TV series
The truth is how you see it.
Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.
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Cruel Summer premiered April 20, 2021. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.
Cast, crew and production details
Olivia HoltKate Wallis
Chiara AureliaJeanette Turner
Froy GutierrezJamie Henson
Harley Quinn SmithMallory Higgins
Brooklyn SudanoAngela Prescott
Blake LeeMartin Harris
Michael LandesGreg Turner
FreeformUnited States
Entertainment OneCanada
Iron OceanUnited States
Entertainment One TelevisionCanadaWatch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
Taking place over 3 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.
Directed by Max WinklerWritten by Bert V. RoyalGuest stars Barrett Carnahan, Nathaniel Ashton, Carson Cunningham
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 2
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.
Directed by Bill PurpleWritten by Bert V. RoyalGuest stars Barrett Carnahan, Jason Allen Wear
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 3
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.
Directed by Kellie CyrusWritten by Bert V. RoyalGuest stars Barrett Carnahan
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 4
Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.
Directed by Laura Nisbet PetersWritten by Imogen BinnieGuest stars Barrett Carnahan
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 5
Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to lose herself.
Directed by Daniel WillisWritten by Tia NapolitanoGuest stars Barrett Carnahan, Vhelma Richardson
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 6
A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.
Directed by Kellie CyrusWritten by Brian OtañoGuest stars Barrett Carnahan, Vhelma Richardson
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 7
Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has a birthday surprise.
Directed by Alexis OstranderWritten by Savannah WardGuest stars Barrett Carnahan, Jason Allen Wear
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 8
On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.
Directed by Daniel WillisWritten by Addison McQuiggGuest stars Jason Allen Wear
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 9
Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.
Directed by Alexis OstranderWritten by Matt Antonelli
Where to watch Cruel Summer
Episode 10
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.
Directed by Bill PurpleWritten by Bert V. Royal
Where to watch Cruel SummerEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
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