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Cruel Summer

2021–2023 · Drama, Mystery · 2 seasons · ★ 7.4

CanceledFreeform+16
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Synopsis of Cruel Summer

Skylin is a small Texas town in the early 1990s. Kate Wallis is the most beloved girl at school, and Jeanette Turner is a sweet but socially awkward young woman. One day Kate vanishes without a trace, and Jeanette's life begins to change in unexpected ways: little by little, she takes her friend's place in the social circle and in everyone's attention. The series is divided into three summers, from 1993 to 1995, and in each one the disappearance continues to weigh on the town. Created by Bert V. Royal and aired on Freeform, the drama stars Olivia Holt and Chiara Aurelia, and traces how that event transforms two teenagers and everyone around them.

«The truth is how you see it.»

2seasons
20episodes
42 minper episode
7.4audience scoreTMDB · 387 votes
7.4IMDb rating22,529 votes

Seasons of Cruel Summer

Season 1Season 12021 · 10 eps · ★ 7.8Season 2Season 22023 · 10 eps · ★ 6.3

Cast by Cruel Summer

Olivia HoltOlivia HoltKate Wallis10 episodes
Chiara AureliaChiara AureliaJeanette Turner10 episodes
Froy GutierrezFroy GutierrezJamie Henson10 episodes
Harley Quinn SmithHarley Quinn SmithMallory Higgins10 episodes
Allius BarnesVince Fuller10 episodes
Brooklyn SudanoBrooklyn SudanoAngela Prescott10 episodes
Blake LeeBlake LeeMartin Harris10 episodes
Michael LandesMichael LandesGreg Turner10 episodes
Sadie StanleySadie StanleyMegan Landry10 episodes
Lexi UnderwoodLexi UnderwoodIsabella LaRue10 episodes
Griffin GluckGriffin GluckLuke Chambers10 episodes
Lisa YamadaLisa YamadaParker Tanaka10 episodes
Sean BlakemoreSean BlakemoreSheriff Myers10 episodes
KaDee StricklandKaDee StricklandDebbie Landry10 episodes
Barrett CarnahanBarrett CarnahanDerek Turner7 episodes
Jason Allen WearJason Allen WearCoffee Shop Patron3 episodes
Vhelma RichardsonAmusement Rider (uncredited)2 episodes
Nathaniel AshtonNathaniel AshtonBen HallowellEpisode 1
Carson CunninghamIntersection TeenEpisode 1

Technical Details

Created by
Bert V. Royal
Address
Bill Purple, Daniel Willis, Alexis Ostrander, Kellie Cyrus, Max Winkler
Writing
Bert V. Royal, Tia Napolitano, Addison McQuigg, Brian Otaño, Savannah Ward
Executive Producer
Michelle Purple, Jessica Biel, Bert V. Royal
Production companies
Entertainment One, Iron Ocean, Entertainment One Television
Network or Platform
Freeform
Country
United States
Original Language
English
Premiere
April 20, 2021
Last Episode
July 31, 2023 (2x10)
Status
Canceled
Type
Fiction
Awards
3 awards and 8 nominations in total.
Links
IMDb · TMDB · Official Website

Trivia about Cruel Summer

The first season was shot over six months in Dallas, Texas, while the second was filmed in Richmond, British Columbia.
Cruel Summer was the most-watched series premiere in Freeform's history, averaging 3.81 million viewers across platforms during its first week.
The second episode features the song "Zombie" by The Cranberries, as part of a soundtrack inspired by the 90s.
The series was originally titled Last Summer until May 2020, when it was renamed Cruel Summer.
In July 2021, it was reported that Bert V. Royal left the series after the pilot due to disagreements with a network executive.
The first season received critical acclaim, especially for the performances of Olivia Holt and Chiara Aurelia.
Freeform canceled "Cruel Summer" in December 2023 after two seasons, as part of a Disney cost-cutting policy; the network determined that its audience numbers did not justify a renewal.
In August 2025, it was reported that Hulu and Freeform were developing a third season starring Olivia Holt, who would also serve as executive producer, alongside Cori Uchida and Adam Lash as showrunners.

Sources: Wikipedia (English) · Wikipedia (Spanish)

Trailer for Cruel Summer

Cruel Summer Trailer

Where to Watch Cruel Summer

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More info and links

Cast of Cruel Summer in other movies and series

Olivia HoltKate Wallis
Totally KillerMovieTroubleMovieMarvel's Cloak & DaggerSeriesStatus UpdateMovieMarvel's RunawaysSeriesTinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeastMovie
Brooklyn SudanoAngela Prescott
ProtectorMovieTakenSeries11.22.63SeriesBallersSeriesThe UnitSeriesCSI: NYSeriesWithout a TraceSeriesMy Wife and KidsSeries
Michael LandesGreg Turner
Den of Thieves 2: PanteraMovieArthurMovieThe OfferSeriesAngel Has FallenMovieS.W.A.T.SeriesShot CallerMovieDon't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23SeriesBurlesqueMovie
Sadie StanleyMegan Landry
Karate Kid: LegendsMovieDead to MeSeriesPEN15SeriesThe GoldbergsSeriesCriminal MindsSeries
Griffin GluckLuke Chambers
Time CutMovieLocke & KeySeriesAmerican VandalSeriesWhy Him?MovieSilicon ValleySeriesJust Go with ItMoviePrivate PracticeSeriesThe OfficeSeries

Top-Rated Episodes

  1. 1x09 A Secret of My Own ★ 8.2
  2. 1x10 Hostile Witness ★ 8.1
  3. 1x02 A Smashing Good Time ★ 7.8
  4. 1x03 Off with a Bang ★ 7.7
  5. 1x01 Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner ★ 7.4

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many seasons does Cruel Summer have?

Cruel Summer has 2 seasons and 20 episodes in total.

Where to watch Cruel Summer?

Cruel Summer is available by subscription on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads (offer may vary by country).

Has Cruel Summer ended?

Yes. Cruel Summer was canceled, and its final episode aired on July 31, 2023.

Who is in Cruel Summer?

The main cast includes Olivia Holt (Kate Wallis), Chiara Aurelia (Jeanette Turner), Froy Gutierrez (Jamie Henson) and Harley Quinn Smith (Mallory Higgins).

Who created Cruel Summer?

Cruel Summer is created by Bert V. Royal.

How long does it take to watch all of Cruel Summer?

With episodes of about 42 minutes, watching all 20 episodes takes approximately 14 hours.

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