Prime Video’s remake ofCruel Intentionsadded modern flare to the ’90s classic, but it was canceled after season 1. Created by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman (based on the 1999 film), ther series concerns a pair of wealthy step-siblings who attend a prestigious private college in Washington DC. Determined to preserve their important social status at school, the duo make a bet with one another to seduce the Vice President’s daughter to help save the school’s fraternities and sororities. Dripping with social commentary and steamy romance,Cruel Intentionstried to surpass the original cult hit.
When the long-awaited TV remake finally arrived in November 2024,Cruel Intentionswas met with largely negative reviews from critics, who determined that it lacked the same bite as the original. One of the inevitable pitfalls of remakes is the danger of comparison, and in many viewers' eyes, it didn’t live up. However, the storytellingcleverly tweaked the original conceptto add a few more interesting wrinkles, and the sexually-charged campus romp could have continued in another season. However, Prime Video canceledCruel Intentionsafter one season.
Cruel Intentions Season 2 Is Canceled
Prime Video Ends Cruel Intentions After One Season
The move wasn’t particularly surprising, and the steamy college story didn’t quite set the streaming world on fire when it debuted in late 2024.
Though it was clear from the finale of season 1 that plans were in place to continue the remake’s story,Prime Video canceledCruel Intentionsin March 2025. The move wasn’t particularly surprising, and the steamy college story didn’t quite set the streaming world on fire when it debuted in late 2024. It took ages for the remake to finally materialize, and when it did, it was largely met with apathy and poor reviews. However, bad reviews alone are never enough to sink a TV series.
While no official reason for the cancelation has been given (nor likely ever will be),the biggest reason is almost always poor viewership. The debut season ofCruel Intentionsnever entered the Neilsen Top 10 chart, and that is usually a bad sign for a high-profile streaming series. Cutting through the noise in the streaming era is nearly impossible, andCruel Intentionsdidn’t do enough to get noticed in a packed field.
Cruel Intentions Season 2 Cast Details
Who Could Have Returned To Campus In Season 2?
IfCruel Intentionshad scored a season 2 renewal, it would likely have needed the bulk ofthe main castto return in order to continue the show’s most compelling storylines. Most importantly,it was expected that Sarah Catherine Hook would reprise her role as the arch-manipulator Caroline, and she’d be joined by her step-brother, Lucien (played by Zac Burgess). The object of their twisted game in season 1 was the US Vice President’s daughter, Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), and the naive newcomer was also needed for the sophomore outing.
Major supporting characters like Sara Silva’s CeCe were also needed, especially after she was betrayed by her so-called friend, Caroline. John Harlan Kim’s Blaise Powell and Khobe Clarke’s Scott Russell also had a lot of unfinished business in the cut-throat world of Greek life, while Beatrice’s (Brooke Lena Johnson) motivation to tear it all down is even more justified after season 1’s ending. The new season would also likely have needed to add a few new characters.
Cruel Intentions Season 2 Story Details
The Power Struggle Continues
The ending of theCruel IntentionsTV seriesdiverged greatly from the original movie, and that opened the door for things to continue in season 2. Caroline’s plans to manipulate Lucien blew up in her face when her stepbrother revealed a sex tape he made with her mother. This not only took away her power over him, but also showed thathe was willing to stop at nothing to get what he wanted, proving himself to be just as ruthless as she was. Caroline’s other machinations are also in danger, especially after Annie learned she was being manipulated.
Caroline’s Full Plan & Bet In Cruel Intentions TV Show Explained
Caroline’s plan in Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions TV show is very different from Kathryn’s plan in the movie, as well as her bet with Lucien.
With CeCe seemingly joining forces with Beatrice’s plan to tear down Greek life,Caroline needed to rally her forces before Annie flips as well. Elsewhere on campus, Blaise’s downfall at the frat means he’d be on the outside looking in, while Scott (the man he was manipulating) suddenly had all the power. Though there will undoubtedly be challenges to his fraternity presidency, Scott learned from season 1’s mistakes. Unfortunately,Cruel Intentionsseason 2’s compelling story possibilities will be lost forever.
Cruel Intentions
Cast
Two ambitious step-siblings at a prestigious Washington, D.C. college will stop at nothing to keep their social standing. After a hazing scandal threatens their control, they resort to extreme tactics, including seducing the vice president’s daughter, to safeguard their reputation and influence.
