Netflix Announces New Cast Members for People We Meet on Vacation
Netflix has expanded the cast for its adaptation of Emily Henry’s novel People We Meet on Vacation. The 2021 book narrates the story of Poppy and Alex, best friends who embark on annual summer vacations. However, after a trip ends in an enigmatic event that strains their friendship, they lose touch for years. The plot reignites when Poppy invites Alex to Palm Springs, rekindling their bond and sparking new emotions. Emily Bader and Tom Blyth will lead the film as Poppy and Alex, respectively.
New Additions to the Cast
Netflix recently announced four more actors joining Bader (My Lady Jane) and Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). The new cast members include Jameela Jamil (The Good Place), Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill), Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris), and Lukas Gage (You). Their specific roles have yet to be revealed, but author Emily Henry expressed her excitement about the casting, saying:
“I’ve been anxious about who would portray these characters. I am confident that both my readers and new audiences will fall in love with Poppy and Alex.”
Reflecting on Bader and Blyth’s chemistry, Henry added, “I watched their chemistry read four times in 12 hours and loved it more each time. I laughed out loud at first, and by the end, I was quite emotional.”
What the Casting News Means for the Adaptation
Netflix’s Commitment to the Project
Emily Henry has emerged as a prominent author in the romantic comedy genre, with acclaimed books like Beach Read and Happy Place. Consequently, it’s no surprise that several adaptations of her works are underway. Beyond People We Meet on Vacation, Netflix plans to adapt Happy Place into a series with Jennifer Lopez’s production company, while a Beach Read movie is in progress at 20th Century Studios.
Henry’s popularity has surged on BookTok, a TikTok community known for viral book promotions. Among these projects, People We Meet on Vacation appears to be the most advanced, having already secured a cast. Directed by Brett Haley (All the Bright Places), the film doesn’t yet have a release date but could debut within the next year. Typically, casting announcements are close to production commencement, suggesting that filming is imminent. If so, the movie might premiere on Netflix next summer, an ideal season for a romantic comedy.
Speculations on the New Cast Roles
Possible Character Assignments
Though Netflix hasn’t disclosed the new cast members’ roles, familiar readers of the book can make educated guesses. Jameela Jamil might portray Swapna, Poppy’s boss at the travel magazine where she works. Given the importance of Poppy’s role as a travel writer in the novel, Jamil’s character could serve as a mentor to Bader’s Poppy. Sarah Catherine Hook, set to appear in The White Lotus season 3, might play Sarah, Alex’s on-and-off girlfriend.
Predicting the roles for Laviscount and Gage is more challenging, as they might portray new characters created for the adaptation. If Haley remains true to the book, Laviscount could be one of Poppy’s romantic interests from the flashback sequences. Having portrayed a love interest in Emily in Paris, Laviscount fits well for such a role. Meanwhile, Gage could either play one of Alex’s brothers or an eccentric character the duo encounters on their adventures.
Source: Netflix
People We Meet on Vacation
- Romance