Credit: Video Screenshot, 'Cruel Summer', FreeformIn 2021, Freeform — formerly called ABC Family — released a new teen drama mystery thriller series called Cruel Summer. The series starred Olivia Holt as Kate Wallis, a beautiful and popular girl who suddenly goes missing in the summer of 1993. Jeanette Turner, a socially awkward girl one year younger than Kate, seemingly steps into Kate’s role, going through a major glow-up, becoming friends with Kate’s best friends, and even dating Kate’s boyfriend.
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After being missing for one year, Kate is found, and both girls’ lives are thrown into chaos. Kate accuses Jeanette of witnessing her abduction and remaining silent. Jeanette becomes one of the most hated people in America, and as a legal battle ensues, Jeanette fights to prove her innocence.
However, viewers discover that Jeanette is not the totally innocent teen that she claims to be. She is not the victim.
Season one of Cruel Summer was incredibly successful and was actually Freeform’s most-watched series debut. Fans were kept guessing until the very end and were shocked by what they learned.
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Two years later, season two of Cruel Summer premiered, featuring new teens and new trouble. Season two starred Sadie Stanley as Megan Landry, a smart high school student who codes in her free time and dreams of going to the University of Washington as a Computer Science major.
In the summer of 1999, Megan’s family welcomes fellow teen Isabella LaRue (Lexi Underwood) into their home as a foreign exchange student. Isabella and Megan quickly develop a tight bond, but that bond is tested when they both develop feelings for Megan’s childhood best friend, Luke.
A sex tape is leaked that changes everything, and even leads to Luke’s murder. Megan and Isabella soon find themselves at the center of the investigation, the two women turn on each other, and Isabella shows her true colors.
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Unfortunately, season two did not fare as well as season one. While the show still brought in a decent number of viewers, it did not bring in as many who were as invested in the new story. It was also not as well-received critically as the first season. This led to the series being canceled in 2023.
However, we never say never, and it looks like Freeform and Hulu have decided that the series deserves another shot.
And this time, it will rely on the original characters fans loved to hate in season one!
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According to a report from Variety, Hulu and Freeform are working to revive the canceled series, and they are bringing back Olivia Holt to reprise her role as Kate Wallis.
Variety has learned exclusively from sources that a third season of “Cruel Summer” is currently in development at Hulu and Freeform.
Olivia Holt would star in and executive produce the new season, reprising the role of Kate Wallis from Season 1 of the series. In addition, Cori Uchida and Adam Lash have boarded as showrunners and executive producers. Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple would once again executive produce via Iron Ocean. Lionsgate TV is the studio.
At this time, Disney has not commented on the series revival, and no further details have been released. We do not know if any other actors from the first season will return to revive their roles as well. We also do not know if the new season will take place immediately following the events of the first season, or if it will take place years later.
Inside the Magic will keep readers updated as the series moves forward, casting decisions are made, and more details on potential storylines are released.
Did you watch Cruel Summer when it was on Freeform? Did you watch both seasons? Which did you think was better? Are you excited to learn that the new season will go back to follow the storyline of the first season? Let us know all your thoughts on Cruel Summer in the comments!