Romance – Phoebe Dynevor to Lead Beach Read Film Adaptation
Romance – Phoebe Dynevor has been cast in the leading role of 20th Century Studios’ upcoming screen version of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel Beach Read, marking another major project for the British actor as she continues to expand her presence in feature films.
A Popular Novel Heads to the Big Screen
Published in 2020, Beach Read quickly climbed the New York Times bestseller list and became one of the most talked-about contemporary romance novels of the year. The story centers on January Andrews, a well-known romance writer struggling with grief after the death of her father. As she comes to terms with personal loss and unsettling revelations about her family, January also finds herself unable to write.
Hoping for a reset, she travels to her late father’s lakefront home in Michigan to prepare the property for sale. What begins as a quiet summer retreat soon takes an unexpected turn when she runs into Gus Everett, a former college acquaintance who has since built a career as a serious literary fiction author. Gus is facing creative difficulties of his own, setting the stage for a reluctant partnership between the two writers.
A Creative Pact with Complications
In an effort to break through their respective writer’s block, January and Gus agree to an unusual challenge: each will attempt to write in the other’s genre for the summer. The arrangement comes with a strict rule — no romantic involvement. As they push themselves creatively and confront unresolved tensions, the boundaries they set become increasingly difficult to maintain.
The film will be directed by Yulin Kuang, who also adapted the screenplay. Kuang previously collaborated on the Netflix adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation, another novel by Emily Henry. Her involvement signals continuity in bringing Henry’s work from page to screen.
Production will be led by Neal H. Moritz under the Original Films banner, with Karina Rahardja attached as executive producer. At 20th Century Studios, Sarah Shepard and Catherine Hughes are overseeing the project, while the studio’s literary affairs division secured the rights to the novel.
Dynevor Expands Her Film Portfolio
Dynevor, who most recently appeared in Lionsgate’s dystopian drama Anniversary, continues to build a diverse slate of projects across genres. Her upcoming releases include the Netflix survival thriller Shiver and A24’s Famous, in which she stars opposite Zac Efron.
She is also set to appear in Remain, a romantic drama directed by M. Night Shyamalan and co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The film is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. on October 23. In addition, Dynevor has completed filming Pendulum, a psychological thriller directed by Mark Heyman, alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Norman Reedus.
The adaptation of Beach Read places Dynevor at the center of a story that blends emotional depth with romantic comedy elements, a combination that aligns with the novel’s widespread appeal among readers. With a creative team already experienced in adapting Emily Henry’s work, the project aims to capture both the humor and heartfelt moments that defined the original book.
Further details regarding casting and production timelines have yet to be announced. As studios continue to invest in film adaptations of popular novels, Beach Read joins a growing list of contemporary romance titles making the transition to cinema.