20th Century Studios has officially announced the highly anticipated lead cast for the film adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel, Beach Read.
Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor is set to portray January Andrews, a successful romance novelist grappling with grief and writer’s block, while Patrick Schwarzenegger has been cast as her former college rival and literary fiction author, Gus Everett.
Schwarzenegger emerged as a “dark horse” during the extensive casting process, but his undeniable chemistry with Dynevor ultimately won over the filmmakers and the studio. However, the decision has sparked a divided reaction on social media, with some fans expressing skepticism over whether he fits the character’s original description in the Beach Read book.
Directed and written by Yulin Kuang, who also penned the adaptation of Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation, Beach Read follows the two polar-opposite authors as they spend a summer in neighboring beach houses in Michigan. To break their creative slumps, they strike a deal to swap genres for the season while promising to remain strictly platonic.
This role marks another significant milestone for Schwarzenegger, who is currently experiencing a career surge following his acclaimed performance in the third season of The White Lotus and his upcoming lead role in the romantic drama Love Of Your Life.
