Ever since Netflix announced its adaptation of Beach Read, fans have been buzzing about who might bring January and Gus’s electric, enemies‑to‑lovers journey to life. Now, we have one half of the equation sorted, with the enigmatic Phoebe Dynevor a brilliant fit for January Jones.
But the story can't be told without a hefty does of onscreen chemistry. So, who will take the role of the brooding and sensitive Gus Everett? Below, X actors we think would be up to the challenge of stealing our hearts alongside Dynevor.
Logan Lerman
View this post on Instagram
We've been campaigning for Lerman to star in one of Emily Henry's stories for some time now, and he certainly fits the bill for Gus. Having proven he's adept at sensitive, quieter types (The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a prime example), we can absolutely see him embodying an author with a penchant for serious subject matter.
Jackson White
View this post on Instagram
Tell Me Lies might be over, but we'd love some more Jackson White on our screens. Yes, we know him best as the twisted Stephen DeMarco, but we bet he has a softer side. What better way to bring that out than a true rom-com?
Dev Patel
View this post on Instagram
Who says an Academy Award winner can't lend his talents to a rom-com? Patel has actually already dabbled in the romantic-drama genre, having starred in an early episode of Prime's Modern Love. And he's certainly no stranger to an emotionally complex character.
Costa D'Angelo
View this post on Instagram
Another Tell Me Lies alumni, and one that deserves infinitely more screen time. Costa D'Angelo is the Australian actor who brought Alex to life in the third and final season of the twisted hit, a character that shares the same broodiness as Beach Read's Gus. And of course, it's always nice to see an Aussie land a leading role.
Avan Jogia
View this post on Instagram
You might remember Avan Jogia from his breakout role as Beck on Victorious, but trust us, the Canadian actor has done a lot since then. Between countless film and television accolades, writing a book, and playing in a band, Jogia has the kind of range that some actors only dream of. So perhaps it's time he entered his romantic lead era?
Corey Mylchreest
View this post on Instagram
Like Dynevor, Dorey Mylchreest got his start in the Bridgerton universe, starring as a young King George III in the Queen Charlotte miniseries. He also recently proved he can make us feel a lot, leading My Oxford Year, which was equal parts heartwarming and agonisingly sad. This all bodes well for the role of Gus, if you ask us.
Fabien Frankel
View this post on Instagram
Fabien Frankel has that rare mix of charm and intensity that makes an actor so compelling to watch. From his breakout turn in House of the Dragon to more understated, layered roles, he proves he can be both magnetic and unexpectedly vulnerable. Gus needs someone who can charm, surprise, and hold your attention, and we think Frankel is exactly that guy.
