7 Shocking Secrets About Daniel 'Salty Dan' From We Were Liars (The TV Series Changes Everything)

The mystery of Beechwood Island and the deeply flawed Sinclair family continues to captivate audiences, especially with the recent Prime Video series adaptation. As of December 13, 2025, the conversation around E. Lockhart's iconic novel, *We Were Liars*, is more vibrant than ever, fueled by the show’s success and the anticipation for the upcoming sequel novel, *We Fell Apart*, and Season 2 of the series. While much of the focus is on the four "Liars"—Cadence, Gat, Johnny, and Mirren—a seemingly minor character, Daniel, better known as "Salty Dan," holds a surprisingly important, and often changed, place in the narrative, particularly when comparing the book to the screen. The character known as Salty Dan is more than just the island's harbor service guy; he is a crucial entity representing the 'outside world' and a point of tension against the wealthy, insular Sinclair dynasty. His role, while small, highlights the family's materialism, their emotional suppression, and the stark class divide that permeates the Beechwood estate. Understanding Daniel's background, his interactions, and the subtle ways his character was adapted for television reveals deeper layers to the entire tragedy.

Who is Daniel "Salty Dan"? A Profile of Beechwood's Harbor Man

Daniel, affectionately or perhaps dismissively nicknamed "Salty Dan" by the Sinclairs, is a background character who plays a small but pivotal role in the world of *We Were Liars*. He is the man responsible for the harbor services at Beechwood Island, handling the boats, supplies, and general logistics that keep the wealthy Sinclair family operating in their secluded summer paradise.

• Full Name: Daniel (Often referred to as "Salty Dan").
• Role: Harbor Service Guy / Island Porter at Beechwood Island.
• Significance: Represents the working class and the 'outsiders' to the exclusive Sinclair family.
• Series Portrayal: In the 2024 Prime Video series adaptation, Daniel "Salty Dan" is portrayed by actor Tim Rozon.
• Key Interaction: His character is most notable due to his connection with the Sinclair aunts, particularly Bess.

In the original novel by E. Lockhart, Salty Dan is a fleeting presence, often mentioned in passing, but his existence is a constant reminder that the Sinclair world, despite its isolation, is reliant on people outside their bloodline. The show, however, brought him to life and, in doing so, altered a key piece of the family drama that he was associated with.

The Salty Dan Controversy: Book vs. Prime Video Series

One of the most discussed subtle changes between the *We Were Liars* novel and the Prime Video series involves the subplot surrounding the Sinclair aunts and Salty Dan. This change has significant implications for the portrayal of Bess Sinclair and the overall theme of the family's emotional and moral decay.

The Original Book's Implication (The Affair Theory)

In the book's narrative, there is a strong implication, or at least a pervasive fan theory, that one of the Sinclair daughters, Bess, engaged in an affair with Salty Dan. This theory is rooted in the constant tension and financial pressures among the aunts—Carrie, Bess, and Penny—who are desperately vying for their father Harris Sinclair's approval and inheritance. The idea of Bess, a wealthy Sinclair, seeking solace or rebellion with the island's working-class porter served as a potent symbol of the family's deep-seated dysfunction and unhappiness, suggesting that even their privileged lives were riddled with infidelity and emotional voids. This potential affair was a secret that further complicated the already strained relationships among the aunts.

The Series' Decision: A Plot Twist Removal

The Prime Video series adaptation made a conscious choice to remove this specific plot point. According to the show's canon, Bess does not cheat on her husband, Brody, with Salty Dan. This alteration simplifies Bess’s character arc, focusing the family's drama more squarely on the financial rivalry and the immediate aftermath of the fire, rather than on a romantic transgression with an outsider. The show runners likely decided to streamline the narrative, keeping the focus on the core mystery and the Liars' tragic actions, while still utilizing Daniel as a recurring figure in the Beechwood setting.

Why Salty Dan Matters: A Symbol of the Sinclair Divide

Despite his limited screen time and the removal of the affair plot, Salty Dan remains a powerful, albeit subtle, entity in the *We Were Liars* universe. His presence serves several critical narrative functions that underscore the novel's central themes of class, privilege, and the illusion of perfection.

1. The Outsider’s Perspective: Daniel is one of the few recurring characters who is not a Sinclair. He sees the family's opulence, their petty squabbles, and their dramatic emotional breakdowns from an objective, service-oriented distance. He is a silent witness to the decay of the Sinclair legacy.
2. A Reminder of Privilege: The very fact that a character like Daniel is needed to perform the manual labor and upkeep of Beechwood Island emphasizes the extreme wealth and detachment of the Sinclair patriarch, Harris Sinclair, and his daughters. They are incapable of or unwilling to perform the tasks necessary for their own comfort, relying on the 'hired help.'
3. A Contrast to Gat: Salty Dan’s working-class status provides a parallel contrast to Gat Patil, who is also an 'outsider' in the Sinclair world, though Gat is included through his relationship with Cadence Sinclair Eastman and Johnny. Both Gat and Daniel highlight the rigid social structure and the inherent classism within the Sinclair family’s dynamics.
4. A Source of Island Authenticity: He is "salty" in the sense of being a true man of the sea and the island, contrasting with the Sinclairs who merely *vacation* there. He is a part of the island's true identity, which the family attempts to own and control.

The Future of the We Were Liars Universe: Sequels and Season 2

The current wave of interest in Salty Dan and the other characters is directly tied to the expansion of the *We Were Liars* universe, providing fresh content for fans in 2025 and beyond. The Prime Video series has been renewed for a second season, with some sources indicating a filming start in the summer of 2026. It is widely expected that Season 2 will be based on E. Lockhart's prequel novel, *Family of Liars*, which delves into the secrets of the older generation, including the aunts, during their own "Summer Seventeen." While Salty Dan may not be a major character, the exploration of the aunts' past could potentially shed new light on their relationship with the island and the people who worked there, including Daniel. Furthermore, E. Lockhart is set to release a new novel, *We Fell Apart: A We Were Liars Novel*, on November 4, 2025. This book is confirmed to follow new characters with their own secrets, separate from the main Liars storyline. While it is an entirely new story, its existence keeps the world of the Sinclair family and Beechwood Island alive, ensuring that minor entities like Salty Dan remain relevant in fan discussions as they speculate on any potential cameos or thematic connections. The continued success of the adaptations and new books solidifies *We Were Liars* as a modern Young Adult classic, with "Salty Dan" serving as a quiet, constant fixture in its dramatic landscape.