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Cruel Summer
2021 - 2023 7.4 (344 votes) 2 Seasons
Official Website
Genres
Drama Mystery
Networks
Freeform
Created By
Bert V. Royal

Cruel Summer

The truth is how you see it.

Overview

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.

Key Crew

Top Cast

Sadie Stanley
Sadie Stanley

Megan Landry

Lexi Underwood
Lexi Underwood

Isabella LaRue

Griffin Gluck
Griffin Gluck

Luke Chambers

Lisa Yamada
Lisa Yamada

Parker Tanaka

Sean Blakemore
Sean Blakemore

Sheriff Myers

KaDee Strickland
KaDee Strickland

Debbie Strickland

Seasons

Season 1 poster
Season 1 (2021)

No overview available.

10 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
2021-04-20

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.

Runtime: 46 min
Episode 2: A Smashing Good Time
2021-04-20

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.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 3: Off with a Bang
2021-04-27

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.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 4: You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
2021-05-04

Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 5: As the Carny Gods Intended
2021-05-11

Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to lose herself.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 6: An Ocean in Me
2021-05-18

A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 7: Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
2021-05-25

Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has a birthday surprise.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 8: Proof
2021-06-01

On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 9: A Secret of My Own
2021-06-08

Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 10: Hostile Witness
2021-06-15

Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the answer comes with a price that not everyone can pay.

Runtime: 45 min
Season 2 poster
Season 2 (2023)

Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, season 2 follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella and Megan’s best friend Luke, the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward.

10 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Welcome to Chatham
2023-06-05

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.

Runtime: 42 min
Episode 2: Ride or Die
2023-06-05

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.

Runtime: 42 min
Episode 3: Bloody Knuckles
2023-06-12

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.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 4: Springing a Leak
2023-06-19

In Summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang. In Winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and Isabella to a messy night at the Chambers house. Isabella wants to help but is met with resistance from Megan.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 5: All I Want for Christmas
2023-06-26

In Summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past. In Winter 1999, Isabella’s concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising news. In Summer 2000, family loyalties are tested.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 6: The Plunge
2023-07-03

In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party. In winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke. In summer 2000, Megan obsesses over an interesting letter she received.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 7: It's the End of the World
2023-07-10

In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K. At the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever. In summer 2000, suspicion falls on Ned after some new evidence from summer 1999 comes to light.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 8: Confess Your Sins
2023-07-17

In summer 1999, new friendships are formed and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash. In winter 1999, Megan and Isabella push for answers. In summer 2000, Debbie wants to protect her daughter.

Runtime: 42 min
Episode 9: The Miseducation of Luke Chambers
2023-07-24

Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a “Chambers man” have changed him.

Runtime: 41 min
Episode 10: Endgame
2023-07-31

As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges, and the shocking truth is revealed...in more ways than one.

Runtime: 44 min

Videos

Cruel Summer | Trailer: Happy Birthday | Freeform

Cruel Summer | Trailer: She's No Angel | Freeform

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