Cruel Intentions is an American television series developed by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, and produced by Original Film, Sony Pictures Television, and Amazon MGM Studios for Amazon Prime Video. Part of the franchise of the same name, it is based on the 1999 film by Roger Kumble, which in turn was a modern retelling of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses.[1]
| Cruel Intentions | |
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| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Cruel Intentions by Roger Kumble Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos |
| Developed by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by | Jeff Cardoni |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Production locations | Toronto, Ontario |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 39–49 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release | November 21, 2024 |
The series, set in a Washington D.C college among rich students, follows two manipulative step siblings who are ready to do anything to maintain their status. It features a cast led by Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, and Savannah Lee Smith.
Plan for a television adaptation of the film started in 1999 at Fox with a prequel series that was later retooled as the 2000 direct-to-video film Cruel Intentions 2 following its cancellation due to creative concerns. In 2015, NBC picked up a television pilot for a continuation of the film's storyline with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning but later passed on the project. Amazon announced a new project's development for Amazon Freevee in 2021, with Neal H. Moritz returning as an executive producer. It was given a series order in April 2023, and moved to Prime Video several months later. Filming took place in Toronto and began in June 2023.
Cruel Intentions premiered on Amazon Prime Video on November 21, 2024 to generally negative reviews.
Premise
editTwo step siblings at a Washington D.C. college have worked hard climbing the Greek life social ladder on campus. After a hazing incident goes wrong, however, the two will do anything it takes to maintain the status they have achieved and set their sights on seducing the Vice President's daughter.[2]
Cast and characters
editMain
edit- Sarah Catherine Hook as Caroline Merteuil, Lucien's step-sister. The character is based on Kathryn Merteuil, which in turn, was based on the Marquise de Merteuil.[3]
- Zac Burgess as Lucien Belmont, Caroline's step-brother. The character is based on Sebastian Valmont, which in turn, was based on the Vicomte de Valmont.[3]
- Savannah Lee Smith as Annie Grover, daughter of the Vice President. The character is based on Annette Hargrove, which in turn, was based on Madame de Tourvel.[3]
- Sara Silva as CeCe Carroway. The character is based on Cecile Caldwell, which in turn, was based on Cécile Volanges.[3]
- John Harlan Kim as Blaise Powell. The character is based on Blaine Tuttle. He is sleeping with Scott.
- Khobe Clarke as Scott Russell. The character is based on Greg McConnell. He is sleeping with Blaise.
- Brooke Lena Johnson as Beatrice Worth
- Sean Patrick Thomas as Professor Hank Chadwick. The character is based on Ronald Clifford, which in turn, was based on the Chevalier Danceny.
Recurring
edit- Claire Forlani as Claudia Merteuil, Caroline's mother. The character is based on Tiffany Merteuil.
- Jon Tenney as U.S. Congressman Russell
- Nikki Crawford as 2nd Lady, Ellen Grover, Annie’s mother. She is loosely based on Headmaster Hargrove.
- Isabella Tagliati as Ella
- Zeke Goodman as Brian Blandsman
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Alpha" | Adam Arkin | Teleplay by : Phoebe Fisher Story by : Phoebe Fisher & Sara Goodman | November 21, 2024 |
| 2 | "Beta" | Nick Copus | Teleplay by : Phoebe Fisher Story by : Phoebe Fisher & Sara Goodman | November 21, 2024 |
| 3 | "Gamma" | Nick Copus | Nicholas Strain | November 21, 2024 |
| 4 | "Delta" | Pippa Bianco | Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz | November 21, 2024 |
| 5 | "Epsilon" | Pippa Bianco | Des Moran | November 21, 2024 |
| 6 | "Zeta" | Nick Copus | Valerie Armstrong | November 21, 2024 |
| 7 | "Eta" | Iain B. MacDonald | Jess Burkle | November 21, 2024 |
| 8 | "Theta" | Iain B. MacDonald | Phoebe Fisher & Sara Goodman | November 21, 2024 |
Production
editDevelopment
editIn 2015, NBC picked up a television pilot for a continuation of the 1999 film Cruel Intentions with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning but later passed on the project. Following that, Sony Pictures Television announced that the project will either be shopped to other networks or completely redeveloped.[4][5] Amazon Studios announced that a new project was being developed in October 2021.[6]
It received a series order, and filming was set to begin in April 2023. The series is developed by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman who are set to executive produce alongside Neal H. Moritz.[7] Upon the main cast announcement, Pavun Shetty, Andrea Iervolino, Monica Bacardi, and Bruce Mellon were added as executive producers. Original Film, Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television, and Amazon MGM Studios are producing the series.[2] Eight episodes were ordered for Amazon Prime Video instead of Amazon Freevee.[8]
Casting
editIn June 2023, Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, Khobe Clarke, Brooke Lena Johnson, Sara Silva, John Harlan Kim, and Myra Molloy joined the starring cast with Sean Patrick Thomas as Professor Chadwick, having previously appeared in the original film as Ronald Clifford. The recurring cast includes Laura Benanti and Jon Tenney.[2] Additional recurring members announced in December 2023 were Claire Forlani, Nikki Crawford, Isabella Tagliati, and Zeke Goodman.[8]
Filming
editRelease
editThe series was released on November 21, 2024 on Amazon Prime Video.[11]
Reception
editThe review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 38% approval rating with an average rating of 5.5/10, based on 13 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Neither as fun or transgressive as the original Cruel Intentions, this television adaptation doesn't cut deep enough to make much of an impression."[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 38 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[13]
References
edit- ^ Kaufman, Anna. "The 'Cruel Intentions' reboot gets its steamy first trailer: Watch". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ a b c Otterson, Joe (June 1, 2023). "Cruel Intentions Series at Amazon Sets Main Cast (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "'Cruel Intentions' Series Merges 1999 Film's Salacious Step-Sibling Love Triangle with Modern-Day Greek Life: See the Trailer". People.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (31 October 2016). "'Cruel Intentions' Not Moving Forward at NBC, Sony TV Shopping Reboot".
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (31 October 2016). "'Cruel Intentions' Not Going Forward At NBC, To Be Shopped Elsewhere By Sony".
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (October 1, 2021). "Cruel Intentions Update in the Works at Amazon's IMDb TV". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 4, 2023). "Cruel Intentions TV Adaptation Ordered to Series (Finally!) at Amazon". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (December 4, 2023). "Cruel Intentions Series Order Confirmed At Prime Video; Full Cast Set". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Rajput, Priyanca (April 28, 2023). "Cruel Intentions TV adaptation sets summer Toronto shoot". KFTV.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ "What's Shooting". ACTRA Toronto. ACTRA. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Rahman, Abid (October 24, 2024). "Amazon's 'Cruel Intentions' Series Gets First Trailer, Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ "Cruel Intentions: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ "Cruel Intentions: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved November 21, 2024.