The New Scandalous Elite: A Full Breakdown Of The Cruel Intentions 2024 Cast And Their Twisted Roles

The *Cruel Intentions* universe was dramatically rebooted for a new generation in late 2024, bringing the iconic tale of manipulation, seduction, and power games to the cutthroat world of collegiate Greek life. This fresh, dark adaptation premiered on Prime Video on November 21, 2024, and introduced a new class of privileged, morally dubious characters to fans of the original 1999 film and the 1782 French novel *Les Liaisons Dangereuses*. The series, which sparked significant buzz for its modern take on the classic narrative, sadly met an early end, being officially canceled in March 2025, making the first season a singular, intense viewing experience. This deep dive into the *Cruel Intentions* 2024 cast reveals the young actors who stepped into the shoes of the Merteuil and Valmont archetypes, the new characters who became their unsuspecting targets, and the surprising return of an original film star. We break down the main players, their roles, and their previous work that brought them to this scandalous series.

The New Elite: Complete Cast and Character Biographies

The 2024 series, developed by showrunners Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, shifts the action from an elite New York prep school to a prestigious Washington, D.C. university, focusing on the Greek life hierarchy. The main antagonists, Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, are cousins and step-siblings, driven by a desire to maintain their power within the Greek system. The cast list below provides a comprehensive look at the key players in the Prime Video adaptation.

• Sarah Catherine Hook as Caroline Merteuil: The series’ new Kathryn Merteuil. Hook, born in Montgomery, Alabama, is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her leading role as Juliette Fairmont in the Netflix supernatural teen drama *First Kill* (2022) and for her appearance as Debbie Glatzel in the horror film *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* (2021).
• Zac Burgess as Lucien Belmont: The new Sebastian Valmont. Burgess is an emerging Australian actor who gained recognition for his work in the series *One Night* (2023) and for portraying Eli Bell in the Netflix miniseries *Boy Swallows Universe*. His character, Lucien, is Caroline's step-brother and co-conspirator in their manipulative games.
• Savannah Lee Smith as Annie Grover: Smith is an American actress who rose to prominence for her role as the ambitious and manipulative Monet de Haan in the HBO Max series *Gossip Girl* (2021-2023). In *Cruel Intentions*, Annie is one of the key figures in the sorority world, caught in the web of Caroline and Lucien.
• John Harlan Kim as Blaise Powell: Kim is an Australian actor known for roles in *The Last Ship* and *9-1-1*. In the 2024 reboot, he plays Blaise Powell, a character who is part of the inner circle navigating the scandalous world of the Greek houses.
• Khobe Clarke as Scott Russell: Clarke is an actor known for his roles in *Firefly Lane* and *Yellowjackets*. Scott Russell is portrayed as the son of a congressman and a new member navigating the intense social dynamics of the university.
• Sara Silva as Cece Carroway: Cece is a pivotal character in the series, deeply involved in the drama of the sorority life and the targets of Caroline's schemes.
• Sean Patrick Thomas as Professor Hank Chadwick: Thomas is the most notable link to the original film, where he played Ronald Clifford. In the 2024 series, he returns in a new role as Professor Hank Chadwick, a faculty member who becomes entangled with the students' drama.
• Brooke Lena Johnson (Role TBA)
• Laura Kariuki (Role TBA)
• Myra Molloy (Role TBA)

The Scandalous Premise: Greek Life, Power, and Seduction

The 2024 *Cruel Intentions* series takes the core themes of the 1999 film—sexual manipulation, social power, and high-stakes bets—and transplants them into the highly competitive, exclusive environment of collegiate Greek life. The plot centers on Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, who are not merely seeking personal amusement but are fighting a larger battle: to save the Greek system at their elite Washington, D.C. university.

The cousins' primary goal is to recruit a specific prospective member into Caroline’s sorority. This seemingly simple objective quickly spirals into a series of elaborate, cruel schemes involving backstabbings, illicit relationships, and the destruction of reputations, all under the guise of maintaining their social status and the power of their respective fraternity and sorority. The new setting provides a fresh layer of topical authority, exploring modern issues of privilege, social media scrutiny, and the toxic hierarchy of campus life, making the classic story feel contemporary and relevant.

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Why the Cruel Intentions 2024 Series Was Canceled So Quickly

The most shocking and current piece of news surrounding the *Cruel Intentions* 2024 adaptation is its swift cancellation. Despite a high-profile premiere on Prime Video on November 21, 2024, the series was ultimately not renewed for a second season, with the cancellation announcement coming in March 2025.

While the series generated significant pre-release buzz, it reportedly received generally mixed reviews from critics, which may have contributed to the decision. The showrunners, Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, had already detailed ambitious plans for a second season, intending to further explore the intertwined lives of Caroline, Lucien, and the supporting cast, including characters like Annie Grover and Cece Carroway. The cancellation highlights the challenging landscape of streaming television, where even adaptations of beloved, iconic properties like *Cruel Intentions* must deliver exceptional performance metrics to secure a renewal. For fans, the single season remains a dark, dramatic snapshot of the Merteuil-Belmont rivalry in a modern, collegiate setting.

The original 1999 film, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Reese Witherspoon, remains a cultural touchstone, and the 2024 TV series attempted to capture that same blend of forbidden relationships, dark drama, and scandalous secrets. The new cast, including rising stars like Sarah Catherine Hook and Zac Burgess, brought a fresh, young energy to the roles, but ultimately, the series failed to secure its future on the Prime Video platform, leaving its storyline unresolved for many viewers. The legacy of the original film, however, continues to inspire new interpretations, including the successful *Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical* which ran in London in early 2024.

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