Freeform’s Hit Show “Cruel Summer” is Renewed for a Second Season!

How did Cruel Summer, a show set in the little town of Skylin, TX manage to capture the hearts of viewers around the world? Well, not just through kidnapping, adultery, lies and epic covers of ‘90s songs. It was also the intriguing narrative, the complex characters and relatable nostalgia that brought viewers of all ages.

It was announced Tuesday, June 15th that Freeform would be bringing Cruel Summer back for a second season.

“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!” said in a statement by executive producers Jessica Biel (The Sinner, Limetown) and Michelle Purple (Stealth) of Iron Ocean Productions.

Series showrunner Tia Napolitano added, “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 season two is an absolute dream come true!”

Whether this means another season of the battle between Jeanette (Chiara Aurelia) and Kate (Olivia Holt) or it means a new story will unfold remains to be seen. Either way, viewers are eagerly anticipating what’s next after Tuesday’s thrilling season finale.

“Renewing Cruel Summer for a season 2 was an easy decision,” stated Freeform President Tara Duncan. “It’s the biggest series debut in Freeform’s history and the audience response has been overwhelmingly positive. Jessica [Biel], Michelle [Purple] and Tia [Napolitano] 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.”

Cruel Summer follows the lives of Jeanette and Kate along with their friends and family over the summers of 1993, 1994 and 1995. Kate is kidnapped and held against her will in the basement of her assailant’s house. Upon release, Jeanette is implicated in the situation and we see the effect the accusation has on the community of their small town. The show has caused major conversation with viewers debating who is telling the truth or what the truth even is. The show is a hit, the numbers don’t lie.

• Cruel Summer was the most-watched next-day season 1 title from a linear channel in its first 7 weeks to date.
• Cruel Summer is Freeform’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.

The series is currently up in its entirety on the Freeform app and Hulu. There’s plenty of time to join in on the fun before next season!

Don’t forget to read Farid’s review of the season one finale. He’s also been doing reaction and review videos over on The Geekiary’s YouTube channel.

Did you watch Cruel Summer? If so, who is your favorite character and which storyline do you like best? Would you like The Geekiary to cover more of Cruel Summer when Season 2 comes around?

Let us know in the comments below!

Author: StickyKeys

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