Freeform has renewed Cruel Summer for a second season, the network announced Tuesday. This comes as no surprise, as the teen mystery thriller is the network’s most watched series debut ever, and is now its most watched series ever.
“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,” said executive producers Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple of Iron Ocean Productions.
“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!”
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The renewal news comes ahead of the Season 2 finale, titled “Hostile Witness,” which airs tonight at 10pm on Freeform. Per the official description of the episode: 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.
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.
We’re still not sure if Season 2 will continue the current season’s Kate & Jeanette story, if a new mystery will be introduced in tonight’s finale, or even if it will be an entirely new story and cast, anthology style. We’ll just have to watch and find out if tonight’s episode wraps everything up.
Are you hoping the story continues, or would you prefer to see a new story for Cruel Summer Season 2? Let us know in the comments below!