Cruel Intentions (pilot)

A television pilot titled *Cruel Intentions* was produced by Original Film and Sony Pictures Television for NBC, but it never aired. It belongs to the same franchise as the 1999 film directed by Roger Kumble, which itself was adapted from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's 1782 novel *Les Liaisons dangereuses*. The pilot was intended to premiere in 2016, but NBC decided against ordering it to series.

Set seventeen years after the film, the story follows Bash Casey, the son of Sebastian Valmont and Annette Hargrove. After discovering his late father’s journal, Bash gets pulled into a world of deceit, sex, and power. The series would have also featured Kathryn Merteuil, Bash’s step-aunt, who attempts to seize control of Valmont International.

Sarah Michelle Gellar returned as Kathryn Merteuil, now sober, married to a wealthy man, and working for a youth rehabilitation program after leaving her scandalous past behind. Her life is upended when her step-nephew Bash arrives. Taylor John Smith played Bash Casey, unaware of his father’s wild history. Peter Gallagher portrayed Edward Valmont, Sebastian’s billionaire father, who quickly welcomes Bash into wealth and business after confirming his paternity—replacing David McIlwraith from *Cruel Intentions 2*. Coby Bell played Pascall Barrett, Kathryn’s husband and a lawyer who plots with her to manipulate Bash. Samantha Logan played Cassidy Barrett, Pascall’s daughter and Kathryn’s step-daughter. Sophina Brown played Naomi Donovan, Pascall’s ex-wife and Cassidy’s mother, an aspiring congresswoman. Nathalie Kelley played Carmen Castillo, Kathryn’s chief of staff and lover. Kate Levering played Annette Hargrove-Casey, Bash’s mother, who shares a history with Kathryn—replacing Reese Witherspoon from the film. Duane Henry played Sullivan, Edward’s bodyguard. Anne Winters played Valerie York, Cassidy’s best friend. Taylor Zakhar Perez played Mateo De La Vega, a friend of Cassidy.

The pilot was co-written by Roger Kumble, who also directed, along with Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross (creators of *Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical*). Kumble and Neal H. Moritz, producer of the original film and its sequels, served as executive producers. In February 2016, producers were in talks with Gellar to reprise her role, and that month Taylor John Smith and Samantha Logan were cast. Gellar eventually reached a deal to join.