In a significant casting development for romance enthusiasts and television drama fans alike, Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse has officially signed on to star in Netflix’s upcoming series adaptation of the bestselling novel This Summer Will Be Different.
Known for her critically acclaimed performance in the survival thriller Yellowjackets and the drama Heated Rivalry, Nélisse will take on the central role of Lucy Ashby in this highly anticipated romantic production.
The project, which has been picked up by the streaming giant as a 10-episode series, is based on the wildly popular book by Carley Fortune.
The narrative offers a sun-drenched, emotionally charged journey set across multiple summers on Canada’s picturesque Prince Edward Island.
The plot follows Lucy, a young woman in her twenties, who finds herself grappling with an undeniable but highly complicated attraction to Felix, the brother of her absolute best friend, Bridget—effectively the one person she promised herself she would never pursue.
Behind the scenes, the series is being spearheaded by co-showrunners and executive producers Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart, who have previously worked on prominent projects such as Workin’ Moms and Suze.
The production is managed by Sphere Media, with Jennifer Kawaja, Elise Cousineau, and Samantha Levine serving as executive producers alongside author Carley Fortune herself.
Filming is scheduled to commence later this summer, utilizing locations across Toronto and the actual coastal beaches of Prince Edward Island to capture the authentic, breezy atmosphere depicted in the book.
This adaptation represents a growing trend of major streaming services acquiring the rights to contemporary romance novels, capitalizing on the massive popularity of authors like Fortune, whose works have consistently dominated bestseller lists.
For Nélisse, this role highlights her impressive acting range, moving from intense psychological suspense to a softer, more intimate coming-of-age romance.
Fans of the novel have expressed strong enthusiasm for her casting, eagerly waiting to see how the creative team translates the novel’s nostalgic charm and emotional depth to the screen.
