People We Meet on Vacation Cast: The Stars Behind Netflix’s Latest Rom-Com Hit
Netflix’s Romantic Comedy Brings Beloved Characters to Life
Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation—the 2021 bestseller from the popular American romance novelist Emily Henry—is now available to watch on Netflix. The 2026 American romantic comedy film is directed by Brett Haley from a screenplay by Yulin Kuang and Amos Vernon & Nunzio Randazzo, bringing to life one of the most beloved contemporary romance novels.
The Lead Cast: Emily Bader and Tom Blyth
Emily Bader and Tom Blyth star as best friends Poppy and Alex in People We Meet on Vacation, Netflix’s adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel. The film follows a nonlinear narrative of two friends—Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth)—who built their friendship via annual summer vacations together, until an incident on one of those vacations caused a rift so deep that the duo hasn’t spoken to each other for a couple of years. Emily Bader and Tom Blyth joined the lead cast in July 2024.
Supporting Cast Members
The film features an impressive ensemble of supporting actors. Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount and Lukas Gage joined in September 2024. Miles Heizer plays David, Alex’s brother who is getting married in Barcelona and convinces Poppy to take a break from her jet-setting job to be there.
Alan Ruck and Molly Shannon appear as Poppy’s parents, Jimmy and Wanda. Ruck is best known for his roles in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or Succession, and has also appeared in countless other films and TV shows, including Spin City, Speed, Twister, and Elsbeth. Since her breakout years on Saturday Night Live, Shannon has enjoyed a successful TV and film career as well, with credits in the first season of The White Lotus as well as Only Murders in the Building.
Critical Reception and Significance
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of 35 critics’ reviews are positive. Published in 2021, People We Meet on Vacation debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times’ bestseller list and has sold more than 2 million copies in the US, making it Henry’s highest-selling book. The upcoming movie will be Henry’s first book-to-film adaptation, marking a significant milestone for fans of the author’s romance novels.
With its talented cast bringing beloved characters to life and positive early reviews, People We Meet on Vacation represents a promising addition to Netflix’s growing collection of romantic comedies. The film demonstrates how carefully assembled ensemble casts can elevate literary adaptations, creating entertainment that resonates with both book readers and new audiences alike.