Emily Henry and Netflix are fast becoming one of our favourite creative pairings. As anticipation builds for the streamer’s upcoming adaptation of The People We Meet On Vacation, news has landed that the collaboration won’t stop there. Henry’s beloved novels Funny Story and Happy Place are also set to make the leap from page to screen.
Of course, with Funny Story now officially on the adaptation slate (we knew Happy Place was in the works, but originally as a tv series), attention has quickly turned to who could bring its sharply drawn characters to life. At the heart of the story is Daphne, a librarian navigating a life-altering heartbreak. And opposite her is Miles — deeply kind, but hiding more than he lets on.
Netflix has yet to announce any casting details, that hasn’t stopped the internet (and us) from dreaming up its ideal ensemble. Below, 10 actors we'd cast in Funny Story.
Actors we'd cast as Miles
Hudson Williams
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Give us more of anything related to Heated Rivalry, honestly. We know Williams nails the earnest, sincere character — and is just as adept at emotional restraint as he is grand declarations. For Funny Story, we think Williams’ ability to convey quiet longing and slow-burn chemistry would make him a natural fit for a character like Miles. Adding fuel to the rumour mill flame, Henry herself and executive producer Jennifer Lopez reportedly followed the actor on Instagram in recent days...
Joe Keery
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From his breakout as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things to more introspective turns in projects like Spree and Fargo, Joe Keery has proven he can do much more than the charming best friend archetype.We'd love to see him as a romantic lead whose appeal lies in empathy and emotional intelligence. Keery’s natural warmth makes him a convincing choice for a character who disarms through kindness rather than bravado.
Logan Lerman
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Logan Lerman has built a career around quietly conflicted characters, from the sensitive outsider in The Perks of Being a Wallflower to more morally complex roles in Hunters and End of Sentence. In other words, Lerman excels at portraying men navigating vulnerability and self-doubt — traits central to a romantic arc like the one in Funny Story.
Drew Starkey
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Surely it's time for Drew Starkey to let loose from the morally deviant Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks? Funny Story calls for a softer energy, and we think Starkey is more than up for the challenge. Bring on his romantic lead era.
Tyriq Withers
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Best known for Tell Me Lies and I Know What You Did Last Summer, where he navigates secrets and complicated relationships, Withers has shown he can carry emotional weight and bring subtlety to complex characters. For Miles — reserved and more on the tender side — Withers’ natural charm makes him a perfect candidate. An exciting step into leading-man territory.
Actors we'd cast as Daphne
Olivia Cooke
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Olivia Cooke has the perfect combination of sharp humour and emotional depth for Daphne. Best known for her roles in The Girlfriend and House of the Dragon, Cooke has proven she can play darker roles with ease, so we'd love to see her take on Daphne's witty, softer side.
Diana Silvers
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Diana Silvers has been slowly adding smaller roles to her CV, but this could be when she finally enters her leading lady era. From Space Force to Ma, she excels at portraying characters who are smart, self-reflective, and subtly charming — all key traits of Daphne.
Havana Rose Liu
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Havana Rose Liu is an emerging talent, but she's proven she can move effortlessly between comedic moments and emotional depth, making her a natural fit to bring Daphne’s introspective, heartfelt, and self-aware personality to life. Liu’s screen presence suggests she could carry the lead role with charm, relatability, and nuance, making her a compelling fan-casting choice.
Catherine Missal
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Another Tell Me Lies alumni we'd love to see in Funny Story. Even though she can make our hearts race in some of the more stressful scenes as Bree, we know Missal has the range to tackle Daphne's charm and self-awareness — and she's pretty good at a romance scene, too.
Sadie Sink
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Stranger Things is done and dusted, so it's time for Sink's next project. Daphne’s mix of wit, awkward charm, and unexpected tenderness seems tailor-made for Sink, who has a knack for making vulnerability feel confident rather than fragile. She would bring a fresh, relatable energy to the role, if you ask us.
Feature images via Olivia Repaci and Instagram.
