When it comes to rom-coms, no one is really doing it like Emily Henry. The novelist has put some of the dreamiest romantic scenarios to paper in recent years, and thanks to an ongoing partnership with Netflix, several of her books are getting the silver screen treatment, too. We've seen just how good this pairing is with People We Meet On Vacation, and now we're gearing up for another masterpiece, in the form of Beach Read.
Of course, as soon as the adaptation was announced, speculation has been rife around which actors will play the couple at the centre of the story. Now, however, we know that both Patrick Schwarzenegger and Phoebe Dynevor have signed onto the project, and filming is officially underway. Here's what we know.
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Who is involved?
Dynevor was the first cast member to be confirmed, and we'd say she's a pretty excellent choice. We know she's adept at the romance genre, having played the diamond of Bridgerton season one. Since then, she's gone on to prove her range with films Fair Play, The Colour Room, and Inheritance.
Phoebe Dynevor has been spotted filming scenes for “Beach Read” 🎬🏖️ pic.twitter.com/7sQY13NXuI
— All about Phoebe Dynevor (@onlygoodwaves) June 30, 2026
The rumour mill has been swirling over who would fill the shoes of Gus, but that's now quietened down, with confirmation that Schwarzenegger is our leading man. He took to Instagram to share the news, writing, "I’m so excited for this!!! First - let me say thank you to [Emily Henry] for the opportunity! I will do everything possible to make the fans happy & proud and bring your brilliant writing to life. PS- my wife is obsessed with you!"
He also gushed about Dynevor, writing, "I can’t wait to bring these characters to life with you. It was a pleasure working opposite you through these chemistry reads."
Joining the lead duo are Andie MacDowell and Kevin Bacon, though their specific roles are yet to be announced.
Yulin Kuang, who co-wrote People We Meet on Vacation is directing this film, and also wrote the script.
Not all fans are satisfied with the casting
As is so often the case when a book is as beloved as this one, Schwarzenegger’s casting had fans somewhat divided. Deadline even referred to him as a “dark horse candidate and an unexpected choice”.
Fan sentiment in forums like Reddit is mixed. Some have written in to air their frustrations saying that Gus has "darker features" and is "on the rougher side". Others, however, have supported the casting, arguing that "the two leads look good together" and "the chemistry is more important".
Kuang has defended the choice, saying it all came down to the chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Dynevor. On social media, she said, “‘Patrick is a slow burn’, is what I wrote in my notes after meeting him for the first time”, adding that she “always maintained that we are not casting a character, but a relationship”.
She continued, “The moment Patrick sat across from [Dynevor], there was something electric in the room with us. ‘There’s magic to chase here,’ I wrote in my notes afterwards”, and remembered Dynevor saying, “It’s obviously Patrick, isn’t it?”
Judging from what we've seen from set, we'd say the chemistry is definitely there...
More of Phoebe Dynevor and Patrick Schwarzenegger as January and Gus filming “Beach Read” in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/hFWzm0x3W7
— written by emily henry (@emilyhenryverse) June 24, 2026
What is Beach Read about?
The film in question is an adaptation of Henry's novel by the same name. It's a romantic comedy that follows two authors who swap writing genres for the summer. January Andrews (played by Dynevor) is a successful romance novelist who is struggling with writer's block in the wake of her father's death. She spends the summer at his beach house in Michigan to prepare it for sale where, you guessed it, she crosses paths with Gus Everett, an author who was once her rival in college. He's also in a creative rut, so they agree to swap genres for the summer in an effort to reinvigorate themselves. We don't have to tell you what happens next...
When will it be released?
Filming is underway, and the project is due to hit cinemas on May 7, 2027.
