One of the best mystery shows of recent years has returned for a second season

The series is a must-watch for fans of twisty mystery thrillers.

An anthology show from creator Bert V. Royal (best known for writing the Emma Stone comedy Easy A), each season is told over multiple timelines and focuses on relationships between teenagers that take a troubling turn.

The first season premiered in 2021 on US channel Freeform, before later getting a release in Ireland and the UK via Prime Video. It revolves around two teenage girls in the mid-1990s and the repercussions on everyone's lives after one disappears and the other seemingly takes her place.

Earning rave reviews for its twisty plot-lines, its ingenious time-shuffling structure and its terrific young cast, Cruel Summer season one garnered a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also a big hit, becoming Freeform's most watched series ever.

As such, Cruel Summer was renewed for a second season, which focuses on an entirely different story - the plot of which you can read right here:

"Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of Cruel Summer follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan (Sadie Stanley), Isabella (Lexi Underwood) and Megan’s best friend Luke (Griffin Gluck), the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward."

And while the second batch of episodes has not received the same high level of critical adoration as the first, many reviewers argue the show still makes for a bingeable watch.

You can read a sample of the positive write-ups for season two below:

Bloody Disgusting: "While S02 doesn’t quite match the same level of gonzo twists as S01, the drama between Megan and Isabella is always compelling and the narrative frequently ventures into unanticipated territory...For fans of mysteries and YA, [this] is your new obsession."

Culturess: "Cruel Summer keeps a similar theme of mystery and uncertainty from season one alive, even though the characters and circumstances are different."

Decider: "For these summer girls, 1999 might be cruel, but for the rest of us, the show is the perfect summer escape."

Paste Magazine: "Although it’s not quite on its predecessor’s level, Season 2 makes for propulsive, entertaining viewing, keeping its audience unsure about who to trust, and embracing a similar go-for-broke style of storytelling."

Slant Magazine: "Thrilling and cheesy in equal measure, the series breezes toward its finish as a particularly well-oiled drama."

Cruel Summer's two seasons are available to stream on Prime Video in Ireland and the UK right now. You can check out the trailer for its second season right here: