From Page to Screen: Emily Henry’s Rom-Com Reign Continues with “Beach Read” Adaptation
Modern romance author Emily Henry has captivated a legion of fans with her heartwarming and relatable stories. Now, the highly anticipated book-to-screen adaptations of her beloved novels are finally gracing our screens, and the latest news has everyone buzzing. Following the successful adaptation of People We Meet On Vacation, which became a global Netflix top ten hit starring Tom Blyth and Emily Bader, the spotlight is now firmly on another fan favourite: Beach Read.
This iconic rom-com, set in a picturesque beach town, is set to receive the Hollywood treatment from 20th Century Studios. The most exciting revelation? The leading lady who will embody the role of January Andrews has been announced, and it’s a casting choice that has fans convinced the filmmakers have absolutely nailed it.
The Story of “Beach Read”
Beach Read centres on January Andrews, a romance novelist grappling with profound grief and a debilitating writer’s block following the loss of her father. Ironically, despite crafting tales of love for a living, January finds herself disillusioned and no longer believing in romance. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she ends up living next door to Augustus ‘Gus’ Everett, a critically acclaimed author and her former university rival. Gus, too, is experiencing his own creative slump. To break free from their respective ruts, the unlikely pair decide to put their differences aside and collaborate, embarking on a journey that promises to reignite their passion for writing and, perhaps, for love itself.
Phoebe Dynevor, a familiar face to fans of popular period dramas, has been announced as the leading lady for the “Beach Read” adaptation. Image: Netflix/ Liam Daniel.
Phoebe Dynevor Takes the Lead
The role of January Andrews in the film adaptation of Beach Read will be brought to life by none other than Phoebe Dynevor. Many will recognise Dynevor for her breakout performance as Daphne Bridgerton in the wildly popular Netflix series Bridgerton. Her portrayal in the first season, which introduced audiences to the steamy world of Regency romance, earned her widespread acclaim and a devoted fan base.
Dynevor’s recent work includes a starring role as Madeline Brewer in the dystopian political thriller Anniversary, which premiered last October. With her proven ability to capture audiences’ hearts and deliver compelling performances, fans are eagerly anticipating her return to the romantic comedy genre as January Andrews. Dynevor’s upcoming projects further solidify her rising star status, with a thriller for Netflix and a romantic drama opposite Jake Gyllenhaal for Warner Bros. on the horizon.
The casting of Phoebe Dynevor as January Andrews in “Beach Read” has been met with widespread approval. Image: Getty.
What We Know About the “Beach Read” Adaptation
The film adaptation of Beach Read is currently in development, with Yulin Kuang, who co-wrote the screenplay for People We Meet On Vacation, set to direct. Kuang’s vision for Beach Read has already garnered praise from Emily Henry herself. In a March 2024 interview, Henry described Kuang’s initial script draft as “fantastic” and noted that her interpretation of the story felt “really different and special.”
Kuang has spoken candidly about the pressure associated with adapting a beloved novel. “It was daunting to see the number of comments on the [film] announcement,” she shared. “I was on Instagram and thinking, ‘Oh, people are paying attention.’ You get hit with this tidal wave of how much people care, and it’s impossible not to feel it.”
Neal H. Moritz, through his production company Original Films, is set to produce the film. Karina Rahardja will serve as executive producer, with Sarah Shepard, Catherine Hughes, and the team at 20th Century Studios overseeing the production. Emily Henry subtly expressed her enthusiasm for the project by sharing the Deadline article announcing Dynevor’s casting on her Instagram, simply captioning it “More soon.” This post quickly garnered over 70,000 likes within two hours, underscoring the immense anticipation for this film, which many believe could rival, if not surpass, the success of its predecessor.
More Emily Henry Adaptations on the Horizon
Beach Read marks the second literary work by Emily Henry to be adapted for the screen, but it is far from the last. Fans have a wealth of Henry’s stories to look forward to as they transition from page to screen. The following novels are currently in various stages of development:
- Happy Place
- Funny Story
- Book Lovers
Sarah Heyward, known for her writing on Modern Love and Girls, is attached to adapt Book Lovers for the screen. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions has optioned Happy Place. Emily Henry herself is actively involved in the screen adaptation of Funny Story. It was announced in January 2026 that, as part of a multi-year deal, this adaptation would also find its home on Netflix. With such a promising lineup of beloved books being brought to life by talented filmmakers and actors, the era of the modern rom-com on screen is well and truly here, thanks in large part to Emily Henry.
Feature image: Netflix.
