TV Interview!
Interview with Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood and Griffin Gluck of “Cruel Summer” season 2 on Freeform by Suzanne 5/5/23
It was great to speak with these young actors… I hope you can check out the show. It’s an anthology series, so the cast and story for this season two is completely different than season one. It’s a very interesting show with a good mystery. It premieres Sunday, June 5 on Freeform!
MORE INFO: Trailer
Freeform’s ‘Cruel Summer’ Renewed for Second Season
Jessica Biel Produced Series Is Freeform’s Most-Watched Series Ever, and
Hulu’s Most-Watched Next-Day Season One Title From a Linear Channel to Date
The Series Is The No. 1 Most Engaged New Scripted Cable Series On Social In 2021
Freeform*
- Freeform has renewed its most-watched series ever, “Cruel Summer,” for season two, ahead of the season one finale airing today, Tuesday, June 15, at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT on Freeform, streaming next day on Hulu.
- “Cruel Summer” is the first scripted series to debut under Freeform President Tara Duncan.
- “Cruel Summer” is the network’s most-watched series ever, ranking as the No. 1 new cable drama of the year among Women 18-34, with the most recent episode delivering the drama’s biggest linear TV audience yet—surging by 31% over its premiere. In MP35, the series averages 6.8 million viewers per episode.
- On Hulu, “Cruel Summer” was the most-watched next-day season one title from a linear channel in its first seven weeks to date.
- “Cruel Summer” is the No. 1 most engaged new scripted cable series on social in 2021.
- “Renewing ‘Cruel Summer’ for a season two was an easy decision,” stated Duncan. “It’s the biggest series debut in Freeform’s history, and the audience response has been overwhelmingly positive. Jessica, Michelle and Tia did a phenomenal job telling an addictive story that’s tapped into the cultural zeitgeist. I’m excited to see where they take the series next.”
- “Collaborating with Iron Ocean, our dedicated crew, charismatic cast, and our partners at Freeform and eOne have been the best first showrunning experience I could ask for. I am beyond grateful and excited by the amazing fan response to our show! Continuing to bottle ‘Cruel Summer’ magic for a season two is an absolute dream come true,” says Tia Napolitano.
- “We are so proud of this show and the incredible cast and crew who brought so much hard work and grit to every single scene. This wouldn’t have been possible without them and our mastermind showrunner, Tia Napolitano. To be picked up for a second season is a dream, and we have so many ideas for where we can take this next. We are excited to get to work with our brilliant team of creatives on this project, in addition to our partners at Freeform and eOne, including Jackie Sacerio, who brought the project to us. To the audiences who have been tuning into this show week in and week out, THANK YOU!!! This is all for you!” added executive producers Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple of Iron Ocean Productions.
- From executive producer Jessica Biel (“The Sinner”), “Cruel Summer” is a psychological thriller that follows two young women..“Cruel Summer” comes from studio eOne and was created by Bert V. Royal. Tia Napolitano serves as showrunner. Executive producers include Napolitano, Royal and Iron Ocean Productions’ Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple.
- On tonight’s all-new episode titled “Hostile Witness,” 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.
*COPYRIGHT ©2021 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Freeform Announces New Cast for the Highly Anticipated ‘Cruel Summer’ Season Two
— Sadie Stanley, Griffin Gluck and Newcomer Eloise Payet Set To Lead Ensemble Cast —
Freeform’s “Cruel Summer” returns as an anthology with a fresh mystery and cast when its highly anticipated second season premieres later this year. Executive produced by Emmy® Award nominee Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple (“The Sinner,” “Candy”) through Iron Ocean Productions and from studio eOne, the first season of “Cruel Summer” was a critical and ratings smash, making it Freeform’s most-watched series in network history.
Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of “Cruel Summer” 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.
Sadie Stanley (“The Goldbergs”) will star as Megan Landry, a computer coder and honor student from a blue-collar family. Once Megan meets Isabella, she begins to live in the moment and embrace her true self. When events take a tragic turn, her long-held dreams are dashed, and she is left wondering who she can trust.
Eloise Payet portrays the alluring and enigmatic Isabella, the daughter of foreign diplomats, who is spending a year as an exchange student with the Landry family. She quickly shakes up life in this small town, but her charm can’t hide the truth about her past or the real reason she came to live with the Landrys forever.
Griffin Gluck (“Locke & Key”) plays Luke Chambers, Megan’s lifelong best friend from a prominent family. Over time, Luke finds himself at a crossroads as he tries to establish his own place in the world, separate from the expectations of his powerful father.
KaDee Strickland (“Private Practice”) stars as Debbie, Megan’s hardworking single mom who thinks hosting Isabella will open Megan’s eyes to a bigger world than their small town. Lisa Yamada (“Little Fires Everywhere”) is Parker, a popular musician who becomes more cynical as the world takes a dark turn around her. Sean Blakemore (“Greenleaf”) will play Sheriff Myer, an old-fashioned law-and-order type, under pressure to solve the first major crime in Chatham. Paul Adelstein (“True Story”) will recur as Steve Chambers, Luke’s high-profile dad, whose influence in town is far-reaching.
“Cruel Summer” comes from studio eOne and was created by Bert V. Royal. Elle Triedman serves as showrunner. Executive producers include Triedman, Bill Purple, Tia Napolitano, and Iron Ocean Productions’ Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple. The series is distributed internationally by eOne.
Freeform Releases Its TV Offerings for June 2023 With the Premiere of the Highly Anticipated Second Season of ‘Cruel Summer’
“CRUEL SUMMER” SEASON TWO
June 5 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) – Episode #2001 – “Welcome to Chatham” – SEASON TWO PREMIERE
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 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) – Episode #2002– “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 12 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) – Episode #2003 – “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 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) – Episode #2004 – “Springing a Leak”
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.
June 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) – Episode #2005– “All I Want for Christmas”
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.
Proofread and Edited by Brenda
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