Edit filter log

'{{Short description|2021 American drama thriller television series}} {{Infobox television | name = Cruel Summer | image = | image_size = | caption = | genre = {{Plainlist| * [[Drama (film and television)|Drama]] * [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]] }} | creator = [[Bert V. Royal]] | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Olivia Holt]] * Chiara Aurelia * [[Froy Gutierrez]] * [[Harley Quinn Smith]] * Allius Barnes * Blake Lee * [[Michael Landes]] * [[Brooklyn Sudano]] * Nathaniel Ashton }} | music = | country = United States | language = English | num_seasons = 1<!--Only increment as a new season premieres, per the documentation of the template.--> | num_episodes = 2<!--Only increment as a new episode premieres, per the documentation of the template.--> | list_episodes = | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| * Bert V. Royal * [[Jessica Biel]] * Michelle Purple * [[Max Winkler (director)|Max Winkler]] }} | producer = | location = | cinematography = | editor = | camera = | runtime = | company = {{Plainlist| * [[Entertainment One]] * Iron Ocean Productions }} | network = [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2021|4|20}} | last_aired = {{End date|present}} | website = | website_title = }} '''''Cruel Summer''''' is an American [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] television series created by [[Bert V. Royal]] that premiered on [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]] on April 20, 2021.<ref name="SeriesPremiere"/> ==Premise== The show depicts the long-term effects of a kidnapping on a community of Skylin, Texas, focusing on three days over the course of three years in 1993, 1994, and 1995. It is about two young women: Kate Wallis is a beloved popular girl who one day disappears without a trace; and Jeanette Turner is a nerdy wannabe who is accused in the case of Kate's disappearance, which results in her becoming the most despised person in America. Each episode follows a different character as the story unfolds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/reviews/cruel-summer-freeform-review-chiara-aurelia-olivia-holt-1234950402/|title=Freeform's 'Cruel Summer' Tells a Haunting, Intriguing Story in Three Parts: TV Review|website=Variety|first=Daniel|last=D'Addario|date=April 13, 2021|access-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref> ==Cast and characters== ===Main=== * [[Olivia Holt]] as Kate Wallis<ref name="MainCast">{{cite web|url=https://www.dgepress.com/freeform/shows/cruel-summer/bios/|title=Cruel Summer Bios|work=Disney General Entertainment Content Press|accessdate=February 28, 2021}}</ref>, a popular girl who goes missing without a trace. * Chiara Aurelia as Jeanette Turner<ref name="MainCast"/>, a nerdy girl who takes over Kate’s life after her disappearance. * [[Froy Gutierrez]] as Jamie Henson<ref name="MainCast"/>, Jeanette’s new boyfriend and Kate’s ex-boyfriend. * [[Harley Quinn Smith]] as Mallory Higgins<ref name="MainCast"/>, one of Jeanette’s best friends before her newfound popularity. * Allius Barnes as Vince Fuller<ref name="MainCast"/>, one of Jeanette’s best friends before her newfound popularity. * Blake Lee as Martin Harris<ref name="MainCast"/>, the new assistant principal and Kate’s kidnapper. * [[Michael Landes]] as Greg Turner<ref name="MainCast"/>, Jeanette’s father. * [[Brooklyn Sudano]] as Angela Prescott<ref name="MainCast"/>, a bartender and Greg’s new girlfriend. * Nathaniel Ashton as Ben ===Recurring=== * [[Sarah Drew]] as Cindy Turner * Barrett Carnahan as Derek Turner * [[Andrea Anders]] as Joy Wallis * Benjamin J. Cain as Rod Wallis * [[Nicole Bilderback]] as Denise Harper ==Episodes== {{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall= |title= |titleR=<ref name="Disney General Entertainment Content">{{cite web|url=https://www.dgepress.com/freeform/shows/cruel-summer/episodes/|title=Cruel Summer Episodes|website=Disney General Entertainment Content|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR=<ref name="Disney General Entertainment Content"/>|viewers= |country=U.S. |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 1 | Title = Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner | DirectedBy = | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|4|20}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = On June 21, 1993, nerdy Jeanette Turner celebrates her birthday with her parents and brother. After bumping into the popular Kate Wallace and her boyfriend, Jamie Hensen, at the mall, Jeanette and her friends Mallory and Vince create a bucket list to complete now that she’s fifteen. While playing hide and seek in a house her father recently sold, Jeanette meets the new vice principal, Martin Harris. On June 21, 1994, Kate has been missing for around a year. The newly popular Jeanette celebrates her birthday with Vince, who is now her boyfriend, and her new friends who used to be Kate’s friends. This sparks jealously and anger from Mallory, who Jeanette seemingly left behind. After having an almost perfect day, Jeanette discovers that Kate has been found alive. On June 21, 1935, Jeanette is now the most despised person in America. Her birthday is spent meeting with lawyers and fighting with her dad and his new girlfriend. Watching reruns of the news, it’s revealed that Kate had been abducted by Martin Harris, who was later killed in a shootout. On a national interview, Kate announces that a girl had seen her a couple months into her abduction but said nothing and let Kate go on suffering in captivity. Calling her out by name, Kate condemns Jeanette. <!-- Episode summaries must be expressed in your own words. Do NOT submit content you find from another web site as it is plagiarism and likely a copyright violation, which Wikipedia cannot accept and will be removed or reverted. Superficially modifying copyrighted content or closely paraphrasing it, even if the source is cited, still constitutes a copyright violation. Summaries should be about 100 to 200 words in length, per MOS:TVPLOT, and those substantially less than 100 words are most likely to be scrutinized for possible copyright violation. --> | LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 2 | Title = A Smashing Good Time | DirectedBy = | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|4|20}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = <!-- Episode summaries must be expressed in your own words. Do NOT submit content you find from another web site as it is plagiarism and likely a copyright violation, which Wikipedia cannot accept and will be removed or reverted. Superficially modifying copyrighted content or closely paraphrasing it, even if the source is cited, still constitutes a copyright violation. Summaries should be about 100 to 200 words in length, per MOS:TVPLOT, and those substantially less than 100 words are most likely to be scrutinized for possible copyright violation. --> | LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 3 | Title = Off with a Bang | DirectedBy = | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|4|27}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = <!-- Episode summaries must be expressed in your own words. Do NOT submit content you find from another web site as it is plagiarism and likely a copyright violation, which Wikipedia cannot accept and will be removed or reverted. Superficially modifying copyrighted content or closely paraphrasing it, even if the source is cited, still constitutes a copyright violation. Summaries should be about 100 to 200 words in length, per MOS:TVPLOT, and those substantially less than 100 words are most likely to be scrutinized for possible copyright violation. --> | LineColor = 000000 }} }} ==Production== ===Development=== On September 25, 2019, [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]] gave ''Last Summer'' a pilot order.<ref name="PilotOrder">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/freeform-orders-pilot-last-summer-drama-thriller-bert-v-royal-jessica-biel-michelle-purple-max-winkler-eone-1202744316/|title=Freeform Orders 'Last Summer' Drama Pilot From Bert V. Royal, Jessica Biel, Max Winkler & eOne|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=May 19, 2020}}</ref> On January 17, 2020, ''Last Summer'' was picked to series. The series was created by [[Bert V. Royal]] who was also expected to executive produce alongside [[Jessica Biel]], Michelle Purple, and [[Max Winkler (director)|Max Winkler]] who also directed the pilot. The production companies involved with the series are [[Entertainment One]] and Iron Ocean Productions.<ref name="SeriesOrder">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/last-summer-freeform-picks-up-jessica-biel-thriller-to-series-1202834155/|title='Last Summer': Freeform Picks Up Jessica Biel-Produced Thriller To Series – TCA|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Peter|last=White|date=January 17, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2020}}</ref> On May 18, 2020, ''Last Summer'' was retitled as ''Cruel Summer''.<ref name="Retitled">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/last-summer-olivia-holt-cast-lead-recasting-freeform-series-cruel-summer-new-title-jessica-biel-1202937333/|title='Last Summer': Olivia Holt Set As Lead In Recasting, Jessica Biel-Produced Freeform Series Gets New Title|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=May 18, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2020}}</ref> The series premiered on April 20, 2021.<ref name="SeriesPremiere">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/freeform-first-look-premiere-date-jessica-biel-cruel-summer-tca-1234701338/|title=Freeform Unveils First-Look At Jessica Biel-Produced Series 'Cruel Summer' – TCA|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=February 26, 2021|access-date=February 28, 2021}}</ref> ===Casting=== On November 13, 2019, it was reported that [[Michael Landes]], [[Brooklyn Sudano]], [[Harley Quinn Smith]], Chiara Aurelia, Mika Abdalla, [[Froy Gutierrez]], Allius Barnes, Blake Lee, and Nathaniel Ashton were cast in series regular roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/last-summer-jessica-biels-freeform-thriller-eone-michael-landes-brooklyn-sudano-harley-quinn-smith-chiara-aurelia-mika-abdalla-froy-gutierrez-allius-barnes-blake-lee-nathaniel-ashton-1202785108/|title='Last Summer': Jessica Biel-Produced Freeform Thriller Sets Michael Landes, Brooklyn Sudano, Harley Quinn Smith And 6 More As Series Regulars|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Dino-Ray|last=Ramos|date=November 13, 2019|accessdate=May 19, 2020}}</ref> On May 18, 2020, [[Olivia Holt]] had replaced Mika Abdalla.<ref name="Retitled"/> On October 30, 2020, [[Sarah Drew]] joined the cast in a recurring role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/cruel-summer-sarah-drew-recur-jessica-biel-produced-freeform-series-1234606278/|title='Cruel Summer': Sarah Drew To Recur On Jessica Biel-Produced Freeform Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=October 30, 2020|accessdate=December 3, 2020}}</ref> On March 11, 2021, Barrett Carnahan, [[Andrea Anders]], Benjamin J. Cain, and [[Nicole Bilderback]] were cast in recurring roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/cruel-summer-barrett-carnahan-andrea-anders-benjamin-j-cain-nicole-bilderback-freeform-thriller-series-recurring-1234711934/|title='Cruel Summer': Barrett Carnahan, Andrea Anders, Benjamin J. Cain & Nicole Bilderback Join Freeform Thriller Series As Recurring|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 11, 2021|access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> ==Reception== <!--===Critical response===--> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the series holds an approval rating of 89% based on 9 critic reviews, with an average rating of 9/10.<!--The website's critical consensus states,--><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/cruel_summer/s01|title=Cruel Summer: Season 1 (2021)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], it has a weighted average score of 81 out of 100 based on 5 critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/cruel-summer/season-1|title=Cruel Summer: Season 1|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> <!--===Ratings=== {{Television episode ratings | width = 99 | nosshare = y | title1 = [[#ep1|Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner]] | date1 = April 20, 2021 | rs1 = | viewers1 = | dvr1 = | dvrv1 = | total1 = | totalv1 = | title2 = [[#ep2|A Smashing Good Time]] | date2 = April 20, 2021 | rs2 = | viewers2 = | dvr2 = | dvrv2 = | total2 = | totalv2 = | title3 = [[#ep3|Off with a Bang]] | date3 = April 27, 2021 | rs3 = | viewers3 = | dvr3 = | dvrv3 = | total3 = | totalv3 = | title4 = [[#ep4|]] | date4 = | rs4 = | viewers4 = | dvr4 = | dvrv4 = | total4 = | totalv4 = | title5 = [[#ep5|]] | date5 = | rs5 = | viewers5 = | dvr5 = | dvrv5 = | total5 = | totalv5 = | title6 = [[#ep6|]] | date6 = | rs6 = | viewers6 = | dvr6 = | dvrv6 = | total6 = | totalv6 = | title7 = [[#ep7|]] | date7 = | rs7 = | viewers7 = | dvr7 = | dvrv7 = | total7 = | totalv7 = | title8 = [[#ep8|]] | date8 = | rs8 = | viewers8 = | dvr8 = | dvrv8 = | total8 = | totalv8 = | title9 = [[#ep9|]] | date9 = | rs9 = | viewers9 = | dvr9 = | dvrv9 = | total9 = | totalv9 = | title10 = [[#ep10|]] | date10 = | rs10 = | viewers10 = | dvr10 = | dvrv10 = | total10 = | totalv10 = }}--> == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{IMDb title|11083696}} {{Freeform}} [[Category:2021 American television series debuts]] [[Category:2020s American drama television series]] [[Category:English-language television shows]] [[Category:Freeform (TV channel) original programming]] [[Category:American thriller television series]] [[Category:Television series by Entertainment One]] [[Category:Television shows set in Texas]] [[Category:Television series about missing people]] [[Category:Television series set in the 1990s]] {{US-drama-tv-prog-stub}}'