H.A.C.S: Season 2 of Cruel Summer is Finally Here

ATLANTA (June 4, 2023) -- The newest television series for the summer months is officially here, and it's telling its viewers to "Have A Cruel Summer" (H.A.C.S).

Set in the early 2000s and starring an all-new cast, season 2 of "Cruel Summer" centers around a teenage trio as they navigate a love triangle and tackle a potentially life-changing mystery.

The last time we were tuning in for a new episode of this show was nearly 2 years ago, and unlike the first season, the next chapter takes place a little closer to the present -- an observation, I assume will repeat itself as each future season unfolds.

The new cast includes Sadie Stanley as Megan Landry, Griffin Gluck as Luke Chambers, and Lexi Underwood as Isabella LaRue.

Although this Y2k summer houses a completely separate storyline from the previous season, the show once again alternates between 3 timelines: July 1999, December 1999, and July 2000; The catch is none of these three young actors were even alive during these time periods but still find a way to successfully embody the era.

Lexi Underwood attends advanced screening of Cruel Summer's new season in Atlanta, Ga. | ᴄʀᴇᴅɪᴛ: ꜱʏᴅɴᴇʏ ᴅᴀᴠɪꜱ

Lexi Underwood, known as Isabella in the series, describes her character as "incredibly confident, charming, and alluring". Isabella is a french exchange student

invited to experience a year in America with star-pupil Megan Landry's (Sadie Stanley) family. The three respective timelines cycle through the journey of thew two's friendship,

Underwood poses with family and friends at premiere of Cruel Summer.

including a love triangle between the pair and Luke Chambers (Griffin Gluck).

Outside of her natural appeal, Underwood's character seems to be an enigma fighting to keep herself from crumbling under the pressure of the secrets she may be hiding.

On Saturday, the 19-year-old attended an advanced screening of the season's debut episode in Atlanta, Ga. Underwood's family and friends supported nearby as she lovingly took turns engaging with attendees and answering some brief questions afterwards.

"Plot Twist!" a fan called out as a theater attendant restored the lights and credits rolled across screen.

In true CS fashion, the 2-hour episode closes on an extreme cliff hanger that will leave viewers sad they have to wait another seven days for the story to unravel.

Cruel Summer airs on Freeform on June 5th, at 9/8 CT, and on Hulu and Hulu Live TV the following day.