The Summer I Turned Pretty Returns with New Secrets and Excitement
As the long, hot summer continues, fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty are in for a treat. The romantic drama series, based on Jenny Han’s beloved young adult novel series, is back for its third and final season. Starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno, the show follows protagonist Belly Conklin as she navigates her feelings between the two Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah.
This season promises to be the conclusion to the story that has captured the hearts of many. The first two episodes premiered in mid-July, but if you’re already counting down the days until the next release, there’s plenty of behind-the-scenes information to keep you entertained and engaged.
A Dream Debut for Lola Tung
Lola Tung, who plays Belly, made her professional acting debut with The Summer I Turned Pretty. This was a dream come true for the actress, who landed the role during her first year at college. She auditioned via Zoom, a process that felt entirely natural to her. “The audition process was entirely over Zoom, which was very interesting,” she shared. “But it’s also all I’ve really known.”
The Real-Life Fisher Family Beach House
Fans may not know that the Fisher family beach house in the show is actually a real location. While the fictional town of Cousins doesn’t exist, the summer estate is located at Porters Neck Plantation in Wilmington, North Carolina. Though the exterior shots were filmed there, the indoor scenes were shot in a studio. The location manager described the setting as having “the romantic Cape Cod vibe.” Unfortunately, the house is a private residence and not open to the public.
Cast Members Who Shared a High School
The chemistry between Lola Tung and Sean Kaufman (who plays Belly’s brother Steven) on screen is no accident. The two attended the same high school—LaGuardia High School in New York City, known for its performing arts programs. Other notable alumni include Timothée Chalamet and Nicki Minaj. Lola even recalls watching Sean’s senior performance as a sophomore before connecting with him through Zoom for chemistry reads.
Bonding Before Filming
To build the strong relationships seen on screen, the cast spent two weeks together in Wilmington, North Carolina, before filming began. Lola described the experience as crucial to creating authentic moments. “It was really important to me that those moments felt really big and special,” she said. “I hope we delivered on that.”
Taylor Swift’s Love for the Show
Taylor Swift’s music plays a significant role throughout the series, both in the episodes and teasers. The singer has openly expressed her admiration for the show, even thanking Jenny Han on social media for using her song "This Love" in the first season trailer. Fans were moved when "August" and "Back to December" appeared in the second season teaser, and "Daylight" and "Red" were featured in the third season teaser.
Lola and Jenny Han even attended Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour together, with Lola sharing a sweet moment with the pop star on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Jenny Han’s Cameos and Story Adjustments
Jenny Han, the author of the original novels, makes subtle cameos in the first two seasons. She appears in the debut ball in season one and again buying wine at a gas station in season two. Despite not enjoying being on camera, these appearances are a nod to fans.
Han also worked closely with the production team to adapt the books for the screen. She made changes to reflect modern times, including more texting and social media references. Additionally, she updated the portrayal of one character, making him more sexually fluid. While Jeremiah’s sexuality wasn’t mentioned in the books, he is now portrayed as queer in the TV version.
Hidden Easter Eggs in Season Three
Season three is packed with hidden details. In episode two, a crossword puzzle left by Conrad includes the title P.S. I Still Love You, the sequel to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Fans also noticed that the word “still” was faintly filled in before being erased. Another easter egg appears when Belly’s family drops her off at college, revealing a photo of her and Jeremiah dressed as characters from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
A Rumor That Needed Clarification
Jackie Chung, who plays Belly’s mother, had to address a rumor about her age after the show gained popularity. Fans mistakenly believed she was 62 due to a Google error, but she clarified that she is actually 44. Even today, some search results still list her as being born in 1961.
Fans Are Divided on Belly’s Choice
With the final season, fans are expected to take sides in the love triangle. The show even issued a warning against bullying, emphasizing kindness and respect within the community. While Lola remains firmly on Team Belly, other cast members have taken different stances. Elsie Fisher and David Iacono support Team Conrad, while Rain Spencer and Kyra Sedgwick are Team Jeremiah.
Lola’s Thoughts on the Ending
Lola is happy with how the story concludes for Belly. “I’m very happy with the journey that [Belly] takes this year,” she said. “It was really fun to feel like it was a little bit more of a mature journey or she feels more grown up.”