His time to shine. sadie stanley And lexi underwood opened about making a statement with them cruel Summer debut – and offered a glimpse into the interactions between him and the Season 1 cast.

“It was incredible to be able to have a team from Season 1 that definitely understood that formula and its structure. Because it’s a little bit difficult to tell a story playing three different versions of your character or playing those three different timelines,” Underwood, 19, who plays Isabella LaRue, exclusively told us weekly about the support he received.

The Maryland native said she was thrilled to get in touch with the actors from the show’s first season, adding, “Being able to have them guide us — it kind of took the pressure off of feeling like We have to do better. Like [we had to] Living up to some top or some standard. when we talk with [the season 1 cast]They are all so unbelievably great and have given us so much support and love.

Stanley, 21, praised for his part Chiara Aurelia And Olivia Holt to pass on their knowledge after their time cruel Summer,

“Both Chiara and Olivia have been so supportive and so sweet and we’ve both reached out,” said Singer, who plays Megan Landry. We, “I had met Chiara many times [and] She is very sweet. Olivia came on set one day when we were filming in Vancouver and she’s amazing.

The hit series, which premiered in April 2021, introduced a unique form of storytelling by capturing moments across three timelines. During the first season, viewers followed Kate Wallis (Holt), who was kidnapped and later rescued, and Jeanette Turner (Aurelia), who was accused of knowing the whereabouts of a missing girl. Was.

After the show became a fan favorite, Freeform confirmed that season 2 would focus on a new set of characters. At the center of the new season is a tumultuous friendship between Megan and Isabella – which untimely leads to a murder in their small town.

According to Stanley, the cast was absolutely in the dark about the show’s biggest secrets.

“We were learning things as we were getting the script and we didn’t know what role our character played in Luke’s death. [Griffin Gluck], Then everything that lead up to that – we didn’t know it all,” she recalled. “It was just about getting to know our characters and who they are and why they are the way they are.”

Season 2 has already posed a lot of questions about the main characters – and presented potential suspects. However, Underwood found it important not to make judgment calls about Isabella before the events unfolded on screen.

“It is our job as actors to be the protectors of our character. With Isabella especially, he is a very complicated person. It was a little tricky not necessarily knowing her fate or where she was going to end up little fires everywhere Alum detailed. “You have to know your character like the back of your hand. So having that foundation there – it helps you adjust to whatever is being thrown at you.

As the series uncovers the details of Megan and Isabella’s final rift, Stanley hinted that fans can expect to have more questions than answers.

“Each episode is set up in a way, so you’re left with a new piece of information to ponder in between,” goldberg Noted alum. “I would just say don’t believe any of the characters. It’s not as simple as who did it. It’s about how we got to this point and what led to it. Not everyone is what they seem Are.

Meanwhile, how Underwood teased cruel Summer will surprise viewers with the direction it takes throughout the season.

“I think another big mystery — like the mystery of Luke’s death — is that a lot of those characters are deeper. [There’s a] mask that they’re putting on to hide what they’re doing internally in all three different timelines,” she said. “So you definitely have to keep your eye open and understand that everyone Trying to take control of his own destiny and with that things go awry and gets a little selfish.”

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cruel Summer Freeform airs Mondays at 10 p.m.