A popular actor from Bridgerton will star in the upcoming movie adaptation of a well-loved romance novel. Bridgerton was a huge success when it debuted in 2020, praised for its diverse cast and fresh take on Julia Quinn’s bestselling books. The show also became known for its passionate scenes, attracting a new wave of fans to the romance genre.
Romance stories are still incredibly popular on TV, and 2025 saw the unexpected success of Heated Rivalry. The show, a Canadian series about a years-long romance between two competing hockey players, appealed to viewers who enjoy both tender and passionate love stories. Like Heated Rivalry, a new adaptation is coming soon, starring the actor who first gained fame in Bridgerton, and it also focuses on the popular “enemies to lovers” theme.
Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor Will Star In Film Adaptation Of Emily Henry’s Beach Read
Emily Henry has become a leading author in the romance world, launching her successful career with her first novel, Beach Read, which came out in 2020 – the same year as Bridgerton. Beach Read quickly became a New York Times bestseller, and she’s continued to write popular romance novels like People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, Happy Place, Funny Story, and Great Big Beautiful Life.
| Emily Henry Books | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Release Year | Tropes |
| Beach Read | 2020 | Rivals-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, small-town setting |
| People We Meet on Vacation | 2021 | Friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, only one bed, vacation setting |
| Book Lovers | 2022 | Enemies-to-lover, grumpy sunshine, small-town setting |
| Happy Place | 2023 | Second-chance romance, forced proximity, fake engagement, vacation setting |
| Funny Story | 2024 | Fake dating, opposites attract, forced proximity, small-town setting |
| Great Big Beautiful Life | 2025 | Rivals-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, slow burn |
Beach Read follows January Andrews, a popular romance author who’s struggling after discovering her father had an affair. She inherits his lakeside home and decides to stay there temporarily, hoping a change of scenery will help her overcome writer’s block and inspire her next book.
Things get tricky when Clara realizes her neighbor is none other than August “Gus” Everett, a famous author who used to be her college rival. Both are facing writer’s block, so they make a bet: each will try to write a book in the other’s style. Predictably, the competition leads to plenty of friction – and maybe something more.
20th Century Studios is making a movie based on the novel Beach Read, and Yulin Kang will direct. Phoebe Dynevor, known for her role as Daphne in Bridgerton, will star as January (according to The Hollywood Reporter). Given her success in the popular romance series Bridgerton, Dynevor is well-suited for the part. Casting for the male lead, Gus, hasn’t been announced yet, but Dynevor has great on-screen chemistry with most of her co-stars.
Why Dynevor Is The Perfect Casting Choice For An EmHen Movie
Emily Henry’s books are popular not just because they feature familiar romance themes and beautiful locations, but because of her well-developed characters. While her protagonists fit into common romance tropes, they feel incredibly real, with relatable struggles like mental health issues, past trauma, and everyday challenges.
Finding the right actors for an adaptation of EmHen is crucial. A miscast can result in a flat, stereotypical character instead of a believable person. The success of People We Meet on Vacation hinged on Emily Bader and Tom Blyth perfectly capturing the vibrant personality of Poppy and the nuanced, introverted nature of Alex.
The team behind the upcoming film Beach Read made a fantastic choice with Phoebe Dynevor, who excels at portraying characters with both bright and complex sides. She demonstrated this range in Bridgerton, where her character, Daphne, initially appears as a sweet and innocent debutante, but is actually very determined and resourceful. Beyond Bridgerton, Dynevor has shown she’s equally skilled at lighthearted comedy, like in Younger, and gripping dramatic roles, as seen in Fair Play.
I’m really excited about what I’ve seen of January Andrews, who seems poised to be the emotional core of the story as Henry’s main love interest. She’s carrying a lot of baggage – grief over her father’s death and the sting of his deception. And the story isn’t just a lighthearted romance either; January’s journey into writing leads her to explore some really dark territory, interviewing people connected to a cult. It’s a complex character, and honestly, Dynevor seems perfectly suited to handle all those layers.
The EmHen Universe Adaptations Are Off To A Great Start With People We Meet On Vacation
The first Emily Henry book to be adapted for the screen, People We Meet on Vacation, did incredibly well on Netflix when it came out in January 2026. The upcoming film version of Beach Read is also promising, as it’s being directed by Yulin Kuang, who also co-wrote the screenplay for People We Meet on Vacation.
She’s currently working on the screenplay for Beach Read, and as a devoted fan of Henry’s books, she’s familiar with all the subtle details. She promises that each adaptation will have a unique feel. Kuang shared this with The Hollywood Reporter.
Both books share a comforting quality reminiscent of Emily’s writing style – they feel like a warm embrace. However, the comfort they offer comes after experiencing very different things. Because they’re so distinct, I knew I couldn’t simply repeat myself when writing about them.
The adaptations of Emily Henry’s novels aren’t limited to just a few projects. Netflix has also secured the rights to turn Happy Place and Funny Story into movies, and Book Lovers is also in development for a screen adaptation. The only one of her books not currently being made into a film or series is her newest, Great Big Beautiful Life, which is scheduled for release in 2025—but it’s probably only a matter of time before that changes too.
Though Henry’s novels each tell their own complete story, they all take place in the same fictional world, affectionately called the ‘EmHen Universe.’ Whether the upcoming adaptations will create a connected cinematic universe remains to be seen, but it’s an exciting possibility, particularly with Kuang involved in two film projects. The casting of someone from Bridgerton is hopefully the first of many announcements about the Beach Read adaptation.
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2026-03-08 18:42