'Pretty Little Liars' 星, 星级 Shay Mitchell on Big 'A' Reveal: 'It was kind of insane' 

\'Pretty Little Liars\' Star Shay Mitchell On Big \'A\' Reveal: \'It Was Kind Of Insane\'

"Pretty Little Liars" fans weren't the only ones thrown for a loop after the show's big "A" reveal.

Star Shay Mitchell didn't see it coming, either!

"It was kind of insane," the actress told Liz Hernandez and guest co-host Bryan Safi on Thursday's Access Hollywood Live.

Many viewers waiting years to find out who "A" is were shocked to learn that Alison's estranged sibling, CeCe Drake, was the mysterious figure behind the blackmail, torture and mayhem plaguing Rosewood.

WATCH: 'Pretty Little Liars': On The Set With Lucy Hale

The actress admitted that the twist caught her off guard, but went on to explain that she’d planned it that way. Unlike some of her co-stars, Shay said, she chose to find out at the last possible minute.

"I wasn't one of the actors that asked the writers ahead of time to know who 'A' was. I didn't want to know, because when I get asked it's hard for me to lie," she told Liz and Bryan.

"When I was reading at the table read I was like, 'Wait [mimes flipping pages],'" she laughed. "But it all made sense to me and I had a little sit-down with [showrunner] Marlene King and it was great. I loved the season finale."

Shay went on to address the intense fan reaction. Although many didn't take the development well, the actress said that's to be expected with such a risky narrative decision.

WATCH: Ashley Benson Talks 'Pretty Little Liars'

"I know a lot of people had mixed feelings about it, but then again you can't please everybody," she said. "I thought it was insane."

When asked if she dreaded the criticism, Shay said she actually welcomes any chatter about the show. Above all else, she explained, she's just glad people are talking about it at all.

"No, I love it! I embrace it. I'm like, 'Give it to me!'" she said. "If you're passionate, that's all I want. If you're watching it and you're excited, that's what I want – regardless of your opinion."

"Pretty Little Liars" is set to make another major shift when it returns for the second half of Season 6, but Shay told Liz and Bryan that this one comes with an upside – especially for its maturing cast.

"We're going to be jumping [ahead] five years, which is actually really nice. I'll be playing closer to my age," the 28-year-old said. "I'm out of high school, finally!

"We’re now able to have martinis when all the girls are huddled together," she laughed.

"Pretty Little Liars" is expected to return to ABC Family in 2016. 

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.