charmed is more of the supernatural realm, so we really got to play outside of the box. My character was this six-foot-four magical leprechaun, so that was definitely a little more crazy fun.

I think Pretty Little Liars is grounded in a bit more reality. Given the horror and tragedy, it’s grounded in a more rooted and dramatic tone. The approach is in two different directions, even though the main stratosphere there is around strong, independent women trying to make their way through a series of events and solve something to move forward.

When you’re on set, or when you’re reading the scripts, how invested in the mystery do you get? How many answers do you have that we don’t?

Michael Maize: Given the fact that I am this mysterious man that lives on the outskirts of town, I have quote-unquote “secrets” that can help them.

In my preparation for the role, I didn’t get too involved in the mystery of the show. I just stayed in my own mystery and my own secrets, and how I can possibly reveal those to them to help them in their investigation. I stayed in my own world as the character, so I stayed within that as an actor.

What is coming up next for you, apart from Original Sin?

Michael Maize: I definitely am in the running for some high-profile projects, none of those that can be revealed at the moment. But at this moment, it’s all about Pretty Little Liars and putting that into the universe.

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Synopsis

Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. Now, in present day, a disparate group of teen girls — a brand-new set of Little Liars — find themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant and made to pay for the secret sin committed by their parents two decades ago…as well as their own.

In the dark, coming-of-age, horror-tinged drama Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, we find ourselves miles away from Rosewood, but within the existing Pretty Little Liars universe — in a brand-new town, with a new generation of Little Liars.