A lot is going down in the first three episodes of Freeform’s midseason series Cruel Summer. The network has released episode descriptions for the two-episode Series Premiere (starting at 9pm), along with episode three, which is set to air the following week at its regular time slot, 10pm. The synopsis for the three episodes, along with their respective titles are as follows:
“Happy Birthday Jeanette Turner” – Episode #1 – April 20 (9pm)
Taking place over three 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.
“A Smashing Good Time” – Episode #2 – April 20 (10pm)
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.
“Off With a Bang” – Episode #3 – April 27 (10pm)
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.
Cruel Summer is a psychological thriller that follows two young women: Kate Wallis, the popular girl with a charmed life who one day goes missing, and Jeanette Turner, the nerdy wannabe who is accused of being connected to Kate’s disappearance. All signs point to Jeanette’s guilt, but is Kate really who she seems to be?
Set over three summers and told through shifting points of view, the series challenges perception and follows how one girl can go from being a sweet outlier to the most despised person in America.
The series stars Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Michael Landes, Froy Gutierrez, Harley Quinn Smith, Allius Barnes, Blake Lee and Brooklyn Sudano.
The two-hour Series Premiere of Cruel Summer airs Tuesday, April 20, at 9pm on Freeform.