I am sure you have experienced this too; as you tried typing out ‘Cruel Summer‘, google jumped with the suggestion of adding Taylor Swift to the search, but we are not here to talk about Taylor today; we are talking about the just as excellent this American drama series! Crue Summer is a series that revolves around two girls, Kate Wallis, and Jeanette Turner, and how one of them suddenly vanishes while the other takes her place, living life as someone else.
Initially set to be titled ‘Last Summer’, the series Cruel Summer has a rather complicated storyline, with three summers being shown in each episode running side by side, as the secrets from that time are revealed as the story goes on. The scene for the things plying out is set in the 1900s, a different time and ambiance. The actors have done a splendid job working in the show, and so has the production and filming crew.
Be it trying to depict the three years simultaneously or highlighting the differences between them through their work, the crew did an amazing job at it. The twists and truths revealed only make it better and a definite work of art. The series did so well that the second season came just right after the first one came to an end, showing just how much Cruel Summer was loved by its fans. The complete storyline revolving around teenagers makes things more interesting because adult life and mistakes are not as regarded as times of teenagers hood are.
The show first premiered in the month of April of 2021, with actors like Chiara Aurelia, Olivia Holt, Froy Gutierrez, and Harley Quinn Smith playing the roles of the main characters of Jeanette, Kate, Jamie, and Mallory. Jeanette is the most hated girl in the country. Kate’s return brings up the story of Jeanette hiding the truth of her kidnapping. But are things the way they seem to be? Who is the liar here, and who is innocent? Only time can tell.
This series caught many hearts, and so did its filming locations which you can visit after continuing to read further!
Filming locations of Cruel Summer
The filming for Cruel Summer started in November 2019 and continued till the start of 2020, with some scenes then being shot in the later months of 2020 because of the pandemic, and officially premiered on the 21st of August 2021. The production company for the series, Season 1, is Iron Ocean Production. The complete shooting of the series was done in Texas, United States, and some parts were shot in Canada.
1. Music City Mall, Lewisville, Dallas, Texas, United States (US)
The very starting and some more important scenes of the series were shot at the Music City Mall, where Jeanette bumps into Kate, the popular girl who was with her boyfriend Jamie at that time. This is also the mall where Kate brings the police to point out the ‘U got this Girl’ necklace to them, saying how Jeanette owned one and was thus the one who has seen her being taken away. The mall carries a lot of significance in the Cruel Summer series and is a location you can visit if you go to Dallas!
2. 6306 Deloache Ave, Dallas, Texas, United States (US)
The main thing the crew for the show looked for was giving a 90s ambiance to the show because it was based during the retro era, and what better way to do that than pick out old houses spread out in Dallas for the rescue! This particular house in the picture was used for filming scenes of the house of Skyline High’s Vice Principal, Martin Harris. The importance the house carries is known by all the fans and audience of Cruel Summer; this is the house of the culprit of the show and the residence of the man who had abducted Katie.
3. Interskate Roller Rink, Lewisville, Dallas, Texas, United States (US)
Finding a good skating rink is hard, especially one that could be mistaken for a skating tink from the famous 90s. Cruel Summer made a great catch here with Interstate Roller Rink. This has the perfect character of itself to be used as a filming location for a show! In Cruel Summer, this rink starred as the place where Jeanette had her birthday party and some fabulously cute moments.
How did the audience like Cruel Summer?
The audience, as stated before, absolutely loved the show, the critics more than the audience too, appreciating the show for its complicated storyline, which they could show so beautifully on screen. There is no doubt that the series works through a lot of different and severe problems and issues in the series, but to also make it interesting so much so that the audience wouldn’t mind the topics is indeed an achievement.
The show was successful in maintaining the 1990s aura and also the thrilling plotline and its twisted ending that left many people confused; one thing is sure, the series made a name for itself during the time of upsurge in a lot of thriller and suspense that was continually maintained. The series is known to have received a 93% rating from critics and an 86% rating from its viewers, who are now seen to be enjoying a second season of the series!
You should give both seasons a watch, too, and join in on the fun!
Also read: Knock Knock Filming Locations: Where Is The Thriller Movie Filmed?
