Ever wonder why the TV characters of your acne-ridden, awkward teen years looked so put together? Well, aside from having professionals to take care of their hair and makeup needs, a lot of them were well into their 20s while playing high schoolers.
From "90210" to "Pretty Little Liars," these 12 actors are much older than the TV characters they play.
Meredith Monroe
The WB
Meredith Monroe was in her early 30s when her "Dawson's Creek" character Andie McPhee was in high school.
Gabrielle Carteris
Fox
Gabrielle Carteris was 29 when she played a teenager on "Beverly Hills, 90210."
Bianca Lawson
ABC Family
Bianca Lawson is 34, but her "Pretty Little Liars" character Maya St. Germain is in high school.
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Sophie McShera
PBS
Sophie McShera was 26 when her "Downton Abbey" character Daisy was around 11 years old, although her character's actual age is unknown.
Cory Monteith
Fox
Cory Monteith was in his late 20s and early 30s while playing high schooler Finn Hudson on "Glee."
Keiko Agena
The WB
Keiko Agena was 27 when she played teenager Lane Kim on "Gilmore Girls."
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Scott Porter
NBC
Scott Porter was in his late 20s when he played 17-year-old Jason Street on Friday Night Lights.
Minka Kelly
NBC
Minka Kelly was 29 when her "Friday Night Lights" Lyla Garrity character left for college.
Ian Ziering
Fox
Ian Ziering was 26 when he played 15-year-old Steve Sanders on "Beverly Hills, 90210."
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Arden Cho
MTV
28-year-old Arden Cho plays a teenager on MTV's "Teen Wolf."
Troian Bellisario
ABC Family
Troian Bellisario is 28, but her character Spencer Hastings is in high school on "Pretty Little Liars."
Jessica Lu
MTV
28-year-old Jessica Lu plays high schooler Ming Huang on "Awkward."
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"Downton Abbey"
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