Where Are They Now: The “Cruel Intentions” Edition

When Cruel Intentions premiered in 1999, nobody guessed that the movie would grow to become a cult classic. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair, the film followed the exploits of diabolical step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastien Valmont (Ryan Phillipe), who attempted to corrupt a young virgin named Annette (Reese Witherspoon). Despite its risqué themes, however, Cruel Intentions received mixed reviews from critics and less-than-impressive box office numbers, which implied that the movie would fade into oblivion. Nevertheless, fans fell in love with the film’s dirty content matter, twisted plot and hot young cast—so in love, in fact, that they were able to convince the film’s creators to put out two (albeit lame) sequels.

Now, NBC is in the process of developing a new television show that picks up fifteen years after the movie, and Sarah Michelle Gellar has announced that she has signed-on to reprise her role as Kathryn. The official description reads as follows:

Fifteen years after the events of the film, Kathryn Merteuil is dividing her attention between vying for control of Valmont International and corrupting the soul of Bash Casey (Taylor John Smith), the son of the late Sebastien Valmont and Annette. Upon discovering his father’s legacy in a hidden journal, Bash is introduced to a world of sex, money, corruption and power beyond imagination.

Already, social media has exploded with fan excitement over this planned sequel series and the return of one of the film’s iconic characters. So, what have some of our favorite cast members from Cruel Intentions been up to since the release of the movie a decade and a half ago? Keep reading to find out!

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Kathryn Merteuil)

By the time that Sarah Michelle Gellar signed on to play Kathryn Merteuil, she was already earned quite a cult following thanks to her lead role as Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After that show ended in 2003, Gellar starred in several films, including The Grudge, The Grudge 2, Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo: Monster’s Unleashed, The Return and Possession. In addition, she scored leading roles on the short-lived shows Ringer and The Crazy Ones opposite the late great Robin Williams. She also did voice acting on the shows Robot Chicken and Star Wars Rebels.

Ryan Phillipe (Sebastien Valmont)

Films like Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer put Ryan Phillipe on the map and transformed him into one of the decade’s most sought-after heart-throbs. Interestingly enough, however, Philippe attempted to distance himself as much as possible from this image after Cruel Intentions, starring in a string of serious films including Crash, Chaos, Flags of Our Fathers, Stop-Loss and The Lincoln Lawyer, with his work on Gosford Park and Crash earning him two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In addition, he landed recurring roles on the shows Damages and Secrets and Lies. He can soon be seen in the TV movie Shooter as the character Bob Lee Swagger.

Reese Witherspoon (Annette Hargrove)

Out of all the cast members in Cruel Intentions, Reese Witherspoon has undoubtedly had the most successful career. In addition to starring in the popular Legally Blonde series, which catapulted her to fame, Witherspoon scored roles in the movies The Importance of Being Earnest, Sweet Home Alabama, Just Like Heaven, Vanity Fair, Walk the Line, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, Water For Elephants, Mud, The Good Lie and Hot Pursuit. Fans can expect to see her in the upcoming movies Wish List and Downsizing.

Selma Blair (Cecile Caldwell)

In many ways, Cruel Intentions was Selma Blair’s first big break; before this, she was mostly getting minor roles in films and on television. After Cruel Intentions, Blair went on to deliver a stand-out performance in Legally Blonde, co-starring Reese Witherspoon. Some of her other film credits include: Hellboy, A Dirty Shame, In Good Company, The Fog, Feast of Love, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Dark Horse, Columbus Circle and Sex, Death & Bowling. From 2012-2014, she starred as Kate Wales on the show Anger Management. She is currently playing Kris Jenner in the TV series American Crime Story.

Joshua Jackson (Blaine Tuttle)

Prior to scoring a role in Cruel Intentions, Joshua Jackson was most known for playing Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek. After Cruel Intentions, Jackson starred in a multiple of movies, such as Americano, Cursed, Shadows in the Sun, Shutter and One Week. In 2008, he landed the part of Peter Bishop on Fringe, which he kept playing until the show ended in 2013. His most recent role was in The Affair as Cole Lockhart.

Sean Patrick Thomas (Ronald Clifford)

After starring in Cruel Intentions as hopelessly infatuated Ronald, Sean Patrick Thomas’s career took off. He scored roles in the movies Dracula 2000, Save the Last Dance, Halloween: Resurrection, Barbershop, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Honeydripper, The Borrowers, Murder on the 13th Floor and Deep in the Darkness. In addition, he landed significant parts on the shows The District, Reaper, Lie to Me, Ringer and Vixen. Fans can expect to see him in the upcoming movies My B.F.F. and Barbershop: The Next Cut.