Netflix Adds Four to This Summer Will Be Different Cast

Netflix has added Malin Akerman, Megan Follows, Nadine Bhabha, and Matias Lucas to the cast of its upcoming 10-episode drama series, This Summer Will Be Different [3]. The expansion of the ensemble cast marks a significant step in the production of the adaptation, which is based on the bestselling romance novel by Carley Fortune [4].

Expanding the Canadian production slate

The new cast members join leads Sophie Nélisse, Francesca Reale, and Roby Attal in a story centered on a romance set across multiple summers on Prince Edward Island [1]. Malin Akerman, known for her role in the Netflix series The Hunting Wives, will play Aunt Stacy [2]. Megan Follows, recognized for her portrayal of Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables, is cast as Cheryl, while Nadine Bhabha will play Farah and Matias Lucas will play Carter [4].

The project is part of a broader strategy by Netflix to grow its Canadian content slate, which officially launched in 2025 [3]. The series, which recently wrapped filming on Prince Edward Island and is currently shooting in Toronto, is helmed by showrunners Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart [4]. The production is managed by Sphere Media, a studio that is also behind other Netflix Canadian titles such as North of North and Wayward [3].

Market context and adaptation strategy

This Summer Will Be Different follows a trend of Netflix developing romance series based on popular literature, joining a portfolio that includes Bridgerton and Virgin River [1]. The adaptation of Fortune’s work—which was published on May 7, 2024—is the latest in a series of book-to-screen projects for the streamer [2].

The production’s reliance on Canadian talent and settings aligns with Netflix’s ongoing investment in domestic Canadian programming [3]. While other romance-focused projects like Ransom Canyon have faced cancellation, the streamer continues to greenlight adaptations of contemporary romance novels, with Fortune’s other work, Every Summer After, recently securing a second season renewal on Prime Video [1].

What to watch

• Premiere Date: Netflix has not yet announced a release date for the series [5].
• Production Milestones: Monitor for the conclusion of filming in Toronto and subsequent post-production updates from Sphere Media [4].
• Content Strategy: Observe whether the performance of this series influences the future volume of book-based romance adaptations within Netflix’s Canadian slate [3].

The addition of established actors like Akerman and Follows signals Netflix’s commitment to the project as it builds out its romance library. Whether the series can replicate the long-term success of established hits like Bridgerton remains the primary question for the streamer’s domestic content strategy.