If you haven’t watched Cruel Summer on Freeform, you’re missing out. After screening the pilot episode at SXSW 2021, we were hooked!
The thriller takes place in the fictional town of Skylin, Texas, and each episode focuses on the same day over the course of three years: 1993, 1994 and 1995.
And get this! The series was actually filmed in Texas – Dallas to be exact. You know we had to head to the big D to find all the filming locations. Some of these locations have ironically been around since the 90s!
Here are the Cruel Summer Filming Locations
Turner Family Residence | 13735 Sprucewood Circle (Dallas)
Jeanette’s house is a major focal point in the series. Especially when she barely leaves the house in the 1995 years of the series. The homey ranch-style house they used in the series can be found in a suburb of Dallas. Please remember this is a residential house so be respectful to both the owners and the neighborhood.
Music City Mall | 2401 S Stemmons Fwy (Lewisville)
Lewisville’s Music City Mall (formerly Vista Ridge Mall) is one of the first scenes in Cruel Summer. The mall is where we first see Jeanette Turner and Kate Wallis interact and things really get set into play. Starting with the piece of evidence Kate later offers the police, Jeanette’s “You Go Girl” necklace. The mall is still open and they even have a Claire’s where you can most likely find your own “You Go Girl” necklace!
Interskate Rollerrink | 1408 South Business Highway 121 (Lewisville)
Who knew roller rinks like this still existed! The Cruel Summer crew really lucked out with this location because it’s somehow updated yet stuck in time. They use this skating rink for Jeanette’s birthday in 1994, or, what I like to call the happy year. So grab your skates and hope that skating is like riding a bike.
Assistant Principle Martin Harris’s House – 6306 Deloache Ave (Dallas)
Martin Harris’s house is the house we see the most in the series. It’s almost its own character. We see this house over all three summers and the vibe goes from creepy to even creepier. We first see it when Jeanette and her friends decide to “break-in,” even though they have a key. Jeanette keeps going back to his house even after everything happens. But the real question is, did Jeanette see Kate that very first time? We all have to wait to find out.
Traders Village Grand Prairie | 2602 Mayfield Road (Grand Prairie)
This fair-like amusement park was seen in episode 7 of the series appropriately titled “As The Carny Gods Intended.” The episode offers a major shift in the series. We learn that Kate knew Martin Harris better than we thought. The amusement park runs year-round and hosts a lot of fun events. You can even go into the funhouse Jeanette chased Kate through.
Angela’s Bar | 6521 Abrams Road (Dallas)
The scenes set in Angela’s bar are actually filmed on location at one of the oldest bars in Dallas. The bar is ironically called One Nostalgia Tavern. The shows set designers didn’t have to do much work here considering the walls are already covered in 80s and 90s memorabilia.
AllGood Cafe | 2934 Main Street (Dallas)
AllGood Cafe, located on Main Street in Deep Ellum, is the set for a crucial moment in the series. We finally see Jeanette and her mom sit down to have a heart to heart. Well, sort of. This scene finally lets us know where her mom has been and Jeanette lets us know exactly how she feels about it. The cafe is actually a Dallas staple that is way cozier that the hostile conversation between mother and daughter made it seem.
The series also drops a lot of subtle Texas-related things like Whataburger, DQ, Troy Aikman and more!
Fun fact:
In episode five, Mallory mentions a few times that she wants to watch Clerks. Did you know that Mallory is played by Harley Quinn Smith, daughter of actor/director Kevin Smith? The reference makes perfect sense as Clerks was released in 1994!
Season one of Cruel Summer has wrapped and aired. Season two is confirmed to be released in 2023. Stay tuned for details and hopefully more Cruel Summer filming locations.
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