Netflix Adapts 'This Summer Will Be Different': Cast, PEI Filming Date, and Release Outlook

Netflix is expanding its romance footprint with a screen adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel, This Summer Will Be Different. Led by Yellowjackets star Sophie Nélisse, the forthcoming series will bring readers' favorite coastal romance to life against the picturesque backdrop of Prince Edward Island and Toronto. With showrunners Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart steering the development and production set to begin in late August 2026, the project represents another significant push by the streaming giant to capture the passionate audience driving contemporary beachside romance adaptations.

Quick summary

• Star-studded leads: Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets) plays Lucy Ashby, alongside Francesca Reale (Stranger Things) as Bridget Clark and Roby Attal (The Haunting of Bly Manor) as Felix Clark.
• Key production dates: Principal photography is scheduled to take place between August 31, 2026, and October 16, 2026, across Prince Edward Island and Toronto, Canada.
• Creative leadership: The adaptation is helmed by showrunners Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart, with author Carley Fortune serving as executive producer and co-writer alongside Sphere Media.

Why it matters

The decision to adapt This Summer Will Be Different highlights Netflix’s continued reliance on popular contemporary romance literature to fuel its original episodic programming. Literary romance has surged as a dominant force in visual entertainment, delivering built-in fanbases and high social media engagement across platforms like BookTok and Instagram. By securing the rights to Fortune’s acclaimed work, Netflix strengthens its appeal among young adult and adult romance demographics while deepening its content investment in Canadian production hubs.

Furthermore, this project deepens the working relationship between Netflix’s Canadian content team and Montreal-based Sphere Media. Following the performance of their psychological thriller collaboration Wayward—which spent five consecutive weeks in Netflix’s global top 10—this new venture demonstrates how local production partnerships can yield international streaming hits. For the local film economy in Atlantic Canada, choosing Prince Edward Island for location shooting provides both employment opportunities and significant regional exposure.

Background

Carley Fortune’s This Summer Will Be Different gained widespread acclaim for its evocative description of Prince Edward Island (PEI), a location deeply tied to the author's personal experiences. Fortune has noted that her initial affection for the island began through classic literature like L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables before being cemented during a real-life vacation in her early twenties. The book’s mix of soaring red cliffs, coastal atmosphere, local culinary culture, and complex interpersonal ties struck a resonant chord with readers upon release.

Recognizing the narrative potential of Fortune's world, Netflix executives Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury (Directors of Content Canada) secured the adaptation rights. Sphere Media was brought on board alongside husband-and-wife showrunning pair Dane Clark (One More Time) and Linsey Stewart (Workin’ Moms). Executive producers include Jennifer Kawaja and Elise Cousineau, alongside Fortune herself, ensuring that the television translation stays faithful to the spirit of the original text while expanding its dramatic scope for episodic television.

Cast and Storyline Overview

The narrative centers on Lucy Ashby (Sophie Nélisse), a tourist who escapes every summer to a beach house on Prince Edward Island with her best friend, Bridget Clark (Francesca Reale). During her visits, Lucy experiences intense romantic chemistry with Felix Clark (Roby Attal), a local island resident. However, a major complication arises immediately: Felix is Bridget’s younger brother. Despite establishing strict rules to avoid one another, Lucy and Felix find themselves repeatedly drawn together during annual summer trips beneath PEI's golden sun.

The story takes a dramatic shift when Bridget unexpectedly leaves Toronto just one week before her wedding. Lucy travels straight to the island to support her friend through the crisis while navigating her complicated history with Felix. As Lucy discovers that Felix has changed from the casual, flirty figure she once knew, she is forced to confront whether her feelings can remain guarded or if true romantic vulnerability is unavoidable.

Meet the Cast

• Sophie Nélisse as Lucy Ashby: Beyond her acclaimed work as young Shauna in Showtime's Yellowjackets, Nélisse has starred in Heated Rivalry and Netflix's action feature Close.
• Francesca Reale as Bridget Clark: Reale gained wide recognition playing Heather Holloway in Season 3 of Stranger Things, in addition to roles in Haters Back Off and the Netflix feature film Do Revenge.
• Roby Attal as Felix Clark: Attal played Edmund O’Mara in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix horror entry The Haunting of Bly Manor, alongside roles in Apple TV+'s Lady in the Lake and the prequel series Dexter: Original Sin.

Qnews24h insight

Netflix's choice to schedule filming for late August 2026 suggests a deliberate strategy regarding content pacing and post-production windows. With shooting set to wrap in mid-October 2026, a mid-to-late 2027 release date appears most probable. This timetable gives showrunners Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart ample opportunity to capture authentic late-summer lighting across Prince Edward Island, which serves almost as a central character within Fortune's narrative landscape.

From an industry standpoint, casting actors with established ties to major streaming hits—such as Nélisse from Yellowjackets and Reale from Stranger Things—is a calculated casting formula designed to minimize commercial risk. Rather than relying entirely on unproven talent, Netflix is combining proven performers with a proven literary property. While adaptations of romance novels face the high expectation of satisfying dedicated book fans, the close involvement of author Carley Fortune as an executive producer and writer provides strong structural grounding for the transition from page to screen.

Sources

• Whats-on-Netflix: 'This Summer Will Be Different': Netflix Adaptation Sets August 2026 Filming Date
• Production Weekly (Issue 1513)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will 'This Summer Will Be Different' be released on Netflix?

Netflix has not officially announced an exact premiere date. However, with filming taking place between August and October 2026, the series is widely anticipated to arrive on the platform sometime in 2027.

Where is the series being filmed?

Principal filming will take place on location in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Toronto, Canada, bringing the setting of Carley Fortune's novel directly to screen.

Who are the main cast members confirmed for the show?

The confirmed lead cast includes Sophie Nélisse as Lucy Ashby, Francesca Reale as Bridget Clark, and Roby Attal as Felix Clark.

Is Carley Fortune involved in the TV production?

Yes. Author Carley Fortune serves as an executive producer and co-writer on the series adaptation alongside showrunners Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart.