Yahoo Lifestyle Exclusive: ‘Cruel Intentions’ Is Back! And It’s Bolder, Darker, and More Dramatic Than Ever.
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If you’re someone who (1) starts rewatching Gossip Girl as soon as November rolls around (timing it perfectly with the Thanksgiving episodes, of course), and (2) texted, “We’re so back” to a buncha group chats after hearing the bombshell news about a brand-new book in The Clique series, then Prime Video's Cruel Intentions reboot should be next on your watch list. Centered around sorority president Caroline Merteuil and her stepbrother/fellow schemer Lucien Belmont, Cruel Intentions explores the twisted dynamics between its characters, who seem to revel in playing a never-ending, high-stakes game of love, lies, and revenge.
Cosmopolitan recently caught up with Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, and Savannah Lee Smith from the cast of the highly-anticipated show to talk about the challenge of playing morally complex characters, how they brought the 1999 film to life for a new generation, and what they hope viewers take from the experience.
What excites you the most about having Cruel Intentions out in the world soon?
Zac: I’m excited for Cruel Intentions to hit Prime Video because it’s going to give audiences a wild, voyeuristic peek into a world where there are no rules. Everything is up for grabs. This show takes the bold, seductive energy of the original Cruel Intentions and breathes new life into it, set in this darkly glamorous “timeless present.” We’re not only reimagining this iconic story but expanding on it, letting viewers fully dive into this elite universe where every action has consequences—and where ambition, desire, and betrayal play out in some really intriguing ways.
Savannah: I’m really excited for people to meet the characters. There are characters people will love to love and characters they’ll love to hate. Sometimes, with an ensemble cast, certain characters can get lost in the mix, but with our show, each character has their own individual relationships and movement throughout the story. [Showrunners] Sarah [Goodman] and Pheobe [Fisher] did a phenomenal job striking a perfect balance, and I’m excited for people to see that.
Sarah: Just that! That it’ll be OUT!
What do you relate to the most about your character? In what ways are you similar, and in what ways are you different?
Zac: What I love most about my character is his razor-sharp ambition and willingness to take risks, which I can definitely relate to as an actor. In this world, though, ambition is a double-edged sword, and my character pushes boundaries in ways I never would! He makes tough, morally gray choices that might make you cringe one minute and then cheer him on the next. Playing someone so complex has been a fantastic challenge—it’s almost like putting on a mask and fully committing to the game of power and survival in a world where reputation means everything.
Savannah: Annie and I are very similar in that we both are very observant and read people well. In this season, you’ll see Annie, an 18-year-old freshman, navigate her way through lies, manipulation, and games. What I like most about Annie is that though she’s young and trying to find where she fits in this environment, she is not stupid or timid. However, Annie and I are different in that, being the VP’s daughter, Annie has been in front of the public eye for as long as she can remember, which influences how she moves through this story and navigates her relationships. Needless to say, that’s an aspect of Annie and her upbringing I can only imagine.
Sarah: I’d say we’re both very ambitious. While we certainly have different methods of pursuing our goals, we both have an innate stubbornness about us when it comes to getting what we want. As for where we differ? Hopefully, I’m a little nicer.
What do you hope viewers take away from the show?
Zac: I hope viewers come away feeling like they’ve experienced a thrilling, indulgent escape into a world where everyone is flawed, nobody’s truly good, and that’s part of the fun. It’s a chance to lean into these darker, “naughty” characters who break all the rules yet somehow keep us rooting for them. More than anything, I hope it sparks conversation—about privilege, ambition, and the ways people play the game to stay on top, all set against the glamorous backdrop of Greek life. It’s a seductive, dangerous ride, and I can’t wait for audiences to get caught up in it!
Savannah: I hope the viewers have fun with this show. Escaping your own reality is one of the most beautiful things art can provide, and I hope our viewers will be able to immerse themselves in the scandalous, hot, drama-filled new chapter of Cruel Intentions.
Sarah: That it’s their FAVORITE new show!!!
Cruel Intentions premieres on November 21 exclusively on Prime Video.
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