Freeform, a Disney-owned basic-cable network, has announced the cancellation of the anthology series Cruel Summer after its two-season run. Additionally, the spinoff Good Trouble, concluding its fifth season, will wrap up with the second half of its upcoming fifth season. Both shows were among Freeform’s last remaining scripted originals, following the cancellation of Praise Petey in November.
Executives, led by Simran Sethi, Freeform’s executive vp of programming and content strategy, expressed the desire to continue both shows. However, the decision to end them was driven by ratings that did not justify the associated costs, especially amid Disney’s efforts to reduce expenditures by $2 billion. Most viewers accessing the network’s content on Hulu further influenced this decision.
While the network typically airs six to eight originals annually, the future of scripted originals on Freeform remains uncertain after the conclusions of Grown-ish and Good Trouble. The network had been in a holding pattern since Sethi’s return, who also oversees programming for ABC. The recent removal of Freeform from Spectrum channel lineups as part of Disney’s deal with Charter Communications has added complexity to the network’s situation.
Good Trouble, with ties dating back to The Fosters in 2013, played a significant role in establishing Freeform as a scripted originals destination. The show’s showrunner, Joanna Johnson, is reportedly in talks with Disney for other projects. Both The Fosters and Good Trouble earned praise for their LGBTQ inclusive storylines.
Cruel Summer gained attention in its first season but faced challenges in its second as ratings declined. Freeform’s entry into nonfiction in 2022 includes upcoming shows like Chrissy & Dave Dine Out, Royal Rules of Ohio, and Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order.
The cancellations reflect broader industry trends as media companies adjust strategies following the burst of the Peak TV bubble. Networks like TNT and TBS have shifted away from scripted originals towards more cost-effective reality shows, syndicated repeats, and sports programming.