Phoebe Dynevor has been cast as January Andrews in the upcoming film adaptation of Emily Henry's 2020 novel Beach Read. The romantic comedy, announced for development in 2023 by 20th Century Studios, follows two rival authors challenging each other to switch writing genres amid personal struggles. Yulin Kuang is writing and directing the project.
Emily Henry's Beach Read, published in 2020, became a standout in adult fiction and gained popularity on BookTok. The story centers on January Andrews, a romance novelist, and Augustus "Gus" Everett, a literary fiction writer, who become neighbors in beach houses. Both grappling with writer's block after personal tragedies, they agree to a challenge: January attempts a dark novel about a cult, while Gus tries his hand at a romance with a happy ending.
On February 19, 2026, 20th Century Studios announced Phoebe Dynevor, known for her role in Bridgerton, as the first confirmed cast member playing January. The casting positions Dynevor as a lead in another romance adaptation, following her period drama success. No actor has been announced yet for Gus Everett, the male lead opposite Dynevor.
Yulin Kuang, who co-wrote the 2026 adaptation of Henry's People We Meet on Vacation, is handling both writing and directing duties for Beach Read. This marks the second Henry novel to reach the screen. A premiere date remains unconfirmed, but based on the timeline of the prior adaptation, a release could occur in 2027.
The project builds on the enthusiasm for Henry's works, with fans eagerly awaiting how the on-screen chemistry between January and Gus will unfold.