She is the show's protagonist, born Amanda Clarke, she returns to the Hamptons using a new identity, Emily Thorne – a wealthy socialite dedicated to charity work – to exact revenge on the people responsible for her father's death and wrongful conviction for terrorism. As a youth, she spent time in a juvenile detention center, unaware of her father's innocence until her release when Nolan Ross approaches her. He tells her that her father was framed and presents her with her father's share of NolCorp, 49% of the closely held stock, a result of her father's funding the company's start-up. After realizing that Nolan is telling the truth, she decides to clear her father's name. She undergoes training with Takeda, during which time she meets and has a relationship with Aiden Mathis. Their relationship ends when he abandons her after agreeing to take her with him. She makes preparations for her return to the Hamptons – trading identities with her former cellmate in juvenile detention, as well as taking notes on Daniel Grayson. After arriving in the Hamptons, Emily Thorne buys her father's former house next door to the Graysons and becomes romantically involved with Daniel in order to get closer to his family. She accepts his marriage proposal but their relationship falters as Daniel grows more like his family. They finally break off the engagement after she kisses Jack. After learning that Charlotte is her half-sister, Emily ultimately chooses to protect her from her revenge against the Graysons, although she does ultimately use her to take Conrad down.