“Cruel Summer” ended its second season on Freeform in the United States on July 31, 2023. Both seasons are available to stream now on Hulu in the US. With the conclusion of Season 2, many fans of the series are wondering if the series will return for a third season. Read on for everything we know about Season 3!
Will There Be a Season 3 of “Cruel Summer?”
Official Renewal Status: Pending / Not Yet Renewed
Our Renewal Prediction: Leaning Toward Yes
Disney hasn’t officially confirmed whether “Cruel Summer” will be returning for Season 3.
Executive producers, Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple told E! in June that they were already “hoping for a Season 3.” After Purple noted that “if people show up for Season 2, Freeform will have no choice but to give us a Season 3,” Biel chimed in, “Come on, people, show up, please!”
The official decision by Disney will depend on viewership. The season two premiere of “Cruel Summer” scored 2.6 million total viewers across linear and digital platforms based on the first 7 days available, making it Freeform’s No. 1 telecast in 2 years — since the “Cruel Summer” season one finale (June 2021). The series also remains Freeform’s most watched series on Hulu.
If the show is greenlit for a third season, we will update this article right away.
“Cruel Summer” Season 3 Release Date
Since Disney hasn’t confirmed if “Cruel Summer” will return for Season 3, no official release date has been announced.
Due to the ongoing strikes by the Writer’s Guild of America and SAG Aftra actors, it is difficult to predict when the third season might hit our screens. If the series is renewed, it would be highly unlikely for Season 3 to premiere before Summer 2025.
We’ll update this article with any official news once it’s announced.
What Is “Cruel Summer” About?
“Cruel Summer” is an anthology series meaning each season features a new cast and story.
The official synopsis for “Cruel Summer” Season 1 reads:
“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.”
The official synopsis for “Cruel Summer” Season 2 reads:
“Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, season 2 follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella, and Megan’s best friend Luke, the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward.“
“Cruel Summer” Cast
Cruel Summer’s Season 1 cast includes Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Harley Quinn Smith, Blake Lee, and Michael Landes. The Season 2 cast includes Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, Sean Blakemore, and KaDee Strickland.
“Cruel Summer” Where To Watch
“Cruel Summer” Season 1 and Season 2 are available to stream for free with a subscription to Freeform, Hulu, ABC, or Fubo TV.