Remakes and reboots continue to dominate this year and 25 years later, we have a new Cruel Intentions TV series, which honors and reimagines the hit original movie from 1999. The series is out now on Prime Video and before its release, we chatted with actresses Sara Silva, Savannah Lee Smith, Brooke Lena Johnson, actors John Harlan Kim, Khobe Clarke, Zac Burgess, and showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher to learn more about their experiences on set working on such an iconic story.

Based on the 1999 film of the same name from Roger Kumble, which was the modern retelling of the 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Cruel Intentions follows step siblings Caroline and Lucien who set to preserve their power and reputation after a hazing incident at their elite college by seducing the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. The original cult classic starred Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair and Joshua Jackson and is now remade with a modern twist including some of the biggest up and coming stars. 

Khobe Clarke: “We are very lucky that all of us got along as well as we did.”

Adaptations of classics are always a big undertaking, but co-showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher said they wanted to honor the original film by taking what they loved about it and turning it into a whole new series with new characters that can stand on their own. Phoebe even teased some new ships and passionate scenes, and you as viewers can decide your favorites!

Sara Goodman: “When you’re doing any kind of adaptation, and especially one that is so beloved, rather than trying to recreate something, I think you just want to honor the tone and intention and what we as people and fans love about it.”

Phoebe Fisher: “We love longing and we love yearning and I know who I’m shipping.”

From the interviews, it was obvious how close the cast is and Sara said they did a lot off set to bond, from the initial chemistry tests to barbecues, shopping, and exploring a new city in Toronto where the show was filmed.

Sara Silva: “We were having fun. We say it’s like summer camp, we were young kids in a new city just exploring.”

Many of the characters have vulnerable moments throughout the show, and Brooke said everyone involved in the process, from the cast to producers were incredibly supportive and sure of the vision which made it easier to trust themselves and their acting. 

Brooke Lena Johnson: “Performing some of those vulnerable scenes, I learned a lot of skills from them.”

John Harlan Kim: “I would rely extensively on the other actors and they were so giving and generous that I was lucky to tap into some pretty deep moments.”

While many of these actors have some other incredible roles to their names, from Gossip Girl for Savannah Lee Smith, to Khobe Clarke in Firefly Lane and Yellowjackets, each of them learned something new from their characters in Cruel Intentions. Savannah related to her character Annie so well from her own college experiences, and Zac Burgess revealed this was his first project with an on-screen kiss. 

Savannah Lee Smith: “A first for me was just playing a character like Annie.”

Zac Burgess: “John and I had a wonderful little moment together that was a little improvised.”

Thank you, Sara, Savannah, Brooke, John, Khobe, Zac, Sara, and Phoebe, for chatting with Young Entertainment! Make sure to follow them on their Instagram’s @sarasaliva, @ssavannahsmithh, @thebrookelenajohnson, @johnharlankim, @khobeclarke, and @_zacburgess_. Watch the rest of the interviews where we ask them more about their favorite quotes of their character’s. While you’re there, be sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment. 

Consider this:

• Adaptations are huge this year, from Mean Girls to Wicked and the best way to remake a classic is to honor everything you loved about the original but reimagine it with a modern twist so viewers can differentiate them. 
• It can be scary as an actor having to be vulnerable on set. As a fellow actor or someone working on a set, do your part in creating a safe space for people to feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable. Have open and honest conversations and above all, listen!