Prime Video releases new trailer for its Cruel Intentions TV remake and first images for The Rig season 2, but I’m not thrilled by either of them

I have no intentions of rigging up these shows on Prime Video

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Amazonhas releases first looks at two very different TV Originals that’ll debut onPrime Videosoon – but I don’t think I’ll watch either of them.

“Why not?”, I hear you ask. Well, yesterday’s (October 24) trailer reveal for Prime Video’s TV remake of 1999 steamy teen drama movieCruel Intentionsdid little to convince me that it’ll be any better than its film namesake. Okay, its stylish and modern aesthetic are sure to appeal to anyone who hasn’t seen the original movie. With eight episodes to explore its darkly comedic, dramatic, and erotic narrative, plus its morally complex characters, in more detail, Amazon’sCruel Intentionsremake may even surprise me and become a big hit for one of the world’sbest streaming services.

Still, nothing jumps out to me fromCruel Intentions' first trailer, which you can watch below, that suggests it’ll do any of that. Heck, if Amazon’s 2021 TV adaptation of another cult classic 1990s young adult movie inI Know What You Did Last Summeris anything to go by – it was a massive flop, for those wondering – the chances are thatCruel Intentionswill, well, suffer a similarly cruel fate.

Anyway, if you’re intrigued by what’s on show in the above teaser, you’ll be pleased to hear thatCruel Intentionswill be released on November 21. Here’s the series' official story brief, too: “In this new adaptation,Cruel Intentionsfollows the elite students of Manchester College, a Washington, D.C.-adjacent university, where reputation means everything, fraternities and sororities are the gold standard, and two ruthless step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil (Sara Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess), will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy.

“After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Greek Life system, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if that means seducing Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court that is Manchester College.”

Drilling into the heart of The Rig’s overarching mystery

As for the second announcement, Amazon MGM Studios has released a bunch of new images for season 2 of its supernatural thriller seriesThe Rig. The show’s next installment, which comprises six episodes, will debut on the streaming platform in January 2025 – and, alongside its release window and first-look images reveals, Amazon also provided more information about this season’s plot.

“Helicopters have taken the surviving crew of the Kinloch Bravo to a new secret offshore facility called the Stac, nestled deep in the extraordinary and deadly landscapes of the Arctic Circle,” an Amazon press release reads. “Here, the trapped crew must deal with the emotional and physicalfalloutof the devastating tsunami that destroyed the Bravo, and contend with swirling conspiracies, corporate conflicts, and new threats from the dark depths of the world’s ocean.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

“The second series will continue exploring global themes – weaving together the past, present, and future of the planet while taking the viewer to spectacular environments and drawing on the frontiers of cutting edge ocean technology –including the controversial world of deep sea mining.”

Big #TheRig news incoming: As our first look shots drop today, I can now finally reveal the question basically everyone who has watched Series 1 always asks me… “Where are they going next?”And the answer is…October 25, 2024

Iain Glen, Emily Hampshire, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, and Mark Addy will reprise their roles fromThe Rig’s debut outing, while Alice Krige, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Ross Anderson, Phil McKee and Johannes Roaldsen Fürst join the cast for its sophomore season.

Amazon has a tendency to renew shows that perform extremely well on its primary streaming service, so I should be more excited forThe Rig’s return, right? You’d think that but, based on its 67% critics and 44% audienceRotten Tomatoesratings,The Rigisn’t considered to be one of thebest Prime Video showsaround. Season 1 failed to sink its hooks into me after I watched a couple of episodes, too, so I won’t be finishing its debut season or returning for round two whenThe Rigrises back to the surface in early 2025.

You might also like

As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

4 spy shows on Prime Video with over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes

Prime Video’s smart new X-Ray feature is finally a good reason to add AI to streaming

The iPhone 18 series could include a variable aperture, ‘significantly enhancing’ the camera