Lola Tung wasn't even a household name a few years ago. Now? She's basically the face of a generation's summer obsession. When Jenny Han’s trilogy first hit bookstores years ago, the fans were protective. They had these specific, vivid versions of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah in their heads. Casting was always going to be a minefield. Yet, somehow, the cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty managed to do something rare. They didn't just play the characters; they redefined them for a brand-new audience while keeping the OG book lovers from revolting.
It’s about the chemistry. Honestly, if the spark between the leads didn't work, the whole show would have collapsed under the weight of its own tropes. Instead, we got a group of actors who feel like they actually grew up in Cousins Beach.
The Core Trio: Why Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah Work
Lola Tung’s journey is wild. She was a student at Carnegie Mellon when she landed the role of Isabel "Belly" Conklin. It was her first major gig. Most actors spend years in the trenches of guest spots on Law & Order or bit parts in commercials, but Lola just stepped into this massive lead role and carried it. She has this way of being both incredibly vulnerable and deeply annoying—exactly like a real teenager. You root for her even when she's making terrible choices.
Then you have Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher. He’s got that moody, brooding energy down to a science. It's not just about looking the part. Briney brings a layer of grief to Conrad that makes his distance feel earned rather than just "edgy." Before Cousins Beach, he was just another guy trying to make it in New York. Now, he’s the internet's favorite "complicated" boyfriend.
Gavin Casalegno, who plays Jeremiah, was the most "pro" of the three. He’d been in The Vampire Diaries and Noah. He brings that golden retriever energy that makes the love triangle so painful for the audience. You want him to be happy because he's the "easy" choice, even when you know the plot is pulling Belly elsewhere.
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The cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty succeeded because they didn't treat the material like a silly teen drama. They treated it like a character study.
Beyond the Love Triangle: The Adults in the Room
We have to talk about Jackie Chung and Rachel Blanchard. The friendship between Laurel and Susannah is the actual heartbeat of the show. While the kids are busy being messy, the moms provide the emotional stakes.
Jackie Chung plays Laurel with such a sharp, protective edge. She’s the foil to Susannah’s warmth. It’s a grounded performance. Rachel Blanchard, on the other hand, had the impossible task of playing a woman facing her own mortality while trying to give her kids one last perfect summer. It’s devastating. If you didn't cry during their scenes in season two, you might be a robot.
The supporting cast fills out the world in ways that feel lived-in. Sean Kaufman as Steven Conklin is a standout. He could have just been the "annoying older brother," but Kaufman gives him an actual arc. His chemistry with Rain Spencer (who plays Taylor Jewel) turned their subplot into something fans actually cared about, which isn't always the case with secondary romances in these shows.
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The Cultural Impact of the Cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty
This isn't just a TV show. It’s a phenomenon. The social media presence of the cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty is a huge reason why the show stays relevant during the off-season. They’re constantly posting behind-the-scenes clips, TikToks, and photos that make fans feel like they're part of the inner circle.
- Lola Tung: Became a fashion icon almost overnight, attending major runway shows.
- Christopher Briney: Moved into film with roles like Dalíland and the Mean Girls musical movie.
- Gavin Casalegno: Leveraged his platform to talk about his faith and lifestyle, building a massive individual brand.
The show also did something important for representation. In the books, Belly’s ethnicity wasn't explicitly defined in the same way, but Jenny Han (who also executive produces) made the conscious choice to make the Conklin family biracial. Seeing a multi-faceted Asian American family at the center of a massive romantic drama shouldn't be revolutionary in 2026, but it still feels fresh and necessary. It changed the "all-American summer" aesthetic to be more inclusive.
What's Next for the Cousins Beach Crew?
The anticipation for Season 3 is basically at a fever pitch. Because the show follows the books (mostly), fans think they know what's coming. But the actors have hinted at changes. They’ve grown up. You can see it in their faces—they aren't the kids from the Season 1 pilot anymore.
Lola Tung has been busy on Broadway, starring in Hadestown. That’s a massive pivot that shows she’s not just a "teen star." She has serious range. Christopher Briney has been leaning into more diverse roles, proving he’s not just the guy who stares wistfully at the ocean.
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The reality is that the cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty will likely use this show as a springboard for the rest of their careers. We’re watching the birth of a new Hollywood "Brat Pack," but for the streaming era.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to follow the careers of the cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty or even if you’re a creator looking to replicate their success, here is the breakdown of what made them "work."
For the Fans:
- Follow the Off-Season Projects: Don't just wait for the show. Follow their theater work and indie films. This is where you see their actual growth as performers.
- Check the Credits: Many of the cast members are getting involved in the production side or supporting smaller artists. It's a great way to discover new music and media.
For Content Creators:
- Chemistry is Unfakeable: When casting, look for the "vibe" over the "look." The reason this cast works is that they actually seem to like each other.
- Niche to Mainstream: Use a specific, beloved IP (like Jenny Han’s books) but update it to reflect the current world. Authenticity beats perfection every time.
- Social Integration: The cast didn't just act; they engaged. In the modern era, an actor's ability to connect on social media is as important as their ability to hit a mark.
The cast of the Summer I Turned Pretty proved that "teen" content doesn't have to be shallow. It can be a bridge. It connects the nostalgia of the parents who read the books to the new generation discovering Cousins Beach for the first time. As the show prepares for its next chapter, the actors are already moving beyond the beach house, cementing their places as the next big things in the industry.
To stay truly updated on the filming schedules and latest project announcements for the trio, keep an eye on official production trackers and the actors' personal social media channels, as they often tease wrap dates and new roles months before the trades pick them up.