Cruel Intentions TV adaptation sets summer Toronto shoot

A television adaptation of Columbia Pictures' 1999 cult classic Cruel Intentions is to begin filming in Toronto, Canada.

On April 4, Amazon placed an eight-episode series order for a TV spin-off of the film for Freevee but could switch to Amazon Prime Video, according to TV Line.

The original film starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe as step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont, who place a bet on Sebastian’s ability to seduce Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the daughter of the headmaster at their elite New York City prep school.

Inspired by the 1999 film of the same name — which itself was inspired by the 18th century novel 'Dangerous Liaisons' — is said to follow two ruthless step siblings who will do anything to stay on top. In this case, of the Greek life hierarchy at an elite Washington, D.C. college. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Panhellenic system, they’ll do whatever’s necessary to preserve their power and reputations, even seduce the daughter of the Vice President of the United States.

The cast will be announced in due course, as filming will get underway on June 19th in Toronto.

The upcoming series iteration first went into development in October 2021, with Phoebe Fisher (Euphoria) tapped to write the pilot alongside Sara Goodman (of the original Gossip Girl). Neal H. Moritz — who produced the original Cruel Intentions film — is among the executive producers.