Troian Bellisario talks playing a police officer in ‘On Call’, reflects on ‘Pretty Little Liars’ 15t…

In On Call, actress Troian Bellisario takes on a transformative role as Tracy Harmon, a 40-year-old veteran field training officer in the LAPD, navigating the high-pressure dynamics of Los Angeles policing while mentoring a new recruit, Alex Diaz (played by Brandon Larracuente). The Amazon MGM Studios series marks a stark departure from Bellisario’s earlier work in Pretty Little Liars, showcasing a new level of emotional depth and physical intensity.

A New Type of Police Drama

On Call breaks from the traditional police procedural format, opting instead for a half-hour drama with an emphasis on real-time storytelling and body cam footage. The result is a gritty, grounded narrative that blurs the line between fiction and documentary. This unique approach provides a raw, unfiltered look at the emotional and logistical challenges of law enforcement in a major urban setting.

According to Bellisario, this format offered a compelling opportunity to explore the day-to-day complexity of policing. “You’re not watching a formula,” she explained in an interview. “You’re watching a city in motion.” The show’s structure heightens the immediacy of each call, giving viewers a front-row seat to the evolving tension of every shift.

Immersive Preparation and Realism

To accurately portray Tracy Harmon, Bellisario underwent extensive preparation, including ride-alongs with active LAPD officers and tactical training sessions. A customized mini-academy was set up at Wolf Entertainment to simulate the real-world demands of police work. Bellisario noted that even minor incidents — such as clearing an intersection after a non-injury traffic accident — revealed how multi-layered and complex law enforcement duties can be.

This preparation helped ground her performance in reality, offering a nuanced representation of what it takes to maintain order in a dense and diverse city.

Redefining Female Strength On-Screen

Bellisario’s portrayal of Tracy Harmon defies conventional expectations for female roles in television. While many characters are written with an emphasis on appearance or charm, Harmon is defined by competence, empathy, and mental resilience. This shift allowed Bellisario to explore a more grounded and authentic kind of strength rarely afforded to women in action or procedural genres.

She also noted the physical demands of the role, humorously recalling how co-star Brandon Larracuente consistently outran her in chase scenes — a testament to the realistic depiction of the physicality involved in police work.

From Spencer Hastings to Tracy Harmon

Transitioning from her iconic role as Spencer Hastings in Pretty Little Liars to the hardened, emotionally guarded Tracy Harmon represents a major evolution in Bellisario’s career. While Spencer was driven by the need for validation and connection, Harmon operates from a place of duty and emotional control. This contrast offered Bellisario a rare chance to step into a fully developed character who leads with logic rather than vulnerability.

Balancing Career and Family Life

Now a mother of two, Bellisario emphasized that the short, eight-episode format of On Call was a key factor in her decision to join the project. The structure allowed her to maintain balance between her professional and personal responsibilities, a growing priority in her career choices.

Looking Ahead

With On Call, Troian Bellisario delivers a compelling performance that underscores her range and maturity as an actress. As she moves beyond the legacy of Pretty Little Liars, Bellisario appears to have found a new direction rooted in authenticity and realism. Tracy Harmon, with her layered humanity and unwavering professionalism, may mark the beginning of a new chapter for the actress — one defined by substance, not spectacle.