Series synopsis
Cruel Summer is an American drama mystery television series that premiered on Freeform on April 20, 2021. It ended on July 31, 2023. It was created by Bert V. Royal. It stars Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Froy Gutierrez and Harley Quinn Smith.
Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.
Premise
Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.
Premise: The truth is how you see it.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Olivia Holt as Kate Wallis
- Chiara Aurelia as Jeanette Turner
- Froy Gutierrez as Jamie Henson
- Harley Quinn Smith as Mallory Higgins
- Allius Barnes as Vince Fuller
- Brooklyn Sudano as Angela Prescott
- Blake Lee as Martin Harris
- Michael Landes as Greg Turner
Supporting cast
- Sadie Stanley as Megan Landry
- Lexi Underwood as Isabella LaRue
- Griffin Gluck as Luke Chambers
- Lisa Yamada as Parker Tanaka
- Sean Blakemore as Sheriff Myers
- KaDee Strickland as Debbie Strickland
Guest cast
- Barrett Carnahan as Derek Turner
- Jason Allen Wear as Mall Goer
- Nathaniel Ashton as Ben Hallowell
- Carson Cunningham as Intersection Teen
- Vhelma Richardson as Mall Shopper (uncredited)
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 20 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | April 20, 2021 | June 15, 2021 |
| Season 2 | 10 | June 5, 2023 | July 31, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America. |
April 20, 2021 |
| 2 |
A Smashing Good Time It’s time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened to Kate, keeping their secrets buried and maintaining appearances. |
April 20, 2021 |
| 3 |
Off with a Bang Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more. |
April 27, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Welcome to Chatham In Summer 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella. Little does she know how her life will change by Summer 2000. |
June 5, 2023 |
| 2 |
Ride or Die In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan. In Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas party. |
June 5, 2023 |
| 3 |
Bloody Knuckles In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers’ cabin. Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing more problems for his dad. Suspicions are raised after fingerprints are found on the gun that shot Luke. |
June 12, 2023 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Freeform |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 20, 2021 |
| Last aired | July 31, 2023 |
| Runtime | 42 minutes |
| Status | canceled |
| Schedule | Monday at 22:00:00 |