Shelby Surdam Talks New Freeform Show ‘Cruel Summer’

Shelby Surdam who stars in the Freeform psychological thriller “Cruel Summer.” The show premiered on April 20, 2021, audiences with take a trip back in time to the early ‘90’s where the internet and chat rooms are booming and even without social media, rumors and bullying are just as prevalent. Shelby stars as Tenielle, one of three “queen bees” in school whose lives are upended when one of them, Kate, (played by Olivia Holt) goes missing, causing a series of events which demonstrates that just when you think you know the truth, something can happen that questions everything you know and believe. Over three separate summers (1993, 1994, and 1995) Cruel Summer will twist and turn and show multiple points of view, resulting in viewers shifting their loyalties as the series progresses.

“Cruel Summer” comes from producers Jessica Biel and producing team Bill and Michelle Purple. We had the opportunity to talk to Surdam about her new show ‘Cruel Summer’ on Freeform,

Surdam was born in Iowa to a military family and lived in several different cities growing up before her family settled near Austin, Texas. After several years in theater, Shelby decided to break into film and television with her first role being an an extra in the film “Believe Me” with “Glee” alum Max Adler. Shelby went on to book the Facebook Watch series “SKAM Austin” in which she played Kelsey, a high school student navigating first relationships, an eating disorder and acceptance. As the series aired in segments throughout the day in an attempt to make the viewer feel they were watching in real time, the show was one of its kind and was based on the acclaimed Norwegian series of the same name.

During quarantine, Shelby took up loom knitting and has become skilled at making hats. She also loves photography and documented her time in production on a polaroid camera. When not on set, Shelby enjoys spending time with her Schnauzer rescue dog named Jim whom she rescued from a hoarding situation and is named after Jim Halpert from “The Office.”

Photo Courtesy of Hannah Campbell