A major Bridgertonstar has signed on to play the lead in a buzzy adaptation of a beloved romance novel. Bridgerton was hit right out of the gate when it premiered in 2020, with viewers impressed by the racially diverse take on Julia Quinn’s bestselling romance book series. It was also the steamiest show on television, bringing myriad new fans to the already popular romance genre.
Romance adaptations have continued to dominate in the 2020s, with Heated Rivalry becoming TV’s biggest sleeper hit of 2025. Heated Rivalry‘s multi-year romance between two rival professional hockey players was a hit with audiences who like their romance heavy on both the sweet and the spice. The Canadian series thoroughly embraces its rivals-to-lovers trope, as does this upcoming adaptation starring the actor who made Bridgerton a hit.
Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor Will Star In Film Adaptation Of Emily Henry’s Beach Read
Emily Henry is one of the biggest authors in the romance genre, and her incredible career started with her debut novel, Beach Read, which, like Bridgerton, was released in 2020. Itwas an instant New York Times bestseller, which Henry followed up with her equally beloved romance novels People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, Happy Place, Funny Story, and Great Big Beautiful Life.
Beach Read centers on January Andrews, a hugely successful romance author whose sunny demeanor is dimmed after learning that her late father carried on a long-term affair when he was alive. January inherits his lake house, and while she intends to sell it, she temporarily moves in in an attempt to cure her writer’s block.
However, this is complicated by the fact that her next-door neighbor happens to be her former college rival turned acclaimed literary fiction author, August “Gus” Everett. Gus is also suffering from a lack of inspiration, so the two rivals challenge each other to write a book in the other’s genre. Of course, sparks fly along the way.
Beach Read is receiving a film adaptation from 20th Century Studios, directed by Yulin Kang, and Bridgerton‘s Phoebe Dynevor has signed on to play January (via THR). As Dynevor played Daphne, the first female main character, in the cast of Bridgerton, she comes with an excellent romance pedigree. There is no word on who will play her love interest, Gus, but Dynevor has chemistry with almost everyone she’s onscreen with.
Why Dynevor Is The Perfect Casting Choice For An EmHen Movie
Besides Emily Henry’s celebration of beloved romance tropes and her enviable settings that offer vibes for days, the real reason why so many readers have connected with her books is her complex main characters. Though they easily fit into their prescribed tropes, Henry’s romantic leads are fully developed protagonists who feel like they’re real people. They have mental health struggles, trauma, and everyday problems.
This makes casting an EmHen adaptation all the more important. Pick the wrong actor, and you’ve got a one-note character that’s more trope than person. The perfectly cast People We Meet on Vacationwas such a hit with audiences because actors Emily Bader and Tom Blyth were so successful in tapping into Poppy’s colorful energy and Alex’s complex reservedness, respectively.
The casting team for Beach Read struck gold with Phoebe Dynevor because of her ability to play both light and dark. She proved this as Bridgerton‘s Daphne, who is presented as an innocent “diamond of the first water,” but proves to be absolutely ruthless in going after what she wants. Beyond Bridgerton, Dynevor has proven adept at both broad comedy, as seen in Younger, and thrilling drama, like her intense turn in Fair Play.
This bodes well for the role of January Andrews, who is Henry’s most serious FMC (female main character). January is in a lot of pain, due to both the loss of her father and his cutting betrayal of her family. When January begins writing literary fiction, she ends up interviewing former members of a cult, so Beach Read is a lot heavier than its title would suggest. It’s a challenging role, and one Dynevor is more than up to.
The EmHen Universe Adaptations Are Off To A Great Start With People We Meet On Vacation
As mentioned, the first Emily Henry adaptation was a rousing success, with People We Meet on Vacation bringing in huge viewership numbers for Netflix when it premiered in January 2026. What’s even more encouraging about the upcoming Beach Read is that the film’s director, Yulin Kuang, co-wrote the screenplay for People We Meet on Vacation.
She’s also writing the Beach Read adaptation, and as a Henry fan, she understands the nuances of the author’s books, and assures that the scripts of each adaptation are totally different. Kuang told THR,
“They both have that thread of Emily’s writing that feels like a warm hug. But I think they’re warm hugs after different events. They’re very different books, so I didn’t want to just copy and paste.”
The Henry adaptations don’t stop there, either. Netflix has acquired the rights to both Happy Place and Funny Story, while Book Lovers is also set to be adapted. The only one of Henry’s books that isn’t currently bound for the screen is her latest, 2025’s Great Big Beautiful Life — though it’s likely only a matter of time.
While Henry’s books are all standalone novels, they’re all part of a shared universe, fondly known as the “EmHen Universe.” It’s unknown if the adaptations will get their own cinematic universe, but it’s certainly a fun thought, and anything is possible — especially with Kuang attached to two screen projects. Hopefully, the casting of a Bridgerton star is just one of many exciting Beach Read announcements to come.