Troian Bellisario Speaks Out for Teen Shows - Why Do They Get Snubbed?

Troian Bellisario has written a thought-provoking piece for THR about the merits of shows made for young people, and how they are so often overlooked.

The 28-year-old actress is careful not to compare Pretty Little Liars to any other show, but talks about the fact that teenage shows rarely get nominated for awards.

“Everyone says this is the golden age of television. There are so many wonderful shows, with new ideas and characters that push the envelope. There is an abundance of quality artists using their talents in this medium rather than just in film. And there are so many different ways to tell a story, a variety of styles and genres all being celebrated and explored,” Troian wrote. “So why is it that with all the different types of shows being recognized this Emmy season, the ones like mine, ‘teen shows,’ are written off as fluff? Guilty pleasures that are too youthful to exhibit accolade-worthy material. What if they are telling good stories too, just in a different way?”

Troian continued, “I’m not comparing our show to any other show, I’m not comparing myself to any other actor (especially not Bryan Cranston �please God, no!), but as someone on a teen soap I can tell you that I work with a cast and crew that searches for those same human truths, and who strives to convey those truths with compelling depth and excellence. We are just beholden to a different style of storytelling. And that is also worthy of serious consideration.”

To read the rest of Troian‘s piece, head over to THR.com.