KaDee Strickland Spills Juicy Secrets: Shocking Revelations About 'Cruel Summer' Season 2 Endings!

The characters of Cruel Summer season 2 have successfully navigated Y2K, but the anthology series set in 1999 and 2000 is drawing to a close. In an exclusive interview with We, star KaDee Strickland shared what viewers can expect from the remaining episodes.

"When I read the script for the finale, I was thrilled to discover that we finally get some answers. It's refreshing that they didn't just film one ending," Strickland revealed in the interview conducted shortly before the actors went on strike with SAG. "I purposely haven't watched the final episode yet. I want to experience it in real-time alongside the audience. I believe it's much more enjoyable to savor each episode and be pleasantly surprised, especially considering the nature of the show. This is how I approached it with Private Practice, and it was a fantastic experience."

Strickland disclosed that scenes have been cut from the season and confirmed that the cast filmed episodes in a non-chronological order, despite the show's setting in different seasons.

Season 2 of Cruel Summer delves into the lives of three distinct timelines, unraveling the intricate connections between three teenagers - Megan Landry (Sadie Stanley), Isabella, an exchange student (Lexi Underwood), and Luke Chambers (Griffin Gluck). (Strickland takes on the role of Debbie, Megan's mother.) Tragically, Luke, who shares romantic relationships with both Megan and Isabella, is discovered lifeless in the lake on New Year's Eve 2000.

"Relationships during that stage, especially those between individuals of the same gender, often carry significant weight. They possess a deep level of emotional connection and intimacy. With the addition of Isabella's past friendship, it adds an intriguing element," Strickland explained. "The exploration of this character and the thought-provoking question of whether she has a tendency to form intense friendships that border on obsession, or if this is simply a typical teenage relationship where everything feels significant and valuable, is fascinating. My character's intention was to broaden Megan's horizons through Isabella. Initially, they clash and Megan is resistant. But it's beautiful to see how this new person entering her life helps her flourish and exposes her to new experiences."

Debbie starts dating Luke's father, Steve (played by Paul Adelstein). This romantic relationship brings Strickland and Adelstein back together as love interests, after portraying Charlotte and Cooper on Shonda Rhimes' Private Practice for six seasons. Gluck also joined the show in season 5 as Cooper's child.

"It's interesting. We would sometimes ask ourselves, 'Are we too similar to Charlotte and Cooper right now?' But we realized we weren't. It's been six years of playing those characters," explained Strickland. "Even though there's been a 10-year break, Paul and I have such a natural chemistry and ease that is truly wonderful and rare."

Sean Blakemore, Braeden De La Garza, Sadie Stanley, Griffin Gluck, Kadee Strickland, Paul Adelstein, Lisa Yamada, and Lexi Underwood. Freeform/Frank Ockenfels

According to Strickland, the two costars would spend time in Isabella's camper, sharing stories and reminiscing about their time in Hollywood. Strickland expressed that seeing Gluck mature and be able to enjoy drinks with his former onscreen parents has been a strange, funny, and wonderful experience. She emphasized that she has always been impressed by Gluck's talent, which has only flourished as he has grown older. Strickland also mentioned the mutual respect she and Adelstein have developed from their time working together in Shondaland.

She expressed, "He consistently displayed acts of generosity, protectiveness, and affection. And when we had disagreements, we were able to freely express ourselves. It has been fascinating to replicate this dynamic on Cruel Summer because Deb and Steve have completely contrasting energies as individuals. It was truly thrilling for me when I learned that Paul was taking on the role. I saw it as an incredible challenge to carefully construct our interactions and transform the overall dynamic."

Catch Cruel Summer on Freeform every Monday at 10 p.m. ET.