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It’s been almost three years since the mystery series Pretty Little Liars came to its dramatic conclusion. We miss the show, of course, but what we really miss is seeing its stars interact. Fortunately, real-life friends and former co-stars Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell recently got together and made our dreams come true.

Shay Mitchell and Ashley Benson co-starred in ‘Pretty Little Liars’

(L-R) Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell attend the celebration for 'Pretty Little Liars' final season on October 29, 2016
(L-R) Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell attend the celebration for ‘Pretty Little Liars’ final season on October 29, 2016 | Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Mitchell and Benson were both cast in the series Pretty Little Liars over a decade ago. The young actors were both relatively unknown at the time. Benson was best known for her role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, while Mitchell’s only previous gig was an episode of the Canadian teen drama Degrassi.

In the show, which is based on the book series of the same name, Benson and Mitchell portrayed Hanna Marin and Emily Fields, respectively. Both are high school students who find themselves the victims of cyber-stalking after their best friend’s disappearance is revealed to be a lot more than it seemed at first.

They were close on screen and off

PLL ran for seven seasons, from 2010 through 2017. So the stars spent a lot of time together over those years. The characters of Hanna and Emily are very close, and only grew closer throughout the series, as they deal with a lot. And the same can be said of Benson and Mitchell.

All of the actors are thought to have become friendly with one another off-screen. But few had the connection that Benson and Mitchell appear to. The stars were always posting photos together, both on set and off. They traveled together, and Mitchell even attended the premiere of Benson’s 2013 movie Spring Breakers.

Mitchell and Benson reunited

Collage from Ashley Benson's Instagram Stories
From Ashley Benson’s Instagram Stories | @ashleybenson via Instagram

Of course, it isn’t always easy to stay in contact in Hollywood. Especially when your built-in method for seeing someone goes away and is replaced by other obligations. So while Benson and Mitchell have been known to hang out, these photo ops have decreased in frequency.

But fans of ButtahBenzo (the nickname given to their friendship) are in for a treat. On Feb. 20, 2021, Mitchell (who is based in Los Angeles) was in New York (where Benson lives), doing press. The two, along with another friend, Cait Bailey, had dinner together (apparently involving caviar).

What have they been doing since ‘PLL’ ended?

So why haven’t Benson and Mitchell spent much time together lately. Both are very busy. Mitchell is a new mom, having given birth to her daughter, Atlas, in late 2019. She also has brand partnerships, her Beis luggage brand, and other industry gigs. Mitchell filmed the first season of her Hulu comedy, Dollface, while pregnant, and a second is in the works.

Benson has her own ventures. She and her girlfriend, Cara Delevingne, have been traveling a lot. She also has her own eyewear collection through luxury brand Privé Revaux. Benson also filmed two movies last year, though no release dates are available just yet. Hopefully, that means more time for another ButtahBenzo reunion very soon!