Turns out we won’t be leaving Silver Falls any time soon: Netflix has officially renewed the coming-of-age drama My Life with the Walter Boys for a fourth season, with the news coming before the now-streaming third season premiered on August 6, 2026. Based on the Wattpad sensation-turned-novel by Ali Novak, the series follows Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez), who moves in with her mom’s best friend’s family in small-town Colorado after her family is tragically killed in a car crash. As Jackie acclimates to the change of pace from her Manhattan roots, she finds herself in a love triangle with two of the brothers living under the roof.

While the first season of the series is largely lifted from Novak’s novel, the subsequent seasons have evolved the story across many different characters and plot points—and season 4 will be no different. Ahead, we break down everything we know about the forthcoming My Life with the Walter Boys season 4.

Everything We Know About 'My Life with the Walter Boys' Season 4

Is 'My Life with the Walter Boys' renewed for season 4?

In May 2026, a few months ahead of the season 3 premiere, Netflix officially confirmed My Life with the Walter Boys will return for a fourth season, signaling the popularity of the YA series. The Tudum announcement noted that this is the second consecutive year in which My Life with the Walter Boys was renewed before the forthcoming season’s premiere.

When will 'My Life with the Walter Boys' season 4 come out?

The streamer has revealed that new episodes can be expected in 2027. “I know I speak for the writers, the cast, and the crew when I say that it is beyond exciting to be returning to the world of Silver Falls for a fourth season,” showrunner and executive producer Melanie Halsall told Tudum. “We are all incredibly grateful and are thrilled to dive in.”

Seasons 2 and 3 of the hit romance series have been released in the summer, and it seems like season 4 could do the same. In early August—just as the new slate of season 3 episodes hit streaming—Netflix announced that the show had already picked the cameras back up. It shared a sweet photo of the main trio back on set on social media, along with a caption confirming season 4 was in production.

With filming already underway, it definitely seems feasible for season 4 to arrive in summer 2027—though we probably won't have an official release date until sometime next year.

Who in the 'My Life with the Walter Boys' cast will return for season 4?

My Life with the Walter Boys wouldn't be the same without the leads—Nikki Rodriguez (Jackie Howard), Noah LaLonde (Cole Walter), and Ashby Gentry (Alex Walter)—so they'll inevitably return. Netflix confirmed as much, based on the photo it shared of them back on set at the ranch.

Much of the supporting cast will also likely return, including the Walter matriarch and patriarch played by Sarah Rafferty and Marc Blucas, as well as the other Walter siblings (and cousins) portrayed by Corey Fogelmanis (Nathan), Connor Stanhope (Danny), Dean Petriw (Jordan), Lennix James (Benny), Alix West Lefler (Parker), Myles Perez (Lee), and Isaac Arellanes (Isaac). The various significant others and friends amidst the Walter family will also likely return, meaning we’ll see more of Jaylan Evans (Skylar), Alisha Newton (Erin), Ellie O'Brien (Grace), Mya Lowe (Kylie), and Kolton Stewart (Dylan). Jackie’s uncle Richard, played by Alex Quijano, could continue to recur in season 4—and his intern Eliot (Naveen Paddock), whom Jackie kisses in the season 3 finale, seems likely to return after that major cliffhanger.

Eldest son Will and his fiancée Hayley, played onscreen by Johnny Link and Zoë Soul, are question marks, as their plans to move to Atlanta were announced in season 3. Similarly, Erin Karpluk, who appeared in season 3 as Lee and Isaac’s mom Hannah, could reappear in season 4, though it’s unlikely given the conclusion of her arc.

What would 'My Life with the Walter Boys' season 4 be about?

Like previous seasons, season 3 ends on a few cliffhangers: Following Jackie and Cole's mid-season break-up, Jackie sees her childhood friend Eliot in a new light and shares a kiss with him, while Cole's life is in danger after a drag race gone wrong. The series also introduces a new love triangle with best friends Alex and Kiley kissing despite her dating Dylan.

The exact plot of season 4 has not yet been revealed—but with Cole's fate hanging in the balance, his pre-race clarity, and the amount of miscommunication that fueled Jackie and Cole's break-up, we're sure to see those lovebirds find their way back to each other in season 4. Halsall told Tudum, “Our story’s about love and romance and love triangles and all those teenage trials and tribulations around those things, and we’re not going to divert from those—so much, much more of that to come in season 4.”

Halsall also spoke to Deadline about her choice to end season 3 with so many stories up in the air. "We like to subvert expectations and make people desperate for more and make people shout at their screen because they can’t believe it’s over," she explained. "It felt like the right place to leave the characters for now after everything that’s happened in this season."

The showrunner shared that the team always knew season 3 would end how it did—and that they know where the entire series is headed. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Halsall said, "I definitely have a story in mind...Obviously things adapt and change while you’re writing. But the overall sense of where we’ll end up remains more or less the same." It hasn't been confirmed whether season 4 will be the show's final installment, but it sounds like there will eventually be a satisfying conclusion to its ultimate will-they-won't-they.

For now, continue to check back, as we'll keep this story updated as more information becomes available.

Netflix reality star Harry Jowsey is ready to settle down, and he’s turning to his inner circle for help finding a wife. The newest reality series from the streamer, Let’s Marry Harry, finds the Australian heartthrob dating a group of women at the same time, The Bachelor-style, sending contestants home as the series progresses until Jowsey finds “the one.” Along for the ride as his confidantes are his ex-girlfriend, Perfect Match star Georgia Hassarati, his “honorary brother” Sonny Henty, and his best friend Amanda Kloots.

This isn’t Kloots’s first foray into reality TV, so she's no stranger to being on camera, but there’s a lot you might not know about Jowsey’s best friend. Ahead, we delve into what you need to know about the former dancer and television personality.

Everything to Know About Amanda Kloots

Kloots grew up in Ohio and is a trained dancer.

Hailing from Canton, Ohio, Kloots is the second-youngest of five children. She began her career as part of major Broadway ensembles including Good Vibrations, Young Frankenstein, and Follies. She became a member of the Rockettes in 2004 and performed two seasons with the iconic troupe. On YouTube, she revealed that she auditioned twice before making the cut, fulfilling a childhood dream. Kloots later appeared on season 30 of Dancing With the Stars, placing fourth.

In 2016, she launched AK! Rope, a jump-rope-based fitness method, which she later expanded into AK! Dance and AK! Body. Eventually, she molded AK! Fitness, a digital fitness brand with cardio, dance, and toning exercises.

She was a co-host of the CBS talk show 'The Talk' until it ended in 2024.

In 2020, Kloots began appearing as a guest host on the CBS talk series, aptly titled The Talk. In 2021, she was bumped up to a permanent host, joining Sheryl Underwood, Jerry O'Connell, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, and Natalie Morales to discuss current events and human interest stories. For both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Kloots was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host along with her co-hosts. After 14 years and 15 seasons on-air, CBS ended the series in April 2024.

Her second husband Nick Cordero died from COVID-19 in 2020.

Kloots was married to her first husband, David Larsen, a theatre actor, for six years before meeting her second husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero. They met in 2014 while working on Bullets Over Broadway, a stage musical adaptation of Woody Allen’s 1994 film. Kloots and Cordero got married in 2017 and became parents to a son named Elvis in June 2019, and were together until Cordero’s death after a 95-day illness attributed to COVID-19 during the pandemic in 2020. Kloots went viral for documenting Cordero’s illness online—especially during the early days of the global pandemic when misinformation was prevalent—as well as her grief after his death.

In 2021, she co-authored a memoir titled Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero with her sister Anna about her experience. On the sixth anniversary of his death on July 5, 2026, Kloots posted a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, remembering him as a “magnificent person.”

Kloots and Jowsey bonded over their grief.

The best friend duo initially met via Dancing With the Stars, though they appeared in different seasons (Kloots in season 30 and Jowsey in season 32), and immediately bonded over their grief. Kloots opened up about losing Cordero, while Jowsey had just lost his father. “Amanda is one of the most incredible, powerful humans I’ve ever met,” Jowsey told US Weekly. “She navigates grief and talks about it with so much grace.”

In the press leading up to the premiere of Let’s Marry Harry, Jowsey has noted that the loss of his father was a motivating factor in his desire to settle down. “My whole dating life for the past 10 years has been in some sort of spotlight...losing my father was obviously the biggest turning point," he told E! News. “The biggest thing I was upset about was I didn't have kids and a wife to meet him. So, that was really difficult, and it made me take everything in life a little more serious.”

Ahead of the Let’s Marry Harry premiere, Kloots announced a new podcast called "Good Grief" that will center on conversations about grief with celebrity and expert guests. Jowsey is one of the announced guests scheduled to appear on the podcast, which officially launched on August 5, 2026, via Dear Media.

She is currently dating former tennis player Justin Gimelstob.

In April 2025, Kloots made her red-carpet debut with new beau Justin Gimelstob at An Unforgettable Evening event, held in support of breast cancer research. The former professional tennis player told PEOPLE, "She's just an incredibly special person. Obviously, she's physically beautiful, but the way she handles everything, she's so classy and has so much grace and is an amazing mother." The pair first met at a Formula 1 race, but didn't go on their first date until a year later when friends intervened.

Kloots has previously mentioned that she's had readings by mediums to communicate with her late husband Cordero, who has assured her that her time is coming. "He has definitely given me his blessing,” Kloots shared in 2024. “And he always says it's coming. That's one of the running themes from readings that I've had, that it's coming: 'I know you're lonely. It's coming.' I don't know. We'll see.”

Gimelstob has a few skeletons in his closet: He received a felony battery charge in April 2019, to which he pleaded no contest. Additionally, he and his ex-wife Cary Sinnott have previously accused one another of domestic violence, setting up a mutual restraining order within their divorce settlement.

In March 2026, Kloots posted a birthday photo dump, thanking Gimelstob for "loving me and spoiling me rotten, treating me like a queen every single day but especially yesterday," noting that it "feels really good to be so full of hope and happiness again."

Netflix's new reality series asks a question that has befuddled dating-show fans: Can Harry Jowsey settle down? After rising to fame on shows like Too Hot to Handle and Perfect Match, the Netflix Reality Universe's biggest breakout star has returned to the streamer for Let's Marry Harry, a Bachelor-like series in which 20 women vie for the chance to wed the self-described "podcast host, entrepreneur, and reformed player."

In the eight-part series, the "Boyfriend Material" host moves into a house full of interested women in search of his bride. With the help of his closest confidants—fitness pro Amanda Kloots, businessman Sonny Henty, and fellow Netflix star (and Harry's ex) Georgia Hassarati—the goal is for Jowsey to leave the show a husband, with a legally binding marriage taking place during the finale. (Of course, any Love Is Blind fan knows that's easier said than done.)

To fill the Let's Marry Harry mansion, the team behind the Alex Cooper-produced series recruited 20 women who are ready to tie the knot. The roster ranges in age from early 20s to early 30s and over-indexes on Geminis, Aries, and Capricorns. (Jowsey is a 29-year-old Gemini, for those wondering.) From aspiring housewives to small-business founders to a single mom (and even a former Bachelor contestant), Jowsey has plenty of options.

With the finale out on August 12, read on to get to know the women of Let's Marry Harry.

Abby

Instagram: @abigaileasterling

Age: 24

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Occupation: Medical esthetician

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Why Harry? "Abby is charmed by Harry’s big smile and infectious laugh, and hopes to see the more family-oriented side of him."

Amber

Instagram: @ambermozo

Age: 30

Hometown: O'ahu, Hawaii

Occupation: Travel photographer

Astrological Sign: Aries

Background: "Married and divorced at a young age, Amber knows firsthand the importance of giving each other the freedom to grow."

Why Harry? "An adventurous spirit will always catch her attention, which is why meeting Harry feels so exciting to her."

Charlie

Instagram: @hustlelikehare

Age: 29

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Occupation: Digital entrepreneur

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Dating Style: "Charlie has high standards, low tolerance, and lives by the immortal words: 'If he wanted to, he would.'"

Dannelle

Instagram: @dannelle_davidson

Age: 33

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Occupation: Cocktail waitress

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Why Harry? "Dannelle is ready to choose Harry for his kindness and for how close he is to his family. 'The accent definitely doesn’t hurt!'"

Debralee

Instagram: @debraleetomberlin

Age: 26

Hometown: Kings Mountain, North Carolina

Occupation: Medical device sales

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Ideal Partner: "She hopes to build a family someday, and is searching for someone who values stability, effort, and emotional awareness."

Elli

Instagram: @e_schryver

Age: 32

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Occupation: "Micro-retired"

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Why Harry? "A fearless leader, she’s not afraid to grab Harry for a chat to flirt or discuss her favorite hobby: sports betting. Her only concern with dating the charismatic bachelor is 'that he is a naughty little chicken.'"

Emily

Instagram: @emily_stonee

Age: 27

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Occupation: Aesthetic nurse injector

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Why Harry? "She’s aware of Harry’s reputation, but she’s excited to learn more about his desire to become a dad."

Emma

Instagram: @emma.pio

Age: 26

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Occupation: Marketing manager

Astrological Sign: Cancer

Dating Non-negotiable: "She’s not giving up her guy friends to appease her partner. 'You should absolutely be allowed to have friends of the opposite sex.'"

Faith

Instagram: @thefaithlove

Age: 24

Hometown: Elkton, Kentucky

Occupation: Marketing

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Background: "Faith thrives on being pushed outside her comfort zone, and her career proves it: modeling, late nights in the hospital, and currently, corporate marketing."

Jade

Instagram: @jadeeinnes

Age: 25

Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California

Occupation: Software sales

Astrological Sign: Aries

Looking For: "She wants someone who can keep up with her lifestyle and isn’t shy about it. 'Financial stability, success, and ambition are legitimate standards, not shallow preferences.'"

Juliana

Instagram: @julsssmelchor

Age: 30

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Occupation: Account manager

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Why Harry? "It’s [her] sense of play that draws her to Harry. Juliana likes that he’s 'a silly goose,' someone who doesn't take himself too seriously."

Lauren

Instagram: @laurenhollinger_

Age: 30

Hometown: Dover, Delaware

Occupation: Nurse

Astrological Sign: Aries

Background: She and her sister competed on Joey Graziadei's season of The Bachelor.

Most Controversial Take: "'Men should support women, and women shouldn’t work.'"

Lindsey

Instagram: @linclarkk

Age: 27

Hometown: San Francisco, California

Occupation: Yacht stewardess

Astrological Sign: Taurus

Why Harry?: "It was Harry’s charisma that hooked her. 'Everyone seems to love him right off the bat.'"

Maya

Instagram: @mayaavery23

Age: 25

Hometown: Armonk, New York

Occupation: CEO and founder of a talent management agency

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Why Harry? "Maya wants a genuine partner, and she's paying close attention to whether Harry has actually grown from his past, or 'just gotten better at talking about it.'"

Mya B.

Instagram: @myabenway

Age: 23

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Occupation: Clothing brand owner

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Why Harry? "Warm, approachable, and easy to talk to, Mya believes she’s found a kindred spirit in Harry."

Most Controversial Take: "She’s big on trust and transparency—so much so that she believes couples should know each other’s phone passwords."

Rickiyah

Instagram: @rickiyahm

Age: 26

Hometown: Humboldt, California

Occupation: Health care recruiter

Astrological Sign: Aquarius

Why Harry? "Rickiyah has zero interest in settling and is curious to see how Harry has moved past his reputation as a player. 'I can respect someone who graduated from the streets.'"

Most Controversial Take: "'I shouldn’t be touching any door handles or public surfaces...'If I wash my hands after a date and there’s any dirt on them, I’m never seeing you again.'"

Sam

Instagram: @samkruseee

Age: 24

Hometown: Chico, California

Occupation: Indoor soccer arena owner

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Background: "What started as an impulsive decision to get back at an ex turned into a highly successful OnlyFans account."

Why Harry? "She loves being around people with big personalities, which is what drew her to Harry."

Samantha

Instagram: @samanthaamadsenn

Age: 23

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Occupation: Recruiter

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Why Harry? "Samantha describes herself as 'equal parts confidence, equal parts chaos,' and is drawn to Harry’s exciting lifestyle and sense of fun."

Dating Style: "The man should always like you more than the other way around."

Sammy

Instagram: @sammygotay

Age: 29

Hometown: Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

Occupation: Pilates instructor

Astrological Sign: Taurus

Background: "A devoted mom, she wants a partner who'll step up as protector for her and her son."

Shaine

Instagram: @shainehinson

Age: 24

Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska

Occupation: Medical sales

Astrological Sign: Leo

Why Harry?: "Shaine is drawn to people who don’t take themselves too seriously and knows how to make her laugh, which is why she’s interested in Harry. 'I love a funny guy.'"

From her first strut into the villa, Ariana Madix has made hosting Love Island USA look effortless. But only she knows how much goes into steering the world’s biggest dating show: tracking the Islanders’ ever-changing affections, calling out toxicity in the fandom, and being ready to step into a skin-baring gown at a moment’s notice. After three seasons with the host—who just earned her first Emmy nomination—it’s hard to imagine anyone else gracing the wooden catwalk.

For Madix, the entrance calls back to what's remained her favorite place since childhood: the theater. “We stand in the tunnel, and [a producer] cues me in, just like you would for a play. Also, because the floors are hardwood, it feels like I'm on a stage,” the reality star tells Marie Claire a week following the season 8 finale. After 10 years of giving a very different type of performance on Vanderpump Rules, it’s as if Love Island USA is the perfect bridge between Madix's reality TV résumé and her theater-kid roots. If anyone knows how to balance passion with keeping cool under pressure—not to mention the spotlight or 24/7 camera crew—it's her.

That's in part what led Madix to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program—an honor she's still processing. “It felt very surreal,” she recalls, chatting over Zoom while barefaced in a black sports bra. “It's really going to hit when we start scheduling things closer to the Emmys. Whenever they do billboards for Love Island, I'm always [in Fiji]. If they do something to promote this, I'll probably get very emotional.”

The awards ceremony is the latest milestone of the whirlwind three years Madix has spent showing the breadth of her talent, channeling heartbreak and a period of transition into a career breakthrough. Go back to her previous interviews, and she’s accomplished every one of her dreams: a Broadway debut, a role on a mockumentary comedy, even the Emmy nom. The recognition also marks a full-circle moment for the longtime Love Island fan, who went from name-dropping the show while she was still on Bravo to becoming a mentor to young women taking their first steps into the public eye.

“Fangirls unite,” she says of going from a viewer to the face of the show. “People love to talk down about it, but fangirling is powerful.”

Ahead of the Emmys on September 14, Madix chats with Marie Claire about her behind-the-scenes styling decisions, how grief affected season 8’s production, and the emotional strength she admires from the Islanders.

MC: What does your day-to-day look like as you’re filming a season of Love Island USA?

AM: It's always in flux, which is fun because it keeps me on my toes. I'm always in the gym and trying to keep my head right. I watch all the episodes, and when I'm wondering if I'm behind on something, I'll text producers or the social team to try to stay up to date. Things are happening so fast that I can very easily be behind on what's going on, especially right after a recoupling.

Sometimes when I go to the villa, I don't have a script. I’ll have an earpiece [to feed me lines], and there are times where I'm saying things that I've never heard or read before. I love it when I can get a script so I can put things in my own words, because I do like to be able to go in and be myself. I always think those are the moments that are the best on the show: when I'm able to bring myself to whatever crazy, fun, sexy moment is about to happen.

MC: Walk me through your styling for the show. How do you choose which outfits to wear each night?

AM: What I wear can definitely be dictated by the subject matter or the feel of the night. When we had our big fitting this year, we didn't know yet which ones were going to be for what. I am so lucky that I have both an amazing stylist here in L.A. and an amazing on-set styling team in Fiji. Our on-set styling team also works with the Islanders, so they have an idea of what the Islanders are going to be wearing, as well. For the premiere, we discussed that the Islanders are all going to be in bright colors, so if I wanted to wear a black dress, this would be the time. And of course it's this gorgeous, fun Tom Ford dress.

For a Casa Amor recoupling, I always think the look needs to feel a little bit dangerous. The finale look can be more celebratory. And then outside of that, it's usually, Do I feel good in the look, and am I excited about it? Because it's Love Island, I always want it to feel sexy and fun, and probably not something that I would wear in my day-to-day life.

MC: Is there a look that best combines your Love Island look and your personal, off-camera style?

AM: [In season 7], the pink [gown] with the hood and the gladiator sandal. I think that was the best marriage of what I would wear going out or something that feels like me and a Love Island style.

MC: Do you have any fun stories behind the looks from season 8?

AM: A lot of the looks this year were last-minute choices. The wet-look dress was actually one of my personal dresses that I just happened to bring with me. It had been pouring for days, and we had to figure out shoes I could wear in case I needed to walk in the rain. For the red one, my friend Taylor [Jean Cox] designed it, and I knew that was going to be the Casa recoupling dress. We had a fitting in my house the day before I flew to Fiji, and she was able to make that dress and get it out to set. That was the one I was the most excited to wear all season.

MC: Longtime fans know that season 7 was very different from the typical Love Island season. Were there any lessons you learned that you took into season 8?

AM: Anytime people say, ‘But we always do this,’ [the producers are] going to change it. They're never going to let anybody think they know what's coming next. That's part of what I love about the show because I always love to be surprised. In terms of my hosting, something I took away from season 7 is that the Islanders are always going to do what they want to do, and they're going to feel how they're going to feel. I love them all, and I always hope that they're okay. I feel like I could have reiterated that more.

MC: You often speak out against negative criticism towards the Islanders. With the show's growing popularity, how have you learned to handle the online criticism?

AM: I don't think that hate has any place in our viewership whatsoever. If I'm scrolling and I see someone being hateful, I block them. I don't care who or what they're talking about. I really was excited to hear that they were handling the socials differently this year, with the Islanders turning off certain things on their profiles, because that was something I was hoping that they would have done in season 7 as well.

Fans are not always going to agree with what someone says or does on the show. That's the point: We all date differently, we feel differently, we come from different backgrounds. If you want to talk about how you didn't like the way that someone said or did something, that's completely fine. But to then harass or send Islanders hate? I think it's so wrong. Because no matter what, they're all trying their best in this moment, and that's all that you could ever ask of somebody.

MC: Executive producer James Barker tragically passed away while filming season 8. How did you and the production team process the loss of a colleague while still having to make a successful show?

AM: Honestly, it was really, really sad. I don't know how the people on his team who worked with him day in and day out were able to continue. We had a night where everyone came together and celebrated James, and I'm glad we were able to take a moment on the show for him in one of the episodes as well. James was a friend of mine, someone who I really valued. He was so talented, so kind. The big thing that we connected on was our love of music. We would send each other music nearly every day, especially when we were in Fiji. I would be watching the show, and text him about a song, and he would know exactly what I was talking about. I feel like in so many ways he was the heart and soul of the show.

When I've experienced losses, if I can be distracted by something I'm passionate about, such as this show, it's helpful. I think that a lot of the team were feeling like, Let's do this for James and let's get through the season. I know that [the executive producing team are] all missing him terribly because they worked so closely together. I hope that now that we're all back, everyone's able to take some time for themselves, be with family, and process.

MC: So much has changed for you in the past three years, both professionally and personally. How has hosting Love Island and being in your current relationship changed your views on love and dating?

AM: Something I always take away from the Islanders is their ability to express exactly what they're thinking and feeling to each other in the moment. I admire that as a strength in people because it’s something I’ve definitely struggled with. I blame it on my Virgo moon. I'm a Cancer who feels things very deeply, but until I can process those things and put some logical explanation to it, I don't know how to express it. So I always try to take that away and be able to bring that to my real life. Also, I am a very anxious person, and Daniel [Wai, my boyfriend] really helps my nervous system. He helps me be able to go into a job like this and feel confident and loved.

MC: If you think back to a younger Ariana—hustling in N.Y.C., bartending at Butter, making College Humor videos—what do you think she would be like as a contestant on Love Island?

AM: Besides the crippling insecurity that I would feel being in a bathing suit all day, I think I would have been very messy. I would've been trying to collect boys and girls like infinity stones—so maybe a great Islander and a horrible Islander at the same time.

MC: Speaking of, you’ve said before that you want more queer representation on Love Island. What are your thoughts on people who say it doesn’t fit the show’s format or logistics?

AM: We’ll figure out the logistics. When there's a recoupling, they tell the powers that be. They're not coming up with it in the moment. Making this show is always laying one piece of train track in front of the other as the train is approaching. So we would figure it out. That's just me being optimistic or maybe delulu, but I certainly think that it's possible.

MC: Many of your career goals have come true, from performing on Broadway to earning an Emmy nomination. What do you hope to manifest next?

AM: If I say something out loud, especially in a forum where other people are going to hear about it, I feel as though, Okay, now that I've said it, I have to put work towards it. Putting something out there allows me to really focus and work towards it. What are the loftiest goals possible? EGOT status is probably the biggest. I think my ideal life includes getting to host this fun, fantastical show, being able to go on stage and dance and sing, and to go on TV and creatively express myself and make people laugh. If I could balance all of that with a loving and stable life at home, that to me is the ultimate goal. We're manifesting that now, but we can still put the EGOT out there.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Sports-romance is certainly having a moment—and not just on #BookTok. As romance book-to-series adaptations have started to take over our streaming services, the subgenre has proven particularly popular in the pipeline, with hits like Heated Rivalry to Off Campus.

There's certainly no shortage of romance books worth getting the on-screen treatment—but if you've been hoping for more LGBTQ+ love stories, you can get excited because one of the most popular sapphic soccer romances is headed to Prime Video. In spring 2026, the streamer confirmed that it will soon release a TV series based on Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute. The 2023 book about two female soccer players who have tension on the field and even greater sexual tension on the sidelines marked Wilsner's third queer novel and has since become a TikTok hit and USA TODAY bestseller.

The series, retitled Playing the Field, will center on the Cleat Cute leads Grace and Phoebe, but also expand into an ensemble comedy. Wilsner, who is among the executive producers, has expressed how they're championing whatever is to come. "As a consumer, I can't stop thinking how lucky we are to get multiple versions of queer stories across different media," they wrote in an April 2026 Facebook post. "I'm so excited to see where [they take] my favorite fictional soccer lesbians!"

Read on for everything we know about the Cleat Cute adaptation Playing the Field so far.

What is 'Cleat Cute' about?

Cleat Cute unfolds as a classic rival-to-lovers story about a veteran national soccer team star named Grace and her new teammate, Phoebe, who just took her spot on the field after an injury. It’s all fun and flirtation between the two of them until Grace has recovered enough to get back on the field, where she’ll be competing against her new situationship for a spot on the World Cup roster. Both women will have to decide what's really important to them—and what they're each willing to give up.

According to Deadline, the TV adaptation will use the couple’s tension-filled relationship as the “anchor” to the show, which will showcase the “sexy, messy, and exciting” lives of four different players on the soccer team.

Who is involved behind-the-scenes of Prime Video's 'Cleat Cute' TV adaptation 'Playing the Field?'

When Deadline confirmed an adaptation was in the works in April 2026, the outlet revealed Sarah Tapscott—who previously wrote and produced on hit series like New Girl, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and more—will lead Playing the Field as showrunner, executive producer, and writer.

"When I tell you this could not be in better hands, I mean it," Wilsner gushed of Tapscott via a post on Facebook. "Within five minutes of meeting her over Zoom, I knew she was our showrunner. She's fucking hilarious, to put it mildly."

There are a few thrilling names beyond Tapscott, as well. Bringing the professional athlete expertise are former WNBA player Sue Bird and former USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who both serve as executive producers. Wilsner also sung praises of them, writing, "I mean come on, Megan and Sue...Everyone working on this project is fantastic."

Additional producers include Wilsner themselves, Jeff Wachtel (Murder in a Small Town, Good Cop/Bad Cop), Jared Berenholz (Murder in a Small Town), Camille Bernier-Green, and Emily Rasenick.

What has Meryl Wilsner said about the 'Cleat Cute' TV adaptation 'Playing the Field?'

Wilsner has made it clear to fans that while they are an executive producer of the show, they're very open to any liberties that Tapscott may take with their work. "Cleat Cute is one of my favorite books I’ve written, but that’s what it is. A book,” they explained in a Facebook post. "Playing the Field is not my baby. As a creator, I love seeing someone else’s take on the characters, and I can’t emphasize enough how great [Tapscott] is."

When will the 'Cleat Cute' TV adaptation 'Playing the Field' be released?

There is no release date for Playing the Field. It might be a while before it hits streaming, too. Wilsner has described the timeline as "vague."

"There are many, many, *many* steps to making a TV show," they wrote to fans in April 2026. "The basics of the show—script, outline, general vibe—are being established. This is a very fun stage, but it’s not the same as being in production."

Considering it's still early days for the series and casting hasn't begun (more on that below!), the finished product might not hit our screens until at least 2028.

Why is the name changed from 'Cleat Cute' to 'Playing the Field?'

The Cleat Cute title has notably been changed to Playing the Field for the TV show (not unlike Prime Video's decision to shift Every Summer After to Every Year After for its Carley Fortune adaptation). Wilsner opened up about the change, explaining that it only allows for the series to grow.

"This is a TV show, not a movie, so the story needs to be expanded instead of whittled down," the author wrote on Facebook. "Cleat Cute was specifically the story of Grace and Phoebe falling in love, and Playing the Field is an ensemble comedy."

And we already know how the show plans to expand beyond the book's horizon. As its logline teases, the on-screen version will focus on several players and their love lives. While it's way too early to say how long Playing the Field will run, it certainly seems ripe for a different focus each season à la Off Campus.

Who has been cast in the 'Cleat Cute' adaptation 'Playing the Field?'

No casting decisions have been made yet (“I don’t know who will play Grace or Phoebe," Wilsner admitted when the adaptation was announced). However, the writer is certainly interested in who her readers would like to see, asking on social media, "Who do y’all have in mind?"

While nothing is confirmed, several names have already popped up on social media, with fans nominating stars like Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets, Santa Clarita Diet) or Ella Purnell (Fallout, Sweetpea) as Phoebe and Charlotte Austin (Petrichor) or Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) as Grace Henderson.

Netflix's wholesome Korean reality show Better Late Than Single returned for its second season this month, with a new cast of eternal singles (or "모태솔로" in Korean) dipping their toes into the dating pool for the first time. Over 10 episodes, the 20- and 30-something singles lived together in a retreat on Jeju Island where they got to know each other in the hopes of finding their first relationships. The dating show ended on July 28 with the final couples walking off to continue their romances in the real world, leaving viewers to wonder whether their new faves are still together.

Thankfully, Netflix won't leave fans waiting for too long! The streaming giant has announced a reunion special for Better Late Than Single season 2, which will bring the cast back together for relationship updates and answers to some lingering questions. Below, read on for everything to know about the upcoming reunion, titled Better Late Than Single: After Service.

When does 'Better Late Than Single: After Service' come out?

Netflix has confirmed that the Better Late Than Single reunion special will arrive on the streamer on Saturday, August 1, 2026, just five days after the season 2 finale. The exact timing of the release is unknown, but fans have noticed the special may seemingly arrive a day early in the U.S.

With After Service, Better Late Than Single becomes the third Netflix Korean reality show to get a reunion spinoff, after Single's Inferno Reunion and Physical: Welcome to Mongolia.

Which cast members will return for 'Better Late Than Single: After Service?'

Netflix has yet to confirm which cast members will appear on Better Late Than Single: After Service. All of the season 2 cast members are likely to return to some extent, including Kim Jae-seo, Jeon Seo-yoon, Yoon Jung-yun, Choi Hyun-seo, Lee Han-ju, Ahn Seung-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Choi Hyuk-joon, Lee Jin-woo, Han Su-ji, An Jeong-eun, and Kim Tae-hoon. However, there's a chance some stars may only appear for part of the special, if there are scheduling conflicts with their real-life jobs.

As for the show's hosting panel, who provide both commentary for viewers and pre-show dating advice for the cast, comedian Lee Eun-ji and singer Car, the Garden are set to return for the special. (No word yet on whether actors Seo In-guk and Kang Han-na will also make an appearance.)

Finally, the Better Late Than Single: After Service trailer teases something that fans have been teasing for a while. In the clip, the season 2 cast sits down for blind dates with some familiar faces from season 1, including Kang Ji-su, Kim Seung-li, Lee Min-hong, and Yi Do.

Is there a trailer for 'Better Late Than Single: After Service?'

The Better Late Than Single: After Service trailer promises some awkward-yet-charming drama once the season 2 cast gets back together. In addition to updates from the final couples—Hyun-seo and Hyuk-joon and Han-ju and Jin-woo—it seems that there may be an update on the love triangle between Soo-hyun, Seung-hyun, and Tae-hoon.

Other notable clips in the trailer include a light-hearted "Dating IQ game" hosted by Lee Eun-ji and Car, the Garden; a presentation of dating tips given by season 1's Noh Jae-yun; and the aforementioned blind dates between season 1 and season 2 cast members. We'll have to wait and see whether the "second chance at love" the trailer promises will lead to success.

Ever since December 2025, hockey-romance fans have been waiting with bated breath for Hudson Williams to return to their TV screens. While his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie quickly made his way to Saturday Night Live (and picked up an Emmy nomination!), Williams chose to team back up with Crave, the Canadian streamer behind the Game Changers adaptation, for another steamy drama.

Created by playwright Kat Sandler and based on her play of the same name, Williams' next project, Yaga, is a contemporary mystery-thriller and feminist retelling of the witch Baba Yaga from Slavic folklore. When the young heir to a fishery (Williams) goes missing, a private investigator gets wrapped up in an investigation involving "a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic," per the plot description.

"Yaga began as a play with a cast of three in a 200-seat theater, reimagining the myth of Baba Yaga through a modern lens with a genre mashup of mystery and myth," Sandler teased to Entertainment Weekly. "It has since evolved into television as a collision of folklore, fairy tale, noir thriller, police procedural, horror, and feminist fantasy, while continuing to ask the question: What makes a witch?"

Now that Crave has begun teasing new details ahead of a fall release, read on for everything to know about Yaga, including how to watch the highly-anticipated series in the U.S.

When does 'Yaga' come out?

Crave and AMC+ have confirmed that Yaga is set to arrive on streaming in October 2026. The streamers have yet to confirm an official release date, but it's expected that the eight-part series will release weekly (as the fellow Crave series Heated Rivalry did).

Where can you watch 'Yaga' in the U.S.?

For American fans, Crave has confirmed that Yaga will be available to stream in the U.S. via AMC+ this October. It's currently unknown whether or not the series will release concurrently on Crave in Canada and AMC+ in the U.S.

For viewers new to AMC+, the streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, after which a subscription starts at $8 a month with ads or $11 a month without ads. Viewers can also add AMC+ as a channel on Prime Video for the same rates after a seven-day trial. (People who subscribe to AMC+ also get access to the horror streamer Shudder and the indie-focused Sundance Now.)

Or, if you've been meaning to rewatch Heated Rivalry or check out Jacob Tierney's Letterkenny or Shoresy, Yaga will also be available to stream on Crave. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.

Who is in the cast of 'Yaga?'

In addition to Williams, the Crave crime-thriller has an exciting leading cast. Carrie-Anne Moss (of The Matrix, Memento, and Jessica Jones fame) stars alongside the actor as Katherine, a "charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men," per the description. Moss has already teased that her and Williams' characters get physical in the series.

"I got to make out with him, so that’s lovely," Moss said, pointing to Williams, during the show's upfront presentation in June 2026. "He was super respectful. He was so respectful to my personal space. This guy is, like, a serious gentleman."

Rounding out the lead cast are Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek, The Vampire Lestat) as Rapp, the out-of-town P.I. looking into the disappearance, and Clark Backo (Letterkenny, The Changeling) as Carson, an "apprehensive" local detective. According to EW, another notable cast member is Sheila McCarthy (The Miniature Wife) as Olena Yaha, "a cheeky and wise local woman, originally from Ukraine, who has a soft spot for younger men, vodka, and hallucinogenics."

Is there a 'Yaga' trailer?

Crave released the first teaser for Yaga at this year's Comic-Con, previewing the spooky, erotic series. The clip is full of interesting moments, from Williams and Moss' characters getting intimate to witchy scenes involving ritualistic icons and chickens to a shot of Williams' character smiling and holding a chicken while wearing only a midsummer headdress. Thankfully, some narration also gives viewers a primer on the titular myth.

"There's versions of her all over the world. Sometimes she's an ugly old witch who lives in a disappearing hut on chicken feet. Sometimes she's a wise woman, an enchantress, a healer. Sometimes she helps a hero on his quest," Moss' character, Katherine, says. "Sometimes she tests him. Sometimes she kills him. Sometimes she eats him. Sometimes she fucks him. But she always has a name."

When Netflix's Western-romance series Ransom Canyon premiered in April 2025, it cemented itself as the next must-watch for fans of the soapier side of Netflix originals. Based on author Jodi Thomas' book series, the show follows several locals in a West Texas ranching community as they deal with business rivalries, conman plots, and love triangles that make The Summer I Turned Pretty seem tame. And to cement its "Texas, Forever" bona fides, Minka Kelly leads an ensemble cast that has garnered the show the nickname "Handsome Canyon."

Ransom Canyon's second season, which just arrived on Netflix, turns up the heat with several new rivalries and suitors guaranteeing that the titular town is always on its toes. And of course, it ends with some cliffhangers to leave fans wondering what's next. Below, read on as we keep track of any and all updates on the fate of Ransom Canyon season 3.

Is 'Ransom Canyon' renewed for season 3?

Netflix has not revealed whether Ransom Canyon will get a season 3 renewal, but that's not a bad sign. After season 1's April 2025 release, it took two months for season 2 to be confirmed. Odds are the streaming giant will wait to see a few weeks of viewing numbers for season 2 before announcing its renewal decision.

Either way, showrunner April Blair has confirmed that the series' writers are already discussing what could happen in a possible season 3. Speaking to Decider, the showrunner confirmed that the writers' room has already picked back up as of season 2's release.

When will 'Ransom Canyon' season 3 come out?

Depending on how soon a season 3 renewal is announced, Ransom Canyon could cement itself as a yearly show. With season 1 airing in April 2025, followed by season 2 this July, season 3 could arrive on our screens sometime in late summer 2027.

Who in the 'Ransom Canyon' cast will return for season 3?

Minus some major shakeups, Ransom Canyon season 2 solidified the main cast for Netflix's romance hit. Though season 3 is still in the works, the main cast will all likely return, including Minka Kelly (Quinn O'Grady), Josh Duhamel (Staten Kirland), Lizzy Greene (Lauren Brigman), Philip Winchester (Dan Brigman), Garrett Wareing (Lucas Russell), Casey W. Johnson (Kit Russell), Marianly Tejada (Ellie Estevez), Jack Schumacher (Yancy Grey), and Justin Johnson Cortez (Kai Flores).

It's currently unclear whether supporting players like Heidi Grace Engerman (Sidney), Kenneth Miller (Freddie), and Steve Howey (Levi) will return for more episodes.

What will 'Ransom Canyon' season 3 be about?

Season 2 ends by resolving most of the show's big questions. Quinn and Staten finally get together, with the blessing of her previously disapproving mother Claire. Ellie gives birth to a healthy baby girl, but even though Yancey successfully kept his ranch away from Sidney, Ellie breaks up with him to protect their child. And after a season of Lauren being torn between two brothers, she makes amends with her ex Lucas and stops her new beau, Kit, from leaving Ransom. (Yes, that means she's now dating the guy her mom was having an affair with in season 1.) Staten even gets control back of the Double K, and Quinn's music festival saves Ransom. Happy times (mostly) all around.

Now that season 2's out, April Blair has teased a bit of what's in store for season 3. Speaking to Deadline, she said that, unlike the six-month gap between seasons 1 and 2, Ransom Canyon season 3 will start without a time jump, so viewers can "see all the fallout of where we left off in season 2."

It also seems that Staten and Quinn are fully out of their will-they-won't-they era for the foreseeable future. "I think, moving forward, there will be hurdles and challenges, but it’s not about breaking them up," Blair told the outlet. "I wanted, ‘Okay, now they’re together, but what are those challenges moving forward?’ A relationship, finding each other and falling in love, is actually the easy part. It’s making a life with someone and figuring out who they really are deep down, what are the skeletons in their closets, and ‘Can you love someone at their worst?'"

Ransom Canyon viewers will still have other love triangles to watch. In addition to Yancy and Kai's interest in Ellie, Blair also hinted that the Lauren-Lucas-Kit saga isn't over yet (despite the Ashley of it all).

"Lucas is struggling to figure out who he wants to be, and for me, I don’t know if it’s even within the life of the series, but I think Lauren and Lucas are endgame in the way that Staten and Quinn were and are," Blair told Deadline. "They need to have loves and other lives and figure out who they are, and before they can be together, and I would love the show to go on long enough to see that. But even if it doesn’t, that’s, in my mind, where they end up. They’re the Staten and Quinn, and they just have to have a lot of other journeys and figure out who they are."

She added that Lucas may be headed towards "his own bad boy era" in future episodes. "Moving forward, in our idea of season 3—we’re just in the room—it’s a potential Season 3 right now, but the idea is that Lucas is hurt, but he’s trying to put on [a brave face]."

Lovers of the romance genre have been absolutely spoiled in recent months with a steady stream of film and TV adaptations of beloved novels and book series. From Off Campus to Every Year After to the first onscreen version (so far) of an Emily Henry novel, romance readers and watchers alike have been booked and busy. And it’s not stopping: Still to come this year are adaptations of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis and Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard. At the same time, this summer has also heralded the arrival of the second season of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon.

The Netflix show is based on a long-running series of cowboy romance novels by prolific author Jodi Thomas. Each dives into the life and love stories of a broad cast of characters throughout a West Texas ranching community. With the next set of eight episodes arriving on the streaming service on July 23, there’s no time like the present to dive into Thomas’ books—and, just in time, we’ve compiled a guide to help you on your journey through the neo-Western saga.

How do the 'Ransom Canyon' books compare to the Netflix series?

The first season of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon hews fairly close to the first book in Thomas’ book series, with its primary focus on Staten and Quinn. However, it also expands the roles of certain characters, such as Lucas and Yancy, who only briefly appear in the first book before having their stories fleshed out in later installments. Similarly, other characters, like Lauren, debuted in the show right away, while their arcs are introduced much later in the novels.

But beyond season 1, expect the show to veer off in a pretty drastically different direction from Thomas’ novels. Showrunner April Blair has said that the series essentially used the first Ransom Canyon book as a jumping-off point and will continue expanding the primary characters' lives and stories, instead of turning its attention to a new couple each season, as Thomas' books do.

“In Jodi’s series, each novel introduces a whole new cast of characters. It’s almost kind of anthology-like, and some characters reappear from time to time, but it really is like a whole new group of people,” Blair told Deadline when season 1 premiered. “That wasn’t really an achievable thing for us in series. We wanted to stick with one cast, so we stuck to the single book as this jumping-off point.”

So—spoilers for the first Ransom Canyon book and season ahead!—while the first novel in Thomas’ series ends with Staten and Quinn deciding to be together and preparing to welcome a baby, the TV show is stretching out their relationship into a will-they, won’t-they. After Quinn heads off to New York at the end of the first season, she returns to Texas in season 2 to figure out where she’s meant to be. She even has a new love interest (Ben Robson’s Oliver), making things even more complicated between her and Staten.

Everything to Know About the Main 'Ransom Canyon' Series

Book 1 — 'Ransom Canyon'

Thomas’ initial entry in the series arrived in 2015 and primarily follows an older Staten who’s haunted by memories and often turns to the artsy, reclusive Quinn O’Grady for comfort. In the Netflix series, this core couple is played by Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly. The book also charts the coming-of-age story of the ambitious Lucas (Garrett Wareing in the show) and the potential start of a new life for petty criminal Yancy (played by Jack Schumacher).

Book 2 — 'Rustler’s Moon'

The main romance in Book 2 centers on Angela Harrell, a woman who ends up in Ransom Canyon while on the run from her past life, and Wilkes Wagner, who has also recently landed back in town to take over his family ranch. The novel also picks back up with Lucas, who’s keeping his high school sweetheart Lauren (portrayed by Lizzy Greene) in a frustrating situationship instead of committing to the full-fledged relationship he’s long promised.

Book 3 — 'Lone Heart Pass'

Lone Heart Pass introduces yet another ranch in Ransom Canyon: The rundown Lone Heart farm, which Jubilee Hamilton inherits. Still reeling from a career crash-out and a breakup to boot, Jubilee soon finds sparks flying with the gruff new foreman she’s hired, Charley Collins. They’re also joined on the farm by Thatcher Jones, who needs a safe place to land while tangled up in a murder investigation.

Book 4 — 'Sunrise Crossing'

Yancy’s back in Book 4, focusing on getting his life together and rebuilding his old house in Crossroads, Texas. There, he crosses paths with an artist, Tori, who’s hiding out from her controlling parents. Intertwined in their love story is that of Parker, Tori’s gallery manager, who hitches a ride with strong, silent cowboy Gabe to come to the artist’s aid.

Book 5 — 'Wild Horse Springs'

Thomas’ fifth book in the main Ransom Canyon series also circles back to some OG characters, as Lauren returns to her hometown and finds herself right back in the orbit of her first love, Lucas. Elsewhere, her dad Dan (played by Philip Winchester in the Netflix series) just might decide it’s time to spice up his steady life with the help of free-spirited singer Brandi.

Book 6 — 'Indigo Lake'

We’re back at the Lone Heart farm, now inherited by Blade Hamilton, who rides into his ancestors’ dusty Texas town on a motorcycle. He finds a star-crossed lover in Dakota, who can’t seem to resist Blade’s charms, despite the longstanding feud between their families. Meanwhile, Lauren is struggling to figure out where she really belongs: pursuing a big-city life or getting back to her comfortable roots in the canyon.

Book 7 — 'Mistletoe Miracles'

The penultimate novel in the main Ransom Canyon series centers on three separate people, each of whom ends up with a Christmas miracle on their hands. There’s Griffin Holloway, who’s decided the best way to save his family’s Maverick Ranch is by marrying a wealthy bride by the end of the year; Jaxon O’Grady, who learns from an unexpected visitor that maybe he actually isn’t as content in his solitude as he thought; and Jamie Johnson, who discovers a mysterious man sleeping on her couch—and claiming to be her husband.

Book 8 — 'Christmas in Winter Valley'

The eighth and final book in Thomas’ core series is another wintry tale and centers on two more of the Holloway men. Cooper, trying to avoid family Christmastime chaos, retreats to the remote Winter Valley, only to be visited by two strangers who each deeply impact his life. Elliott stays put at Maverick Ranch, where he’s juggling farm finances, an overbearing family, and the re-emergence of a past love.

Are there any 'Ransom Canyon' prequel novels?

You could start your Ransom Canyon reading journey by diving into the prequels, which Thomas published in 2015 and 2025—or you could read them later on after you've been introduced to some of the characters, considering these feature more of their and the town's origin story.

The first prequel, Winter’s Camp, is set in the frontier era and explains how the Ransom Canyon community came to be by following a young James Randall Kirkland on his journey west, where he comes across a beautiful Apache woman named Millie and is quickly smitten.

Silverleaf Rapids, Thomas’ latest addition to the series, picks up several generations later and further sets up the stories to come. A young Staten Kirkland leaves college early to take over his family’s Double K Ranch in the wake of his grandfather J.R.’s illness, forcing him to grow up quickly and shoulder quite a bit of responsibility. Meanwhile, two other couples you’ll soon come to know and love—Peggy and Duke, and Charlotte and Wade—are also finding each other in the small Texas town.

Are there any other books in the 'Ransom Canyon' series?

Thompson simply can’t get enough of Ransom Canyon Christmastime tales: In 2017, between Indigo Lake and Mistletoe Miracles, she published A Christmas Affair, a novella telling the very sweet love story of Maria, a hopeless romantic who makes jams and jellies to be sold at the local grocery store, and Wes, the store’s shy owner.

Otherwise, Thompson hasn’t said anything about publishing any other Ransom Canyon books. But while we continue to hold out hope for still more installments, there are plenty more series and standalone romance books from the author to dive into, most of which are also set in Texas and span both contemporary and historical love stories.

Netflix's reality TV series The Ultimatum holds an awkward place in the world of dating shows. While, like its sister show Love Is Blind, the Lachey-led series glorifies marriage as the ideal happy ending, its path towards said marriage is via a diabolical "social experiment" that's only rivaled by Temptation Island.

The Ultimatum season 4, which just wrapped on Netflix, took that dissonance to the next level, as five out of its six couples left the show engaged...before the reunion revealed that a good number went on to meet brutal ends. Add on the whiplash of season 4's finale and reunion dropping on the same day, and you get a sense of why The Ultimatum's rollercoaster can quickly go from thrilling to harrowing.

Below, read on to learn which of The Ultimatum season 4 couples are still together, from the pairs who split up soon after the finale, to the couple that's already married.

Are Alex and Jebin still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

The first sign that season 4 would be the messiest yet was when Jebin and Alex became the first couple to be kicked out of the "experiment," rather than leaving of their own accord. Arriving on the show, the couple of six years were stuck in limbo due to cultural differences and Jebin's immaturity, which seemed to turn off most of the female cast members. Alex began to click with Killian during the dating stage, but once she admitted to Jebin that she may have been "falling for" Killian, Jebin passed her a secret note where he accused her of making him look dumb and wrote, "There is no way we are getting married." With the whole cast (and the Lacheys) turned against him, Jebin was asked to leave the show at the recoupling dinner, and Alex had to leave with him.

Despite that wild exit, Jebin and Alex revealed at the reunion that they continued to date for another few months before they eventually split, partly due to "Jebin’s expectations around finance and fitness." As for the note, Jebin has no regrets, and Alex says she understood that Jebin's note was fueled by insecurities. That's despite the fact that both of them told Tudum Jebin had written a second, worse note that he planned to share at the dinner. (And Alex eventually read it!) Nowadays, the pair are single and on good terms (which is more than you can say for some of the other couples), and Jebin has apparently moved to Puerto Rico. Sure.

Are Jessica Grace and Edris still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Most seasons of The Ultimatum include one couple who doesn't make it to the partner-swapping stage, with one of them (often the man) coming to their senses and making a show of commitment at the recoupling dinner. For season 4, it's Edris who gets down on one knee and proposes to Jessica Grace, his ultimatum-giving girlfriend of two years, in episode 3. Though this was in theory exactly what she wanted, the look on Edris' face as they left the dinner didn't seem to match the joy of the occasion.

After leaving the show early, Jessica Grace and Edris returned for the reunion. As it turns out, they're no longer engaged, nor in contact. Edris admits that he proposed because he had no potential trial partner left after Alex was kicked off the show. After a frosty first night together as an engaged couple, Jessica Grace and Edris did go to couples' counseling—but one of her final straws was him accusing her of only becoming friends with Alex because he was attracted to her. (After his major concern entering the show was that Jessica Grace was "too friendly with other men.") Also, Edris hit on Alex via text while he and Jessica Grace were in the process of breaking up but still physically intimate. (Edris explains this more graphically.)

So yeah, Jessica Grace and Edris are both single, and after he got so crass and she got so heated at the reunion, it seems to be for the best.

Are Hayley and Blake still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

In a very messy season, Hayley and Blake were half of season 4's most dramatic foursome. They joined the show two years into their relationship, with Blake giving the ultimatum. From the start, they both admitted they were complete opposites, and emotional Hayley felt that logical Blake wasn't showing her love the way she needed (by employing all five love languages). For their first trial marriage, they swapped partners with Ashley and Killian. Those trial marriages were mostly dominated by Killian's chaos (more on that below), but by the time Hayley and Blake reunited, they hadn't made much progress on their own issues.

Ahead of the finale, the pair seemed to go around in circles having the same argument about who's putting in more effort. After one blowout, Hayley admitted that she had been following unhealthy patterns in relationships and had felt some resentment about being emotionally neglected. On the day of the finale, Blake promised to love Hayley the way she wanted, and Hayley was ready to say yes to his proposal. But the happy mood didn't last once cameras stopped rolling.

Even before the finale and reunion dropped, TMZ reported that Blake had been arrested for allegedly assaulting Hayley several months after filming ended. Though Hayley didn't press charges, she hints during the reunion that Blake convinced her to sign an affidavit that he didn't put his hands on her. The pair have very different stories regarding the incident, with both accusing the other of getting physical. (Though Blake mostly talked over Hayley during the reunion, she shared her side of the story on Love Is Blind alum AD Smith's "What's the Reality?" podcast.) Per Tudum, they were able to come to a bit more of a resolution after the reunion ended; they are now both single.

Are Ashley and Killian still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Ashley and Killian are the second couple supplying season 4's drama. When the former competitive cheerleaders arrived on the show four years into their relationship, Ashley was ready to get married, but they both agreed that they needed her father's approval. But we learned throughout the season that Killian had been disrespectful towards Ashley before, and he even briefly admitted to cheating on her. (Why didn't this come up again?!)

Though Killian's trial marriage with Hayley was pure mess—and Blake and Hayley warned Ashley about Killian's gross comments in Killian's group chat and his comment that he would've slept with Hayley if she wasn't "modest"—Ashley still claimed that she'd seen some growth in Killian once they reunited. Once he put in the work to win Ashley's dad's blessing, the couple walked away from the finale an engaged couple.

When they walked back onto the reunion stage a year later, Ashley revealed that she ended things with Killian two or three months after filming wrapped. They both recalled dealing with lingering jealousy about their time with Blake and Hayley once they got home. Ashley even claimed that in one incident, a drunk Killian threw her phone and put his hands on her. Though Killian owned up to treating her horribly and apologized, he also argued that she wouldn't take accountability for her part in the split, and that she didn't pour as much into him as she did into her.

In the end, Ashley admitted that her dad "was right," and they weren't meant to be together. They're both now single; Ashley, who moved back to Texas, told The Swooon that she's in her "dating era" (and may have her eyes on Perfect Match).

Are Monica and Luke still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Monica and Luke had a pretty smooth journey throughout the season. The childhood-neighbors-turned-lovers arrived on the show with Luke ready to get married, but Monica had financial concerns and was frustrated that Luke considered her perfect and put her on a pedestal. In their trial marriages, they worked on meeting in the middle, with Monica learning to be vulnerable and Luke being more confident about taking charge.

At the reunion, Luke and Monica reveal that they've spent the year since filming traveling, hustling, and redoing their proposal (a private moment with just the two of them on their fifth anniversary). Luke says that after the show, he had more confidence in both their relationship and his career; he's gotten certified and is now applying to become a lineman. The couple is currently planning their wedding in Santa Barbara and seems happier than ever.

Are Casey and David still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Casey and David are another one of two success stories of this tumultuous installment. Coming onto the show, they were five years into their relationship, and David was more hesitant about marriage as a whole than about Casey. David and Casey went into trial marriages with Monica and Luke, respectively, and the time away from Casey helped David get vulnerable about his parents' divorce and subsequent rocky relationships. Though Casey and David still had issues to work through once they reunited—including David not paying his student loans—he realized, thanks to a heart-to-heart with Casey's dad, that he wasn't doomed to repeat his parents' history. In the finale, David fully opened his heart to Casey, and the couple shared an emotional proposal.

Fast-forward a year later, and Casey and David are still together and happy. They explained at the reunion that they've grown stronger since David began sharing his worries and fears with Casey, and that they'd learned how to argue productively. David even shared that his mom told him, "You made me believe in love again."

If that isn't enough of a happy ending, Casey and David have also made The Ultimatum history. The pair are getting married on the Amalfi Coast this September, but for the legal stateside nuptials, the pair asked Nick Lachey (who's ordained, because of course he is) to marry them during the reunion! It's not a baby, but it still brings Vanessa to tears, and Nick sings a bit for the first(?) time on Love is Blind and The Ultimatum. What a way to cap off a reunion.

The YA genre tends to dominate lists of buzzy book-to-TV adaptations, but now and then, viewers crave a more mature adult romance. Thankfully, Peacock has already snapped up one of #BookTok's most beloved, complex love stories to bring it to screens.

Since 2022, author Kennedy Ryan has enthralled readers with emotional, breathtaking romances that also explore deeper issues like depression, grief, chronic illness, financial hardship, and caring for an aging parent. Now, several of these love stories may be headed to our TVs; in April 2026, Universal Studio Group announced a "first-look" deal with Ryan in which she can develop not only projects based on her own books, but also new original stories and adaptations from other authors. First up: a series based on her breakout novel Before I Let Go, which is in development at Peacock.

"Kennedy’s stories are deeply resonant and culturally impactful, and we are excited to collaborate on adaptations that honor her vision while connecting with audiences in bold, meaningful ways. Not only is she a celebrated and powerful voice in the literary space, but she leads with thoughtfulness and creativity. We can’t wait to work with her to bring these new and existing stories to life," Jordan Moblo, USG’s executive VP of creative acquisitions and IP management, said in a statement.

Though it's still early days for Ryan's journey from page to screen, we've already begun keeping an eye out for any news on the adaptation of her most-loved novel. Read on for everything we know about the Before I Let Go TV series adaptation so far.

What is 'Before I Let Go' by Kennedy Ryan about?

Before I Let Go, the first book in Kennedy Ryan's Skyland series, is a "scorching emotional second chance romance" about ex-spouses who can't help but be drawn back to each other.

Yasmen and Josiah Wade built a life together that includes two children and a successful restaurant in the Atlanta neighborhood Skyland. But following a pair of unthinkable tragedies, their marriage falls apart. Before I Let Go picks up two years after their divorce, which they spent learning to co-parent and run their business together amid the new normal.

After dealing with so much change, both Yasmen and Josiah are ready to date again. But as the spark between them reemerges—and spurs some spicy stolen moments—they begin to wonder whether they're really ready to let go of forever.

As Ryan has explained, "this is a love story for realists." "[This] may sound funny coming from a romance writer, but the romance I write leans into the realities of life and really makes no attempt to escape them," the writer has said. "These two people, who loved each other so very much, had a lot to work through on their own. I’m not saying they or anyone else has to divorce to do that, but for this story and the decisions this couple made, time apart reformed them into people who could be happy and healthy together."

Who is involved behind-the-scenes of Peacock's 'Before I Let Go' series adaptation?

With development underway, Universal is already building a dream team for Before I Let Go. In addition to serving as executive producer, Ryan is co-writing the series alongside Malcolm D. Lee, the writer and director behind the classic Black rom-com franchise The Best Man. Lee has also directed comedy films like Roll Bounce and Girls Trip, so Lee's a perfect fit for the material.

There will likely be more announcements for additional names joining the series as Ryan and Lee build out the show.

What has Kennedy Ryan said about Peacock's 'Before I Let Go' series adaptation?

On the day the deal was announced, Ryan shared a comprehensive update on the Before I Let Go adaptation and the full scope of the "first look" deal.

"Getting the chance to co-write the Before I Let Go pilot with Malcolm D. Lee is such an honor and an incredible experience," she wrote. "We are working hard to bring you the show you deserve! We’ve been plotting and cooking for a while. This opportunity has given me not only a great collaborator, but a friend! We’ll share more when the time is right."

Who has been cast in the 'Before I Let Go' series adaptation?

With Before I Let Go still in early development, no one has been cast in the series yet. Of course, that hasn't stopped devout readers from throwing their fan casts into the ring. Names that have been thrown out include Trevonte Rhodes, Aldis Hodge, McKinley Freeman, Jay Ellis, Jayme Lawson, Yaya DaCosta, and Teyonah Parris, among others. Start manifesting your dream Yasmen and Josiah now!

Love Island USA may be over (aside from the reunion), but Netflix is extending this summer of reality TV. The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, the streaming giant's controversial dating show, has returned for a fourth season of partner-swapping chaos. From the producers of Love Is Blind, The Ultimatum recruits couples at a crossroads to test whether they're really meant for marriage by splitting them up to see if the grass would be greener with someone else. After two trial marriages—one with a new match and another with their original partner—each couple has to decide whether to get engaged or part ways.

Season 4 of the divisive reality show brings three couples to Sin City to work out issues ranging from broken boundaries to parental pushback to emotional barriers. (This installment also marks the first time a couple has been kicked off the show.) Below, read on for a primer on the stars of The Ultimatum season 4, ahead of the July 22nd finale.

Hayley and Blake

Hayley's Instagram: @hayleydinae

Blake's Instagram: @theblakerobertson

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Blake

26-year-old Capricorn Blake and 23-year-old Sagittarius Hayley fell for each other two years before joining the show, while Hayley was nannying Blake's stepbrothers. Practical Blake is ready to take the logical next step and start his ideal big family, but Hayley still wants Blake to open up more and meet her emotional needs.

Ashley and Killian

Ashley's Instagram: @ashleywilsonxoxo

Killian's Instagram: @thekilliangrondin

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Ashley

26-year-old content creator Ashley and 29-year-old real estate agent Killian first met as teenagers on rival competitive cheer teams and then reunited by chance in Miami. After four years of living together and raising two dogs, Ashley's ready to start building a life with him. However, after a "family altercation" that compelled Ashley's dad to rescind his blessing, the couple has been concerned about having her family's full support.

Casey and David

Casey's Instagram: @caseycdouglass

David's Instagram: @davidatkinson_1

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Casey

Over the five years they've been dating, 33-year-old basketball player David has given 34-year-old entrepreneur Casey three promise rings. In addition to "running out of finger space," Casey is ready for marriage, kids, and the kind of long-term partnership that she grew up seeing with her grandparents. However, David is still worried that even if he fully devotes himself to her, she may wake up one day and leave.

Monica and Luke

Monica's Instagram: @monicapaynee

Luke's Instagram: @lukaswesselhoff

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Luke

33-year-old Luke and 28-year-old Monica may be five years into their relationship, but he's had a crush on her since they were kids living down the street from each other. They reunited when they both went home during the pandemic and have been together ever since. Though lover-boy Luke says they can get through anything together, Monica is an admitted "high maintenance girlie" who wants to have her career and finances in line before she ties the knot.

Jessica Grace and Edris

Jessica Grace's Instagram: @jg_booker

Edris' Instagram: @escissorsman

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Jessica Grace

Former NBA dancer Jessica Grace, 35, has been ready to marry her boyfriend of two years, 38-year-old actuary Edris, for a while. She's also on a timeline, between wanting to have kids and her dad's declining health. Though Edris is on the same page about children, he told Tudum that he "wasn’t sure Jessica and I shared the same values around boundaries, respect, and emotional safety in a relationship."

Alex and Jebin

Alex's Instagram: @alexandriajohnsen

Jebin's Instagram: @jebinjohn

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Alex

Hairstylist Alex and hedge-fund manager Jebin, both 23, have spent the past six years together after meeting as co-workers at a Chicago grocery store. Alex is ready to move to the next step in their relationship, but Jebin faces unsupportive parents who are wary because Alex isn't of Indian descent. With The Ultimatum also marking his first time living outside of his parents' home, Jebin wonders if building a new life could mean losing his family in the process.

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can stream now on Peacock. The best seasons of Love Island USA have at least one buzzy second-chance romance; in season 8, that honor belongs to 23-year-old Aniya Harvey and 28-year-old Carl Schmidt. After original Islander Aniya's initial coupling with KC Chandler came to a dramatic end, Casa boy Carl swooped in as her prince charming and won the hearts of the audience. Though Trinity Tatum and Bryce Detloff walked away the winners of season 8, Aniya and Carl were the season's undisputed fairytale.

Now that the couple's back home from Fiji and preparing for the season 8 reunion, we're breaking down Aniya and Carl's relationship so far and their plans outside the villa.

What happened between Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Carl and Aniya's love story began when Carl entered the villa as one of 12(!) men brought in for Casa Amor. Only six of the boys were chosen to stay, but Carl was chosen after he and Aniya bonded over their shared love of volleyball. The pair spent all of Casa getting to know each other, but even though they had some steamy kisses and Aniya gushed over how great he was, she still had feelings for KC. She even cried when she saw a picture of KC kissing newcomer Titi Davis.

When Casa came to an end, Aniya remained loyal to KC, and she was humiliated when KC came back with Titi and seemed unrepentant. Since he wasn't chosen, a single Carl was dumped from the villa, and Aniya quickly regretted her decision. Luckily, Episode 21 ended with a brilliant twist where America voted to bring back one girl and one boy from Casa. Carl made his triumphant return in the next episode's cake-themed challenge, instantly cheering up Aniya.

Though Carl had said during Aftersun that he had some walls up after Aniya's choice, those walls were clearly made of air. They quickly picked up where they left off, with Carl making cute breakfasts for Aniya and the pair sharing more makeout sessions in Say Less. When the male Islanders got the chance to recouple after Movie Night, Carl shared his intentions with the iconic line, "Revenge is sweet, but this girl is a little sweeter."

From there, Carl and Aniya were one of the couples that floated through the final week of season 8. Their karaoke challenge was adorable, they got flirty in bed, and their respective families were (and remain) big fans of their relationship. The volleyball lovers even got one of the most romantic finale dates in the show's history, a Princess and the Frog moment with a custom storybook that made Aniya's princess fantasies come true.

In the finale, Aniya and Carl were revealed to be the runners-up for Love Island USA season 8.

Are Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

A little over two weeks after the Love Island USA finale, Carl and Aniya have confirmed that they are taking things slow. The pair appeared as guests on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live on July 29, alongside season 8 winners Trinity and Bryce. Of course, Cohen made sure to ask the runners-up whether they've made things official.

"No, so we are not officially boyfriend-girlfriend yet," Carl told Cohen. "I came in late; I came during Casa Amor, so [we] had a couple weeks to get to know each other. I honestly feel after two weeks, the connection had just been really strong, and we just feel really really happy. We just kinda want to keep rolling that as long as we can."

Carl also shared new details about his time on the show, revealing that Aniya was his "number one" even before he went into the villa. He explained that producers let the Casa crew watch early episodes, adding, "They would ask us like who our top picks were, you know, and Aniya was always always number one."

He also admitted that his and Aniya's second Say Less kiss knocked down his cotton-candy-thin walls. "She just gave me so much reassurance and was like, 'We can take this at the pace you want.' She felt apologetic, but was also just like very open to keep exploring our relationship," he said. "People joke that the walls that I put up were made out of wet cotton candy. She brought those walls down and really gave me the comfort to feel how I do."

Immediately after Love Island USA season 8 ended, Aniya and Carl also took their romance to social media. On July 15, Aniya went Instagram official with Carl as part of a heartfelt tribute commemorating the season. "I truly cherish the connection I have with Carl and I’m so happy that he made my fairytale dream a reality. I cannot wait to see how our story continues," she wrote.

Carl posted his own tribute the same day, which was a bit more succinct. He captioned a picture from the couple's storybook date with the statement, "Walls were never really up let’s be honest." (The couple also commented "princess" and "prince" on each other's posts, of course.)

Since returning to the States, the couple has been very active on TikTok, where they've been commenting on each other's old posts and sweet fan edits.

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can stream now on Peacock. 22-year-old Trinity Tatum and 30-year-old Bryce Detloff were an unlikely pair when Love Island USA season 8 began. Though they chose each other on night one, fans didn't know whether the newly unemployed Virginia native and the Hollywood model and DJ would have much in common. Who would've thought that six weeks later, Trinity and Bryce would walk out of the villa together, as boyfriend and girlfriend and $100,000 richer?

As they leave Fiji and readjust to their regular lives, fans are ravenous for any news of the future of America's favorite couple. (First off, how quickly will Bryce get Trinity back to L.A.?) Read on for a breakdown of Brinity's relationship so far—and their plans for the future.

What happened between Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Model and DJ Bryce and former hardware-store worker Trinity quickly paired up after entering the villa, but their romance was still a bit of a slow burn. After (attempting to) explore with bombshells Kayda Bosse and Gabriel Vasconcelos, Bryce and Trinity settled into a friendship pairing that could potentially build to romance. This lack of drama meant the couple got less screen time than other couples (like Melanie and Sincere), but they shared laughs, gossip sessions, and childhood stories over the weeks—and Brinity built one of the strongest bonds in the villa.

Everything changed with Casa Amor. In an ideal scenario for the relationship test, the three days apart made Bryce and Trinity both realize the depth of their feelings. Trinity briefly explored with Corey Sawyer, Jr., but she soon (unknowingly) joined Bryce in pining for the day they would be reunited. (They even had matching worries that the other had found someone who matched their traditional type.) Finally, when Casa came to an end, Bryce and Trinity reunited and ended their fake-relationship-to-lovers arc.

Once they were back together, Bryce wasted no time asking Trinity to be his girlfriend (which was contrasted with his bestie Zach Georgiou's hesitancy to make it official with Kayda). Brinity spent the rest of the season in relationship bliss, while supporting their fellow Islanders through the chaos of Movie Night. Brinity joined eventual runners-up Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt by bringing the love to Love Island, including an excellent Family Day where Bryce's grandma became a quick fan favorite while demanding that the young couple get sent to the Hideaway.

Trinity and Bryce sailed through to the final four and were treated to another out-of-Villa date during the season finale. During the romantic dinner, they said "I love you" for the first time, with Trinity admitting that she was waiting for him to say it first. Of course, it was no surprise when host Ariana Madix eventually revealed that Brinity had been voted the winners of Love Island USA season 8.

Are Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

Bryce and Trinity wasted no time in sharing their love once they got their phones back. In addition to some cute Instagram posts and comments, the pair had their first post-finale interview on the Today Show on July 15, where they opened up about their romance and what's next for them. Though Trinity hinted that she was headed back home, she added, "Virginia ain’t seeing me for too long."

"Honestly, this is my first time out of Virginia, being in L.A. I definitely want to explore L.A. more and see how I like it," she explained. "I definitely want to be wherever Bryce is. I don’t like being away from him for too long. I get a little separation anxiety."

Bryce echoed that anxiety, sharing that now that they're outside of the Villa, his heart starts racing even when Trinity goes out on errands. "You spend 24 hours with each other every day for almost 50 days, and it's an emotional [show]...One thing that brings us together is that comfort in those moments," he said. "In those challenges [I could] confide in her and feel safe. Bringing that into the real world, I feel like life is the challenge."

In the writers' room for Lucky, showrunner Cassie Pappas kept coming back to Heat. The Apple TV miniseries bears little resemblance to Michael Mann’s 1995 crime drama, but its writers were gripped by the age-old game of cat-and-mouse: two people locked in a chase because they know nothing else.

“We've seen this idea of a person on the run and a dogged law enforcement chasing him,” Pappas tells Marie Claire over Zoom ahead of Lucky’s two-episode premiere. “Our show now has three women doing that. We have a female criminal (Anya Taylor-Joy), a female mob boss (Annette Bening), and a female FBI agent (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor). How does that genre change when women are at the helm?”

Based Marissa Stapley’s novel, the series was first popularized as a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club selection before landing with Pappas (Silo, Griselda) and co-showrunner Jonathan Tropper (Warrior, See). Taylor-Joy, who was attached to the project from the start, plays a grifter often underestimated for her size, age, and gender. “Nobody thinks that she's the smartest person in the room—when actually, every single time, she is,” Pappas says.

While Tropper was in New York filming another Apple TV title, Your Friends and Neighbors, Pappas ran the set for Lucky, which unfolds as an electrifying desert chase across seven episodes. As action-packed as the series is, it never strays from its emotional core: the relationship between Taylor-Joy’s character and her con-artist father (Timothy Olyphant). With Olyphant’s John in federal prison and Lucky unsure whom she can trust, she grapples with an identity crisis while on the run.

“I won't give anything away, but a big action sequence ends in her realizing, ‘My cons have real consequences,’” Pappas says. “We were always trying to have an emotional depth piece connected. If we're going to crash a car, we want it to also make you feel something deep about the character.”

With the first two episodes of Lucky streaming now, Pappas tells Marie Claire about writing a conscientious con artist, working with a star-studded cast, and crafting a “muscular, propulsive” thriller with Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter of Hello Sunshine.

Marie Claire: Tell me about adapting this novel. There are some big changes from page to screen. What were the thought processes behind some of those choices—or sticking points?

Cassie Pappas: Reese and Lauren from Hello Sunshine got the rights to the book [and were] extremely involved every step of the way. They were always on set. They give very detailed notes on scripts. They are the most hands-on producers that I've ever worked with. This was more muscular and more action-packed than some of the shows they had done in the past, and they were super eager to go there—and they were responsible for attaching Anya. Every single word we wrote with her in mind.

But the thing that we gravitated towards the most in the book was this dysfunctional father-daughter relationship. Tropper, having written something like This Is Where I Leave You, I know he does dysfunctional families very well, and if I were to tell you any of my family stories, you'd be like, “Oh, you're primed and ready to write that.” But what made the stakes higher is that theme of, How am I like my parents? What baggage have I inherited? What am I genetically predisposed to?

Her dad's a con artist. He's a criminal, and he's raised her exactly like him, to be an extension of him. She was born into a life of crime that she didn't choose, but she's really fucking good at it because he raised her in his likeness. As she's trying to get out of this life and come of age, there's this self-awareness theme. She's physically running from those external forces, but internally, I liked the conflict of, What if the thing I'm running from is in my blood? What if I can't outrun it? Can I be the author of my own life?

MC: How involved were you in the casting process?

CP: We had Anya, and then we knew the next person we needed to cast was Priscilla. Annette Bening was always our number one, but I don't know that any of us really thought we were going to be lucky enough to get her. When we sent her the script, she leaned in and wanted to hear more. When it became real, it almost feels like any other actor is like, “Yeah, I'd love to be on board.” The Tim piece came because Jonathan Tropper had worked with him before, and I know that Lauren had a relationship with him—but my understanding was that he had heard about the part and was very, very interested in it as well.

MC: The first thing that gripped me from episode 1 was the action. It's brutal; it's very engaging. How did you go about mapping and executing that, and what role did Anya play in the process?

CP: I think the reason [Hello Sunshine] went to Tropper first is because he had a more action-heavy background. The word that kept being used a lot was “muscular.” In television, everybody wants something bingeable, they want something propulsive, so those are the words that kept being thrown around.

The pilot is a full sprint with a huge action set piece at the end, which then allowed us in episode 2 to go, “Let's take a downbeat, let's have her hide, let's have her lick her wounds, let's have her figure out her next move.” You can really do character in that episode. It was about managing both, and we never wanted to do action for action's sake. We wanted it to always have emotional depth or truth to it.

MC: In the first episodes, she's much more mysterious as a character. I would love to know more about writing Lucky in those early stages—what you choose to reveal, to obscure, and what you want the audience to think.

CP: One of the things that I really connected to was this idea of deep down underneath all the masks, she has no idea who she is—and I think that terrifies her. I think she spent her whole life reading the room. If she's talking to a mark, she's going to reflect back to the mark what they want to hear, what they think, and then she's going to con them. It's not until after she leaves the room that the person will realize, "Oh my gosh, I was just taken.” As long as she's living in that space of wearing a mask, she's been confident.

But as she comes of age and as she physically runs, I think there's something about the physical distance that gives her space to go, “Well, who the hell am I really? If I'm not doing this to people, I actually don't know who I am.”

MC: There's so much betrayal in this show. At some point, I thought I should stop being surprised by it.

CP: We did a lot of research in the early days of the writers' room about the art of the con. I'd never worked on a show that dealt with a con artist, so that was the piece of the show that I felt the most insecure about. I was like, “I can do the father-daughter thing, I'm all good on the character stuff, but I really want to dig deep on this world of con artists.” There was this book that we read called The Confidence Game, and that was really insightful. Con artists are apparently in a constant cycle of trust and betrayal. They gain your trust, they get what they want, then they betray you, and something in this book said that there might be a connection to that in your past as a child. You might be working out childhood trauma of experiences of trust and then betrayal, and not realizing it.

MC: As you said, Lucky was born and raised into this lifestyle and doesn't want to be part of it—but how do you feel that she fits into it? How do you view her moral framing within this?

CP: It lives in that space of nature versus nurture. Part of me is like, she's her father's daughter, so she's inherently born to be good at this stuff, but she might not want to use those skills. And then the choices that she makes throughout this seven-episode arc show her moral compass, her desire to be free, her desire to stop running. There's something beautiful about admitting that you don't know who you are, but that you are excited to figure that out, that you want to learn.

There are a lot of labels that women take on that really define who you are, or who you think you are. You're a mother, you're a daughter, you're a wife, you're a sister, you're a sibling—and if you remove each one of those labels and you untether yourself from them, well then who are you really? If you don't know the answer to that question, which I don't think Lucky does, then you get into that self-identity thing like, Who am I, and/or, Do I kind of maybe just want to be nobody? Do I just want to be free of all the masks and all the labels? I think she's fantasizing about “How can I get there, and what would that life look like?”

MC: Do you have a favorite scene or sequence?

CP: Episode 2 is one of my favorites when Lucky is hiding out in that ranch house in the desert, and the FBI agent is in the house. There's such simplicity to it. It's the opposite of an action sequence, and it is so tense, so edge-of-your-seat, and the acting from Aunjanue and Anya is so exquisite. What's interesting is once Aunjanue is in the house, there's not a lot of dialogue; it's just her crawling from one room to the other. It read well on the page, but then when we shot it, it got so much better.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Netflix's Little House on the Prairie revives Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic novels—and the hit 1970s drama—for a new generation. Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the new adaptation follows the Ingalls family as they set out to start a new life on the American frontier during the 1860s and 1870s. By the end of the delightful eight-episode season, released on July 19, Laura, her Pa Charles, her Ma Caroline, and her older sister Mary settle in Independence, Kansas, and make new friends—until a shocking revelation prompts the family to seek out a new home.

Thankfully for eager fans, the team behind Netflix's reimagining is already working on new episodes. Below, read on for what we know about Little House on the Prairie season 2 so far, including which book will inform the basis of the next installment.

Has 'Little House on the Prairie' been renewed for season 2?

Yes! Netflix confirmed Little House on the Prairie season 2 in early March, four months before the series' debut.

"We are delighted to renew this beautiful reimagining of Little House on the Prairie for a second season ahead of its Netflix debut." Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of US and Canada scripted series, said at the time. "The exceptional work by Rebecca Sonnenshine and the entire cast and crew on season 1 has established a rich foundation of storytelling for years to come. With its hopeful spirit and emotional authenticity, we’re confident that Little House will deliver even more of what fans truly love.

When will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 come out?

Though Netflix hasn't revealed when Little House on the Prairie season 2 will arrive, the show's journey to the next installment is already underway. According to Radio Times, season 2 began filming in early June in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is expected to continue through mid-October.

This filming schedule matches the production for season 1, which began in June 2025 and wrapped in October. That means there's a very good chance the series could return at the same time next year, in summer 2027.

Who in the cast will return for 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2?

Netflix has yet to confirm the season 2 cast, but Little House on the Prairie wouldn't be the same without the Ingalls family and their closest friend. That said, we're expecting Alice Halsey (Laura Ingalls), Luke Bracey (Charles Ingalls), Crosby Fitzgerald (Caroline Ingalls), Skywalker Hughes (Mary Ingalls), and Warren Christie (John Edwards) to return to lead season 2.

Unfortunately, since the Ingalls have left Independence, Kansas, behind, it's unlikely that the rest of season 1's cast will return. However, there's always the chance of cameos.

Who are the new cast members in 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2?

Get ready to meet some more beloved characters from Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. Deadline has confirmed three new actresses set to join Netflix's reimagining. The Runarounds star Willa Dunn has signed on to play Nellie Oleson, Laura Ingalls's childhood bully and the fan-favorite villain from the original 1970s TV adaptation. (Fans of the earlier show may have spotted the original Nellie actress, Alison Arngrim, had a cameo in the Netflix series.)

Per the outlet, Netflix's take on Nellie may be a more layered look at the character. Her description reads, "On the surface, Nellie (Dunn) is a world-class spoiled princess and a playground bully. Smart and supremely confident, sharp-tongued but easily wounded. Lives and breathes to make Laura Ingalls (Halsey) miserable. But beneath her mean-girl persona is tenderness and a yearning for true friendship—even if she doesn’t know exactly how to get it."

Meanwhile, Charlotte Sullivan has signed on to play Margaret Oleson, Nellie's mother. "Beautiful, high-energy, charming, unfiltered, fun and funny, with a quick wit and gallows humor, Margaret adores her daughter fiercely and completely, but also fears losing her love," her description reads.

And rounding out the new cast, Rachelle Lefevre is set to play Eva Beadle, the beloved town schoolteacher who instantly wins over Laura and Mary. The character is described as "open-minded, passionate, forthright and brave...well-educated, well-read, adventurous, generous of spirit, a world-traveler."

Which Laura Ingalls Wilder book will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 adapt?

Spoilers for Netflix's Little House on the Prairie season 1 finale ahead. By the end of season 1, the Ingalls family (plus new baby Carrie and an honorary Ingalls, John Edwards) has set off for a new adventure. Though they spent the season settling in Independence, Kansas, the family's forced to leave when the government orders them to pay for the land they'd been promised for free. At Mr. Edwards' suggestion, the group heads to a little town called Walnut Grove.

Walnut Grove—a real-life Minnesota town that boasts the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and the annual Wilder Pageant—is best known as the primary setting of the 1970s series. However, the Ingalls only spent one installment of the source book series in the town: the fourth entry, On the Banks of Plum Creek. We'll have to wait and see how long Netflix's adaptation will stay in Walnut Grove, but season 2's guaranteed to at least cover part of the novel.

The official description for On the Banks of Plum Creek reads: "The adventures of Laura Ingalls and her family continue as they leave their little house on the prairie and travel in their covered wagon to Minnesota. They settle into a house made of sod on the banks of beautiful Plum Creek. Soon Pa builds them a sturdier house, with real glass windows and a hinged door. Laura and Mary go to school, help with the chores around the house, and fish in the creek. Pa’s fiddle lulls them all to sleep at the end of the day. But then disaster strikes—on top of a terrible blizzard, a grasshopper infestation devours their wheat crop. Now the family must work harder than ever to overcome these challenges."

What will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 be about?

Though most of the plot details for season 2 are under wraps, creator Rebecca Sonnenshine has spoken out about the influences she wants to balance throughout her reimagining of Little House on the Prairie. Speaking with The Wrap, the Vampire Diaries and The Boys alum explained that she’s interested in depicting the books’ version of the Ingalls, who were more nomadic than shown in the '70s TV series.

“A part of my pitch was that we were going to follow the ebbs and flows of the books, and they are fairly nomadic for quite some time,” she told the outlet. “I missed that from the original show, which was an amazing show and everyone loved it, and it was very special. But it didn’t have the opportunity just because of the realities of television, and it didn’t have the opportunity to do this. And we do now.”

While that means leaving behind season 1’s supporting characters, Sonnenshine added that she’s “always going to look for a way to bring those characters back” if the story allows. “I hope that it runs for a long time so that we get the opportunity to organically do it...We’re trying to be faithful to historical truth and still look for ways to keep our characters alive, however we can.”

As for the future of the series, the showrunner also added that she would “love to do all the books and then look beyond [at Wilder’s] fascinating life.” She added, “When I think about Laura Ingalls Wilder, it’s kind of amazing that someone lived through times that started in covered wagons and no electricity, and lasted all the way into airplanes and the atomic bomb.”

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can stream now on Peacock. 25-year-old Sincere Rhea and 24-year-old Melanie Moreno were immediately drawn to each other when Love Island USA season 8 began, but their courtship has been full of ups and downs. Sincere’s actions have been put on blast by the girls in the villa, their families (including Sincere’s stepfather during Family Day), and a plethora of brands looking to capitalize on the social chatter. But despite it all, the couple made it to the finale, where they placed third.

As they leave the villa and adjust back to their regular lives, it's fair to wonder whether the dramatic couple plans to continue seeing one another. Read on for a breakdown of Sincere and Melanie's relationship—and whether they might still be together.

What happened between Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Former college athlete Sincere and bikini store manager Melanie were together from day one in the villa, but their time on Love Island USA was plagued with controversy. While both were fully allowed to explore the field (and they did, as Melanie chatted with Gabriel Vasconcelos, Corbin Mims, and KC Chandler, and Sincere with Sol Dean), it wasn’t until Sincere started lying to Melanie about his interactions with Sol (including kissing her outside of a challenge) that he became the de facto villain of the season. Still, Melanie kept giving him more chances, and before he left for Casa Amor, they were finally on somewhat solid ground.

If Casa Amor was a test, Sincere squeaked by with a passing grade. He happily connected with SCAD student Amora Robinson—also kissing her outside of challenges—but walked back into the villa solo, where Melanie was waiting for him. Their reunion was sweet but was quickly tested again during Movie Night, where Sincere’s two-timing was laid bare for everyone to see. Melanie cried and accused him of making her look like an idiot, and even the guys couldn’t justify Sincere’s actions.

To make matters worse, when their relatives arrived on Family Day, neither party was optimistic about their relationship. Sincere’s stepfather, Benjamin, expressed disappointment in Sincere’s actions, while Melanie’s mom and sister begged her to take off the rose-colored glasses. Melanie’s mom even asked her, “Why are you going to give him a second chance when there are so many others waiting for their first?” Sincere and Melanie were the only Love Island USA couple who had a negative Family Day experience and didn’t take a joyful group photo, which fans noticed was conspicuously absent from the Love Island USA Instagram carousel. Still, after some thought and discussion, Melanie decided to stay with Sincere and give him yet another chance.

Sincere and Melanie make it to the final four, and in the finale they are treated to their “first date.” They were whisked off to a floating island where Sincere gave Melanie a massage (after she won at rock-paper-scissors), and they made homemade pizza together. They seem to really enjoy each other’s company, but the test has always been whether Sincere can commit to Melanie without being tempted by his wandering eye. At the end of the date, they talk about having their second date in Philadelphia after leaving the villa.

By the end of the episode, Sincere and Melanie came in third in the Love Island USA finale, losing out on the $100K cash prize.

Are Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

Making it to the finale means they only just got their phones back and are likely overwhelmed by the amount of social chatter (and marketing copy) their relationship prompted—both good and bad. So far, neither Melanie nor Sincere has made any public comments about their relationship on social media or in any interviews. Melanie's only post so far has been a resharing of winner Trinity Tatum's Instagram Story calling out fan reactions towards Zach Georgiou. Sincere, meanwhile, has since only reposted a Reel of the moment he and Melanie were announced in third place on the official Love Island USA page.

For now, it seems like they’re committed to seeing if their relationship can work in the real world. And if we don’t hear anything prior, we can at least look forward to getting an update at the season 8 reunion on August 31.

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can watch now on Peacock. Even though 22-year-old Haitian-American Kayda Bosse entered the Love Island USA season 8 villa as a bombshell, she soon integrated into the cast and paired long-term with original villa member 26-year-old Greek-Brit Zach Georgiou. Their relationship weathered the storm of jealousy, snide comments, and heartbreaking moments—though they made it to the finale, where they placed fourth in the competition.

Given their tumultuous time in Fiji and their current journey transitioning back into their real lives, below we're breaking down Kayda and Zach's relationship—and whether they might still be together.

What happened between Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Server/model Kayda made waves as the first female bombshell to enter the villa in season 8, and she chose content creator Zach and model/DJ Bryce Dettloff as her first two love interests. Things quickly developed with her and Zach, and they mostly remained loyal to each other through the season, even though they didn’t label the relationship. They were the first couple sent to The Hideaway, but Zach’s jealousy and vindictive behavior (which you can read more about in our mid-season recap) constantly pushed Kayda’s (and the audience’s) limits.

During Casa Amor, Zach connected with USC film student Alannah Keyser, who had previously made out with his brother Charlie, a former Love Island contestant. (Weird!) He kissed her outside of a challenge, and a photo of the moment sent Kayda into a spiral during the forced separation. Alannah was soon removed from the series after a video of her using a racial slur resurfaced online, forcing Zach to go back to the villa alone. Thankfully for him, Kayda decided not to couple with her Casa connection, Chay Nehra, and she and Zach were reunited. But during Movie Night, Kayda discovered that Zach intentionally withheld information about Alannah’s departure and his subsequent solo arrival at the villa, and she rightfully calls it shady.

None of this is enough to break them up, and the couple soon decides to close their relationship off and make it “exclusive,” though they’re not yet boyfriend and girlfriend. Trinity calls it a “situationship,” which upsets Kayda, and she defends their slower pace. When their families arrive in Fiji for Family Day, both sides express support for their relationship: Kayda’s mom and sister notice that he makes her happy, and Zach’s siblings encourage him to tell her the depth of his feelings.

Kayda and Zach make it to the final four couples, and in the finale, they take a boat ride to a cozy waterfront dinner. While it’s billed as a romantic getaway, fans online noticed that their production budget was likely much smaller than that of other couples who received more elaborate dates, calling out Kayda and Zach's dinner as "prison sandwiches by a swamp." The pair came in fourth place during the finale, decided by America’s vote.

Are Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

Given the real-time nature of Love Island USA’s filming schedule, Kayda and Zach are just now reintegrating into their lives and haven’t publicly commented on their relationship status. However, season 8 winner Trinity Tatum posted to her Instagram Story, calling out fans' "hate and ignorant comments" towards Zach. Kayda reposted the story, but hasn't made any further comments.

Bombshell Jen Terry has also weighed in on their dynamic. In an appearance on SiriusXM's "Smith Sisters Live," after the finale, she admitted that she doesn't understand "the Zach hate" and reaffirmed his connection with Kayda. "Zach is obsessed with Kayda. I’m not kidding. He is obsessed with her," she said. "Always touching her, always hanging out, laughing together. They’re like little kids together, honestly. That’s why I’m confused. I’m lost. I’m like, ‘What are the fans seeing that I was literally there and not seeing?’ Because they do seem to really like each other."

The couple came in fourth in voting, and while they didn’t necessarily label their relationship by the end of the season, Zach did admit that he was getting closer to saying “those three words” to Kayda (though nothing was said about officially becoming boyfriend and girlfriend). He also promised that he’d follow her anywhere in the world to see their connection through—he currently lives between the U.K. and Australia, while she is based in New Hampshire. So, only time will tell about how well they manage long-distance.

Hopefully we’ll get an update as they acclimate to using their phones again, but if nothing else, we’ll look forward to a check-in on August 31 when the season 8 reunion airs.

Love Island USA season 8 has officially wrapped, concluding six weeks’ worth of chats, challenges, and not-so-covert communal bedroom hookups. It felt like everyone was glued to their screens this season; after all, it shattered viewership numbers, increasing 68 percent from season 7. The reality TV hit even reached new heights beyond the villa and Peacock: Host Ariana Madix even earned the show’s first Emmy nomination for reality television host.

But if you need to fill the Love Island USA-shaped hole in your heart—and to wean yourself off the steady IV drip that an episode a day provides—we’ve curated a list of reality TV-inspired books.

Over the last decade, reality TV novels have essentially become their own subgenre, with a slew of books inspired by dating shows like The Bachelor and Love Island, slice-of-life Bravo staples like The Real Housewives, and competition series all hitting shelves and building on the phenomenon. Below, find the fiction reads you need to add to your TBR list, especially if you need to unplug a bit but always have an appetite for ample drama. Pick up a prescient 1980s Stephen King thriller, a mystery send-up of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and more. We promise they’re just as binge-able.

After six dramatic, divisive, discourse-filled weeks, Love Island USA season 8 came to an end with the loved-up July 12 finale. Or rather, it came to a pause. Moments after host (and Emmy nominee) Ariana Madix announced this year's winners, she revealed that season 8's Islanders will return for a reunion special that surely everyone will be talking about.

Last year, the reality TV phenomenon held its first reunion co-hosted by both Madix and Andy Cohen, who's known for drilling Bravolebrities and The Traitors alums on their respective reunions. When they gather the season 8 stars, you can bet they'll lead discussions about their time in the villa, any lingering issues, and their relationship statuses after a month out in the real world.

Below, we've gathered everything we know about the Love Island USA season 8 reunion so far. (You can watch all episodes of Love Island USA by subscribing to Peacock.)

Everything We Know About the 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Reunion

When does the 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion air?

Love Island USA's season 8 reunion will be released on Peacock on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The special has become typical programming for the series ever since its 2024 breakout season. (Love Island USA season 4 marked its first-ever reunion, but it skipped season 5 before resuming with the following.)

Per Andy Cohen and Peacock, the reunion filmed all day on Monday, August 10, in L.A. After kicking off with an arrival red carpet on August 9, this year's taping will be the first to take place in front of a studio audience in LIUSA history.

According to Peacock, season 8 continued Love Island USA's upward trajectory. New viewers made up 30 percent of the reality hit's audience over its first five weeks, and the show has brought over 4 billion video views across the streamer's social channels.

Who will host the 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion?

Andy Cohen is set to join Ariana Madix to host the Love Island USA season 8 reunion. This will be the second year featuring the co-hosts after they led the emotional season 7 reunion.

As reported by Deadline, "Madix and Cohen will reunite with the season’s winners, fan-favorite couples, and the bombshells to talk about their experience in the Fiji villa."

Which cast members will attend the 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion?

Thanks to the reunion's red-carpet kickoff, fans now have confirmation of which season 8 Islanders will appear in this month's special. Each of the season's final seven couples will be in attendance, including winners Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff, Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou, KC Chandler and Tierra Davis, Kenzie Annis and Dylan Wrona, and Parmida Keshani and Corbin Mims.

Other standouts on the carpet included former Islanders Jen Terry, Sol Dean, Beatriz Hatz, Caleb McDaniel, Gabriel Vasconcelos, and Sean Reifel; Casa Girls Amora Robinson, Jaiden Bacciocco, and Sydney Eugene; and Casa Boys Chay Nehra, Ronnie Gunter, Corey Sawyer Jr., and Gal Tshnieder. Even four of the men who weren't selected for Casa—Chandlar Wilson, Tino Ellis, Keyon Harry, and Trae Taylor—walked the carpet.

One particular Islander seems to have been left off the guest list. Casa Amor addition Alannah Keyser left season 8 after just three days on the show, due to a resurfaced recording in which she used a racist slur. These exits have unfortunately become a common occurrence on the show; last year, both Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar were pulled due to past use of slurs, and Vasana Montgomery was removed from season 8's original lineup before it premiered.

Will there be a 'Love Island USA' season 9?

Short answer: Duh. Love Island USA season 9 has yet to be officially confirmed, but there's little chance that Peacock won't renew America's biggest dating show. The streamer didn't even announce season 8 until mid-March earlier this year, so impatient fans will have to trust that casting and prep are happening behind the scenes. (The official application for season 9 is already live.)

In early June, The Sun U.S. reported that Peacock executives were focused on tightening the casting process after Vasana Montgomery's exit from the show. A source highlighted the difficulty of vetting today "given all the different technologies and social medias that have been in and out over the years." (Both Vasana's and Alannah Keyser's scandals stemmed from resurfaced Snapchat videos.)

"The network is actively looking into ways to better vet contestants that give a more thorough scan of their social media profiles," the insider added. "They are looking into AI options that will help dissect a potential contestant’s entire digital footprint and ensure that these slip-ups do not happen in the future. Precautionary measures are underway and there will be a change, an improvement, to the vetting process next season."

Will there be a 'Beyond the Villa' season 3?

Peacock has also confirmed that the season 8 Islanders will return to our screens beyond the upcoming reunion. On the night of season 8's finale, the streamer revealed that Beyond the Villa, the spinoff that follows previous Islanders' lives outside of the show, has been renewed for a third season.

According to Deadline, "the cast for the series will be confirmed later this year, with season 3 set to premiere in 2027."

Spoilers for Love Island USA season 8 ahead. The road to KC Chandler and Tierra “Titi” Davis' relationship on Love Island USA season 8 was bumpy, to say the least. After meeting in Casa Amor and being immediately drawn to each other, the pair faced KC’s ex, Aniya Harvey, feeling hurt, the OG Islanders going to bat for her, and public perception of how KC handled the situation. But after he and Aniya finally hashed things out, KC and Titi’s relationship blossomed, and they even made things official with a romantic gesture.

The pair didn't make it to the finale, however. But since they were booted from the villa on Day 30, fans have been curious whether they're making it work without the 24/7 cameras. Read on for a breakdown of KC and Tierra's relationship—and whether they might still be together.

What happened between KC Chandler and Tierra "Titi" Davis on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

The Casa Amor episodes of Love Island always promise to shake up the villa's status quo, and season 8 wasn’t any different. 23-year-old nursing assistant KC entered Casa Amor coupled with 23-year-old non-profit marketing director Aniya, but had been vocal about his desire to explore other connections if the opportunity arose. Aniya wasn’t happy about this, so she was especially disappointed when her hopes of remaining coupled with KC were dashed when he returned to the villa hand-in-hand with Titi.

KC entered Casa Amor fresh off an argument with Aniya about his interest in bombshell Sol—so when the opportunity to woo a group of fresh faces presented itself, he didn’t waste any time. He immediately found chemistry with 25-year-old L.A.-based model Titi and decided to couple with her, bringing her back to the villa. Titi initially clashed with the other girls, who were all Team Aniya, but as her and KC’s relationship blossomed (and Aniya and her Casa Amor connection, Carl Schmidt, were reunited), friendships formed between Titi and the other girls.

Late in the season, KC planned a romantic moment to officially ask Titi to be his girlfriend, which she gleefully accepted, noting it was her first official relationship. During family day, both families expressed support for their relationship and commented on how happy they seemed to be together. Then, on the July 10th episode, KC and Tierra were dumped from the villa after they were one of the two couples who received the lowest number of votes from America.

Are KC Chandler and Tierra "Titi" Davis from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

In the final After Sun, KC and Titi appeared on the talk show couch to dish about their time in the villa. Holding hands as they spoke, the couple was very much still together and spoke about their excitement about taking their relationship into the real world. At one point, Titi said, "I definitely know this is not the end of our story...this is only the beginning."

Since then, the two have been relatively quiet about the next steps they're taking and have yet to make any public appearances together. However, while weighing in online about the alleged drama in the villa, Titi also thanked fans for showing love to her and KC. On a July 12th Instagram Story, she wrote, "Thank you to everyone who’s supported me and KC. I appreciate y’all who shown me love. I appreciate y’all more than you know."

So, it's safe to assume that they’re committed to testing their connection beyond Fiji!

For the past six weeks, Love Island USA has been a litmus test of the American public’s views on lustfulness and compatibility. This is a defining factor of dating shows, but the Peacock series’ record-breaking growth since season 6 has made its discourse inescapable. With season 8, however, a new bombshell is changing the course of the country’s biggest reality show: The manosphere has taken over Love Island USA, and it’s ruining the experience for longtime watchers who tune in to see, well, love.

LIUSA is the latest escapist reality hit that the mainstreaming of radical conservatism has altered in recent years. In both seasons 7 and 8, the younger cast members—who spent their late teens living through the COVID-19 pandemic—have reflected the talking points of the manosphere, the network of internet communities centered on toxic masculinity, gender essentialism, and opposition to feminism. Men who spent their formative years online at a time when social media algorithms amplified this content have adopted its views: that women should be “soft” and subservient to men, that men are entitled to their romantic interests’ bodies, and that women who challenge men should be humbled. Hegemonic masculinity and misogyny have since become systemic bugs in American dating culture—and now defining features among some of the men in season 8’s core cast, to the point where viewers wondered whether they even like their partners.

Most of season 8’s men have spent their time in the villa exhibiting manipulative dating behaviors, putting minimal effort into cultivating relationships, bonding over belittling and disrespecting the female Islanders, and resenting the women for harming their egos. Since the first episodes, KC Chandler and Corbin Mims have been dubbed red-pill poster boys for disparaging women who wouldn’t get intimate with them. Zach Georgiou, who has been coupled up with Kayda Bosse since episode 2, has become notorious for his criticisms of the female cast, his dismissive attitude towards Kayda, and his constant backtracking after showing emotional attachment (i.e., telling her he was “joking” when he said “I love you” in bed). Also, while Sincere Rhea has been shown compassion and understanding by his costars for exploring connections behind Melanie Moreno’s back, Kenzie Annis hasn’t received nearly as much goodwill.

It doesn’t help that the men have arguably been positioned with challenges and recouplings in their favor. Corbin received the unilateral choice to couple up with someone ahead of the girls’ choice recoupling in episode 5; he also chose whether to save Melanie or Beatriz Hatz in episode 9. (In the same dumping in season 7, all of the safe Islanders voted for whom to save.)

What was subtle red-pill influence became overt in season 8’s cruelest moment, when the Heart Rate challenge was revealed to be the start of Casa Amor. With this year's Casa twist being that the women were subjected to watching a livestream of the men meeting the new Bombshells—with the Casa men’s arrival delayed to the following day—some viewers argued the shameless behavior they witnessed was the push the girls needed to explore. Really, though, it served as a microcosm of the season: The men got to have their cake and eat it too, while the women were emotionally tortured for the sake of their growth.

The manosphere isn’t just influencing Love Island USA from within the villa; it’s also infecting the fandom through a new subset of viewers: the KC Defenders. KC was an early fan favorite this year for his meme-worthy reactions and admiration of dark-skinned women, and he spent the first three weeks of the show—a long-term relationship in the villa—coupled up with Aniya Harvey. But once bombshell Sol Dean entered the villa, discerning fans (and Aniya herself) began to see hints that he was sticking with her as a safe choice rather than pursuing Sol and facing possible rejection. KC eventually left Aniya for Tierra “Titi” Davis, a Casa girl who unabashedly pursued him and wasn’t a “grandma” in bed, as he’d called Aniya. The game plan of playing it safe with someone you’re lukewarm towards until someone comes along who you’re really interested in isn’t new. But KC’s blatant disrespect toward Aniya for not fitting into Titi’s “down for her man” mold inspired both extreme hate from some fans and extreme love from others.

While some of KC Defenders point to his natural chemistry with Titi, their “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” arc, and a celebration of Black Love, the vocal majority of KC love stems from a hatred of Aniya. The tall former volleyball player and daughter of a former NBA star, Aniya has faced unnecessary hate throughout season 8, from criticizing her naturally textured wigs, calling her too insecure based on her (eventually validated) concerns about KC, to accusing Carl Schmidt of faking his interest in her because she’s a fan-favorite among female viewers. Even though KC himself owned up to disrespecting and resenting Aniya during their apology in episode 26, his defenders will swear up and down that his comments weren’t disrespectful in context, while also calling Aniya hypocritical for speaking badly about him in response to his actions.

What's more? Fan interaction has expanded beyond the show's voting process, Reddit, X, and Threads to perhaps the fastest-rising red-pilled spaces online: prediction markets. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket primarily appeal to fans of male-dominated subcultures, such as sports betting and crypto, and directly tie in to the get-rich-quick schemes popular in the manosphere. They’re also easily manipulated, with reports of users getting rich off insider information and rigging real-life situations to match their bets. As legalized gambling and prediction markets have surged in the past two years, competitive reality television has become a popular target. This year, Kalshi and Polymarket launched new Love Island markets, even promoting them through social media ads and collaborations, in hopes of attracting more women to their male-dominated user bases. While the viewership numbers of the rumored influx of straight men who watch LIUSA haven't been disclosed, fans have noticed an increase of online sports fans (who call themselves “KC FC,” as in football club) putting money on KC and Titi making it to the finale, sharing voting campaign threads, and lamenting Kalshi screenshots predicting that KC and Titi won’t make the final four couples. It’s no coincidence that the men who are crossing over from these spaces into Love Island USA are rallying behind a man whose arc has centered on misogyny. Nor is it a surprise that this is turning off female viewers.

The easiest way to dominate the attention economy is through outrage, and reality TV has this down to a science. Producers know how to contrive divisive storylines so their shows will ride the waves of online discourse to pop culture ubiquity. Though shows like Love Island USA and Love Is Blind have seemingly used this strategy to become too big to fail, we also know that outrage isn’t sustainable. Core fans are alienated, potential cast members get cautious, and viewers eventually succumb to either fatigue or boredom. This installment of Love Island has spurred a new kind of bleakness, beyond the typical angst and heartbreak of dating, to a fatalistic musing on whether this season’s men even really like the women. When the love disappears from Love Island and only misogyny remains, who will keep watching once the twists aren’t hitting and money can’t be made?

Nearly a century after Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book in her Little House on the Prairie series, the novels are still massively adored and still reaching new audiences—thanks, most recently, to Netflix’s TV series adaptation, which debuted on July 9. There’s just something so timeless about the books, which were previously made into a still-beloved NBC show in the ’70s and ’80s, an early-aughts ABC miniseries and a 2008 stage musical, among several other adaptations.

For those who haven't perused a Little House novel since third grade but are diving headfirst into the new Netflix show, the series chronicles the semi-fictionalized lives of the Ingalls family in the Midwest U.S. throughout the late 1800s, starring a young Laura alongside her parents and siblings. Wilder published most of the series in the 1930s and ’40s, with a final book arriving posthumously in 1971.

If you’re planning to revisit the novels—or introduce them to a new generation—after bingeing the Netflix adaptation, look no further for a comprehensive guide to the entire Little House series. And a reminder as you dive in through 2026 eyes that while Wilder’s work has long been widely lauded and critically acclaimed, it’s very much a product of its time: You’ll want to be aware that it heavily perpetuates the American frontier myth and therefore includes problematic portrayals of Indigenous people (an aspect of the series that Netflix has sought to correct).

Book 1 — 'Little House in the Big Woods'

The first book in Ingalls Wilder’s best-selling series starts in 1871, with 4-year-old Laura living in a log cabin in Wisconsin with her parents and two sisters. It introduces readers to life on the homestead through about a year’s worth of chores and celebrations, detailing wintertime maple syrup harvesting, the birth of a calf, and everyday tasks around the house and farm, with many days capped off with Pa playing the fiddle for his daughters.

Book 2 — 'Farmer Boy'

Wilder detoured from her own history in Book 2 to focus on her husband’s upbringing instead. In Farmer Boy, a young Almanzo Wilder grows up in upstate New York in the 1860s, joining his siblings in the seemingly unending work of running a farm—only occasionally interrupted by exciting visits from a tin peddler or a traveling fair.

Book 3 — 'Little House on the Prairie'

We return to the Ingalls family in the series’ third book, just in time for their big move from Wisconsin to the prairies of Kansas in the mid-1870s. For several months, they get to work building a new house and starting a farm on territory belonging to the Osage Nation, grappling along the way with malaria and ongoing conflicts with Indigenous groups—only to eventually accept that they’ve illegally settled on the land and must move along.

Book 4 — 'On the Banks of Plum Creek'

The Ingalls family piles back into their covered wagon and heads north, ultimately stopping to make a new home in Minnesota. There, Laura and her sisters attend a real school for the first time and must remain resilient as they face challenges to their way of life, including fires, blizzards, crop-destroying grasshopper swarms, and, worst of all, a mean girl at school named Nellie.

Book 5 — 'By the Shores of Silver Lake'

Ready to leave behind the many troubles they encountered in Minnesota—and following a bout of scarlet fever that left Laura’s older sister Mary blind—the growing Ingalls crew heads west, into what was then the unsettled Dakota Territory. There, Pa takes a job on a railroad and claims a permanent homestead in the area. In the meantime, Laura and her sisters enjoy a respite from many of the most difficult parts of frontier life: swapping their covered wagon for train travel, cozying up in a comfortable home for the winter, and raking in earnings from catering to the many pioneers passing through their town.

Book 6 — 'The Long Winter'

Alas, those happy early days in South Dakota weren’t to last. As suggested by the title, The Long Winter details the particularly devastating winter of 1880 and 1881, when Laura was 13. A shocking seven months of continuous blizzards leave many in the Ingalls’ town snowed into their homes and stop supply trains from delivering needed food and fuel. However, a bright spot for Laura: Here, she first crosses paths with her future husband, as Almanzo and a friend risk their lives to deliver wheat to her town.

Book 7 — 'Little Town on the Prairie'

Things are on the upswing for Laura after making it through that horrible winter—despite the onslaught of classic teenage angst and the arrival of her old nemesis Nellie in town. She’s fielding invitations to socials, parties, and literary society meetings, plus a request from Almanzo to start walking her home from church every week(!). She also begins working toward earning her teaching certificate and makes a point of contributing everything she can to Mary’s tuition at a college for the blind in Iowa.

Book 8 — 'These Happy Golden Years'

Originally the final book in Wilder’s Little House series, this eighth novel encompasses Laura’s late teens, as she takes a job at a nearby school and truly comes into her own as a self-sufficient young adult. There’s also, of course, her continued courtship with Almanzo, which culminates at the end of the book with his proposal and their sweet, simple wedding.

Book 9 — 'The First Four Years'

More than a decade after Wilder’s 1957 death, her daughter Rose’s designated heir, Roger MacBride, discovered a first draft of The First Four Years among Rose’s belongings and published it as-is. It wraps up Laura’s coming-of-age story by documenting the first years of her marriage to Almanzo, as they begin making their own way as a young pioneer family, with all the trials and tribulations that entails, from illnesses to fires to tragic deaths.

Did Laura Ingalls Wilder write anything else?

Indeed, she did, though all of the nonfiction variety. Amid the many collections of newspaper columns, letters, poems, and other writings published since Wilder’s death, several stand out. The first, in 1962, was On the Way Home, detailing her, Almanzo, and Rose’s move from South Dakota to Missouri in 1894. It was followed in 1974 by West From Home, comprising a series of letters Wilder wrote to her husband during a 1915 visit to Rose in San Francisco.

Those books were combined into A Little House Traveler in 2006, along with The Road Back, a previously unpublished diary that Wilder kept while returning to South Dakota with Almanzo in the 1930s to visit her family and gather information for her Little House series.

Are there any other books in the 'Little House' universe?

So many. Several authors have taken on the task of expanding the Little House-iverse, including the aforementioned MacBride, heir and “political disciple” to Wilder’s daughter Rose. He published eight books in the 1990s about her life, known as “The Rose Years.”

There are also “The Martha Years,” a four-book series about Laura’s great-grandmother by Melissa Wiley; “The Charlotte Years,” another tetralogy from Wiley, this one describing the life of Laura’s grandmother; and “The Caroline Years,” seven novels about Laura’s mother, with the first four written by Maria D. Wilkes and the final three by Celia Wilkins.

Wilkes also published two dozen chapter books simplifying several of the longer novels’ stories about Caroline, Laura, and Rose. And even younger readers can get in on the Little House fun with the countless picture books, board books, and other pre-reader versions of the stories that have hit shelves over the years.

Elsewhere, in an attempt to fill in some blanks between On the Banks of Plum Creek and By the Shores of Silver Lake, prolific children’s author Cynthia Rylant published Old Town in the Green Groves in 2002, based on some of Wilder’s notes and historical records. Meanwhile, between 2007 and 2012, Heather Williams and Elizabeth Cody Kimmel filled in a few more gaps, releasing a trio of books telling the stories of Nellie, Mary, and Almanzo.

Less canonical is the Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder series, which comprises eight books written by Thomas L. Tedrow in 1992. Though they feature Laura, Almanzo, and Rose in their Missouri home, the books aren’t explicitly based on Wilder’s actual life or writings, but instead imagine how she might have responded to many of the most pressing issues of the early 1900s.

Nearly a century after the source novel's debut, Netflix's Little House on the Prairie offers a new take on an essential piece of American pop culture. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's autobiographical book series, the new show follows a young family in 1860s and 1870s America, as they settle in the burgeoning frontier town of Independence, Kansas. Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the new series introduces a new generation to the pioneer family, while also expanding the story to include Black homesteaders and members of the Indigenous Osage tribe.

To bring the Ingalls family and co. into the 21st century, Netflix recruited a cast of rising actors. Read on to meet the actors bringing Little House on the Prairie back to life.

Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls

Laura, who is eight at the start of the Netflix series, is a bright, fearless, observant child who enjoys playing in the outdoors much more than ladylike hobbies. Though her questioning nature can rub some adults the wrong way, she mostly makes friends everywhere she goes (including her loyal dog, Jack).

11-year-old actress Alice Halsey made her television debut as the intelligent daughter of Elizabeth Zott (played by Brie Larson) in Apple TV's adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry. Since then, the child actress has starred as Rachel Black in the soap opera Days of Our Lives and voiced twin sisters in the Disney Junior cartoon Kindergarten: The Musical.

Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls

Pa Ingalls, Laura's handsome father, is many things: a farmer, a poet, an optimist, a romantic, and a devoted family man. He's also determined to lead his family to a better future, despite the danger.

Luke Bracey, 37, is an Australian actor and Home and Away alum who made his big-screen debut starring alongside Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester in 2011's Monte Carlo. He has since appeared in movies like 2015's Point Break, 2016's Hacksaw Ridge, 2020's Holidate, and 2022's Elvis, as well as the Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere. (Though he doesn't speak publicly about his romantic life, Bracey has been linked to both Gomez and Eiza Gonzalez.)

Luke Bracey's Instagram: @lukebracey

Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls

While Pa is an idealist, Caroline, or Ma, is the patient, practical backbone of the family. Her playful side comes out with Charles, but often she has to be the strict parent. A former teacher who quit to raise her children, she's also determined that her girls will receive an education.

Crosby Fitzgerald, 36, is a Georgia-born actress and comedian who got her start in TV with guest spots on comedy shows like Awkwafina is Nora from Queens and Abbott Elementary. Before her first lead role in Little House, she had recurring roles as Sylvia in Apple TV's Palm Royale and Madison in The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.

Crosby Fitzgerald's Instagram: @crosberryfitz

Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls

Laura's older sister Mary is her opposite in every way: studious, ladylike, obedient, and a responsible rule-follower who doesn't love the outdoors. Though they often butt heads, the sisters are each other's best friends and always have each other's backs.

14-year-old actress Skywalker Hughes grew up in Toronto and made her acting debut playing daughter Sheridan Pickett in the Paramount+ crime drama Joe Pickett. Since then, she has also appeared in the Nickelodeon show Blues Clues & You! and the 2026 sci-fi film In the Blink of an Eye.

Warren Christie as John Edwards

John Edwards, a mysterious settler and Civil War veteran hailing from Tennessee, befriends the Ingalls family when they settle near Independence. Per Tudum, he's in a dark place when he meets them; his friendship with family eventually inspires him to heal.

British-Canadian actor Warren Christie, 50, plays the fan-favorite character in the Netflix series. The prolific TV actor has appeared in shows including The L Word, October Road, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, Chicago Fire, The Resident, and Batwoman. He has also recently starred in multiple Hallmark holiday movies. (Christie and his wife, actress Sonya Salomaa, have been married since 2007.)

Warren Christie's Instagram: @thewarrenchristie

Jocko Sims as Dr. George Tann

Dr. George Tann, a kindhearted doctor who lives in Independence, is based on the real-life man who treated the Ingalls family's malaria around 1870. Though the character appeared in only one chapter of Ingalls Wilder's books, the Netflix series fleshed out Dr. Tann by researching the physician's history.

Jocko Sims, 45, is a Houston native best known for his main and recurring roles in series such as Crash, Masters of Sex, The Last Ship, How to Die Alone, and Grosse Pointe Garden Society. He has also played doctors on medical dramas like The Resident and New Amsterdam.

Jocko Sims's Instagram: @jockosims

Barrett Doss as Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson runs her family's general store on her own and is great at dealing with people. A lot happens with Emily in season 1; in addition to befriending Caroline, she takes an orphan named Caleb (Kowen Cadorath) and begins a romance with Dr. Tann.

Barrett Doss, 37, was born in Minneapolis and began her career acting off-Broadway before making her TV debut in an episode of 30 Rock. She has divided her career between Broadway and television, with appearances on shows like Person of Interest, Girls, and Iron Fist. She also played Vic Hughes across several seasons of Station 19 and Grey's Anatomy.

Barrett Doss's Instagram: @dontgo_jasonwaterfalls

Meegwun Fairbrother as William Mitchell

William Mitchell is a successful, mixed-blood Osage farmer who has the largest homestead in the county. Per Tudum, he, his wife, White Sun (Alyssa Wapanatâhk), and their daughter, Good Eagle (Wren Zhawenim Gotts), are meant to mirror the Ingalls, with their undying love despite disagreements.

Meegwun Fairbrother is an actor of Ojibwe and Scottish heritage who was among the first Indigenous students to graduate from York University's acting conservatory. The film, TV, and stage actor is best known for his roles in shows like SYFY's Helix, CBC's Mohawk Girls and Burden of Truth, and Paramount+'s Skymed. Most recently, he appeared in the final season of Outlander and played Avatar Kuruk in Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Meegwun Fairbrother's Instagram: @meegwun_fairbrother

Netflix's Better Late Than Single returned this summer to bring another dose of fresh air into TV's dating show landscape. The Korean reality show debuted last year, with a refreshing concept centered on the 모태솔로 (which the show translates as an "eternal single"). Cast members in search of their first love story underwent makeovers ranging from wardrobe overhauls to communication coaching, before arriving at the "Solo Village" on Korea's Jeju Island. There, dates and challenges pushed them out of their comfort zones, resulting in clumsy-yet-earnest attempts at finding connections. (Like in Single's Inferno, their ages and professions are kept secret.)

Now, Better Late Than Single is back, with hosts Seo In-guk, Kang Han-na, Lee Eun-ji, and Car, the Garden returning. For the show's highly anticipated sophomore season, producers chose several earnest singles to watch after more than 17,000 people applied. Debuting on July 7, season 2's cohort skews older than the average dating show, with singles in their late 20s and early 30s ranging from workaholics ready to prioritize love over career to fangirls ready to swoon IRL to shy homebodies working through their social anxiety.

Now that season 2 has wrapped up with the July 28 finale (and the August 1 reunion), read on to meet the cast of Better Late Than Single season 2, from their MBTI and what they're looking for in a relationship to whether they're still single after the show. Spoilers for the Better Late Than Single season 2 finale ahead.

Who are the singles on 'Better Late Than Single' season 2?

Ahn Seung-hyun

Age: 30

MBTI: ISFP

Hobby: Hiking

Ahn Seung-hyun applied for the show after watching season 1 with a friend. He says that he feels he's falling behind because his friends are getting married. He also tends to ramble and trip over his words when nervous, so he works with a communication coach before entering the Solo Village.

Is Seung-hyun Still Single? Yes, Seung-hyun left the retreat alone.

Seung-hyun's Instagram: @2_a_s_h_2

An Jeong-eun

Age: 30

MBTI: INFP

Hobby: Watching movies and documentaries

Other dating shows have previously recruited An Jeong-eun, but she chose Better Late Than Single after her family watched season 1. Since she was picked on as a kid, she expects to be judged by new people and struggles to make connections. She says that she does not want to run away, and instead hopes to be truthful and give this experience her full effort.

Is Jeong-eun Still Single? Yes, Jeong-eun left the retreat alone.

Jeong-eun's Instagram: @_stability._.is_._

Choi Hyuk-joon

Age: 31

MBTI: INTJ

Hobby: Hiking, watching movies, and visiting cafés

Choi Hyuk-joon admits that he may be over-cautious about dating, after having his heart broken by an unrequited first love in college. His makeover consists of meeting with a dating coach, who encourages Hyuk-joon to be more proactive and drop the "dismissive-avoidant mask" he uses as a defense mechanism. Hyuk-joon also undergoes voice training to make his voice a bit deeper.

Is Hyuk-joon Still Single? Yes. Though Hyuk-joon left the retreat with Hyun-seo, they later decided to stay friends.

Hyuk-joon's Instagram: @hyukgoodjob

Choi Hyun-seo

Age: 27

MBTI: INTJ

Hobby: Reading, gaming, and watching anime

Choi Hyun-seo describes herself as a major otaku (an anime and manga fan); her favorite character is Toushirou Hijikata from Gintama. Since she went to arts school, she says she hasn't had a chance to meet men in real life, but she became interested in dating in her mid-20s after meeting a man who resembled one of her favorite characters. But she also says that guys don't tend to like her mellow, low-energy personality, and that guys have considered her a dongsaeng, or little sibling. She describes her "ideal 2D man" as someone with dark hair, cat-like eyes, and a serious personality.

Is Hyun-seo Still Single? Yes. Though Hyun-seo left the retreat with Hyuk-joon, they later decided to stay friends.

Hyun-seo's Instagram: @ee.at.night

Han Su-ji

Age: 26

MBTI: INTP

Hobby: Collecting merch and ballet

Han Su-ji is a potter who studied illustration overseas. Growing up between the U.K. and Korea, she learned to be independent early and now has a solitary job. She admits that she can seem unapproachable, but she's determined to leave the Solo Village with a boyfriend.

Is Su-ji Still Single? Yes, Su-ji left the retreat alone.

Su-ji's Instagram: @0x8007016a

Jeon Seo-yoon

Age: 29

MBTI: INTJ

Hobby: Fangirling

Jeon Seo-yoon is a longtime fan of the K-pop boy group NCT DREAM. (Her bias is Jisung.) She says that she applied for the show because she has to start thinking about marriage as she approaches her 30s. Though she's nervous, she remarks that "the fangirl muscle and the dating muscle are essentially the same." Her goal is to find a boyfriend to bring to her faves' next concert.

Is Seo-yoon Still Single? Yes, Seo-yoon left the retreat alone.

Seo-yoon's Instagram: @afterdreamee

Kim Jae-seo

Age: 32

MBTI: ENTJ

Hobby: Playing games

Kim Jae-seo is a game developer and KAIST graduate who was part of the founding team of the globally popular game PUBG: Battlegrounds. He admits that he essentially lived at work for eight or nine years, which "pulled [him] away from dating."

Before the show, he says he stood out for his gray facial hair, which he thinks made people assume he wasn't interested in dating. After his makeover, which included dying his hair black and waxing his beard, the hosts noted his resemblance to Jeon Hyun-moo. (He also says his ideal type is actress Park Bo-young.)

Is Jae-seo Still Single? Yes, Jae-seo left the retreat alone.

Kim Soo-hyun

Age: 28

MBTI: ESTJ

Hobby: Watching K-dramas

Kim Soo-hyun is at the age where her family is pestering her about dating and marriage. (Her mother even briefly hijacked her call with the producers.) Though her mother and sisters are quite nosy, Soo-hyun is confident that she'll be able to meet someone through the show.

Is Soo-hyun Still Single? Yes, Soo-hyun left the retreat alone.

Soo-hyun's Instagram: @soowoo_h

Kim Tae-hoon

Age: 29

MBTI: INTJ

Hobby: Cooking and playing soccer

Kim Tae-hoon dated someone in middle school, but his friends say it doesn't count towards his dating history. He also got a bad reputation for speaking with no filter and often arguing with girls in high school. As a game changer, he promises to "stir the pot with all my might."

Is Tae-hoon Still Single? Yes, Tae-hoon left the retreat alone.

Tae-hoon's Instagram: @hunitae_k

Lee Han-ju

Age: 27

MBTI: ISTP

Hobby: Concerts and baseball games

Lee Han-ju is a Korean medical doctor who uses acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Chuna Manual Therapy. She passed on applying to Better Late Than Single season 1, but she changed her mind after a year of failed blind dates and group dates. Though she enjoys drinking with friends, she admits that she has been rejected before due to her bluntness, such as a time she called a date a "man-whore" after he kept trying to brush her hair back. She also says that she's into pretty boys who look like K-pop idols, with a slight bad-boy edge.

Is Han-ju Still Single? Yes. Though Han-ju left the retreat with Jin-woo, they later decided to stay friends.

Han-ju's Instagram: @haanzzu

Lee Jin-woo

Age: 26

MBTI: ISTP

Hobby: Exercising

Lee Jin-woo isn't technically an eternal single. He met someone on an anonymous chat app during COVID; they dated for about a year but never met in person. After a weight-loss journey, he's confident about entering the dating world IRL.

Is Jin-woo Still Single? Yes. Though Jin-woo left the retreat with Han-ju, they later decided to stay friends.

Jin-woo's Instagram: @ejinu_00

Yoon Jung-yun

Age: 26

MBTI: ISFP

Hobby: Games (League of Legends) and piano

Yoon Jung-yun is a shy homebody who'd never even been on a blind or group date before the show. He admits that he has trouble maintaining eye contact with strangers and that his hyperhidrosis makes his palms sweat. His makeover consisted of several mock blind dates in which he worked through his nerves.

Is Jung-yun Still Single? Yes, Jung-yun left the retreat alone.

Jung-yun's Instagram: @jungyun_00

Who are the hosts on 'Better Late Than Single' season 2?

Seo In-guk

Seo In-guk is a familiar face to Netflix K-drama fans; earlier this year, he co-starred with BLACKPINK's Jisoo in the hit rom-com Boyfriend on Demand. The 38-year-old actor and singer-songwriter is best known for his roles in shows like Reply 1997, The Master's Sun, Hello Monster, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Doom at Your Service, Café Minamdang, and Death's Game. He's also currently starring in Prime Video's workplace rom-com See You at Work Tomorrow!.

Seo In-guk's Instagram: @seo_cccc

Lee Eun-ji

Lee Eun-ji, 33, is a former dance sports athlete turned comedian and entertainer. She's best known as a main cast member in producer Na Young-seok's popular variety show Earth Arcade, alongside rapper Lee Young-ji, OH MY GIRL member Mimi, and IVE member An Yu-jin. In 2023, Lee was one of Korea's most in-demand entertainers, taking home the Best Female Variety Entertainer award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Lee Eun-ji's Instagram: @happy._.ej

Kang Han-na

Actress Kang Han-na, 36, earned a Baeksang Arts Award nomination in 2017 for her breakout role playing a villainous princess in the historical K-drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Since then, her best-known K-drama roles have included the shows Just Between Lovers, Familiar Wife, Start-Up, My Roommate is a Gumiho, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, and Cashero. She has also guest-starred in over 20 episodes of Running Man, making her the guest with the most appearances in the variety show's history.

Kang Han-na's Instagram: k_hanna_

Car, the Garden

Cha Jung-won, 34, is an indie-rock singer-songwriter better known by his stage name, Car, the Garden. (His surname "cha" translates to "car" in English, while "jung-won" means "garden.") Since his debut in 2013, Cha has appeared on soundtracks for dramas including True Beauty, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Alchemy of Souls, Taxi Driver season 2, and Marry My Husband. He's also an entertainer who has appeared on dozens of variety and YouTube shows.

Car, the Garden's Instagram: @carthegarden

When you're looking to get lost in a book, sometimes you need your reading material to match your mood. With Marie Claire's series "Buy the Book," we do the heavy lifting for you. We're offering curated, highly specific recommendations for whatever you're looking for—whether you're in your feels or hooked on a subgenre trending on #BookTok.

In this author-curated rendition, Mara Brock Akil—showrunner behind hits like Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, and Forever—shares the books that inspired her first novel, The Revelation of Dionne Daphne.

Legendary showrunner Mara Brock Akil has spent the past three decades creating TV shows that make Black women feel seen in all their humanity, ambition, and complexities. But for a story she hoped to tell but felt didn’t make sense on screen, the Girlfriends and Forever writer turned to literary fiction.

Brock Akil recently released The Revelation of Dionne Daphne, her debut novel about a magazine editor in early '90s N.Y.C. who's introduced while reeling from the end of her relationship with the man she thought she would marry. But when he shows up on her doorstep six months later with life-changing news, Dionne must face the trauma she has buried since her childhood.

Brock Akil explains to Marie Claire that writing Dionne for the page offered a medium that could “hold the full weight” of the character’s interiority, without compromise. “Television is a collaborative art form, and I love it deeply, but collaboration means negotiation—and what I was uncovering inside Dionne's life, the decades of shame and secrets that quietly authored her every choice, I wasn't willing to negotiate on that,” she says. “The novel let me hold all of it at once, without interruption.”

Brock Akil has always drawn from real-life experiences in her writing—but her debut novel is said to be her most personal story yet, as it examines the cultural baggage of past generations who often buried their pain under a perfect veneer. Dionne Daphne explores what ruminates beneath a Black woman's pursuit of perfection and shows the reader what can be found on the other side of self-discovery.

“Dionne hides behind a carefully crafted mask, but eventually she has to stand in the rubble and confront the messy parts of herself,” Akil explains. “What I love about her is that she's not a cautionary tale and she's not a redemption arc. She is a woman who understands she can no longer outrun her storms, that it’s better to be engulfed by them to be made whole; that is the revelation.”

To coincide with the release of her highly anticipated novel, which hit shelves on June 30, we asked the author to share which other books inspired it, from classic Black literature to recent bestsellers.

Some sad news for reality TV fans: Love Island USA season 8 is approaching its end. It can seem like Peacock’s hit dating show just started, with fan discourse reaching a fever pitch over the past two weeks of Casa Amor and Movie Night. However, longtime Love Island fans familiar with the franchise beats know that the season 8 finale is just around the corner. Get ready for more dates (please), more light-hearted challenges, and more public votes ahead of the evening when America’s favorite couple wins $100,000.

When is that evening, you ask? Read on for everything we know about the Love Island USA season 8 finale so far, including a possible timeline for the reunion.

When will 'Love Island USA' season 8 end?

Peacock has confirmed that the Love Island USA season 8 finale will air on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET. Season 8 will feature 36 episodes, the same number as last year's season 7. (If this season feels shorter than usual, Love Island UK typically lasts 49 episodes, so there is international precedent for longer seasons.)

Fans can watch Love Island USA by subscribing to Peacock.

Which couples could be in the 'Love Island USA' season 8 finale?

As of the end of Movie Night, there are eight couples in the villa: Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou, Kenzie Annis and Dylan Wrona, Jen Terry and Gal Tshnieder, Caleb McDaniel and Jaiden Bacciocco, Corbin Mims and Parmida Keshani, KC Chandler and Tierra Davis. However, the next recoupling is sure to bring some shake-ups, including Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt making things official, and Jen and Gal likely splitting up.

Based on the couples’ statuses at the moment and the Islanders’ popularity, the only guaranteed couple to make it to the finale is Trinity and Bryce. The fan-favorite pair became the season's first boyfriend and girlfriend in Episode 24 (which aired on June 29). The rest of the final four couples will depend on how things shake out in the final 10 episodes.

Will there be a 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion?

Though Peacock hasn’t given any official word, the season 8 Islanders will likely reunite after the finale for a contentious reunion. Last year, season 7’s cast filmed their reunion one month after the finale, with the special episode airing two weeks later. If this six-week gap remains the same for 2026, the season 8 reunion could be released around the last week of August.

On the press tour for Elle, Prime Video's series imagining the high school origin story of Legally Blonde's Elle Woods, newcomer Lexi Minetree has been paying faithful homage to the original Delta Nu and eventual Harvard Law School graduate, Reese Witherspoon. Working with stylist Molly Dickson, Minetree has sourced Witherspoon's personal archives for both her premiere outfits (like a Marc Jacobs midi) and some of Elle's original costumes (like a sequin Dolce & Gabbana dress, tried on a fitting-room scene during the 2001 film). "I knew that I really wanted to pay respect to Elle Woods and her style," Minetree told Marie Claire, "because she is a fashion icon".

Between the red-carpet callbacks and a teaser trailer full of hot pink bikinis, peony feather pens, and '90s back issues of Cosmopolitan, viewers may expect Minetree's outfits on Elle to be just as faithful to the source material: all fuchsia and sequins, all calling back to Elle's anti-Ivy League wardrobe from the movies. By Elle's palette in the pilot, it's clear anyone who thinks orange is the new pink is definitely disturbed. But as series costume designers Sophie de Rakoff and Sara Byblow shared in an interview with Marie Claire, the wardrobing goal was never to exactly replicate Legally Blonde's outfits.

"Everyone is very, very familiar with the Legally Blonde aesthetic and the universe," says de Rakoff, who designed costumes for both the original Legally Blonde and its 2003 sequel. "So you don't need to put a hat on a hat. Our approach to [Elle's styling] always was: only if it works for the character, and if it helps propel the narrative, as opposed to just putting things in for the sake of it."

"We didn't want to replicate," Byblow agrees. It wouldn't make sense for a high-school junior version of Elle to pack the same clothes for law school a few years later, after all. (One constant is that Elle is a certified shopper—so aside from a few special pieces, her closet would naturally evolve.)

Set aside expectations that the series will perfectly encapsulate '90s Bel-Air style, too. "Sophie and I both were so adamant from the beginning that we are not a documentary. We're not saying that we're based specifically in the '90s," Byblow says. "We are living in our own Legally Blonde universe, so it was more so about finding pieces that felt like our character." Meaning: While there are a few vintage pulls here and there, Elle's final edit mixes up archival finds with custom-made pieces and items from right now.

If exact '90s collections and Reese Witherspoon's original wardrobe weren't the starting point for imagining Elle as a teen, what were? The costume designers say they spent hours mood boarding, thinking of women who would inspire Elle's nearly-unwavering optimism and her sense of style: Goldie Hawn for comedy, Claudia Schiffer for modeling. "The biggest thing was always just building out the world around her before we ever touched any piece of clothing," Byblow says.

Once the costume designers had a sense of Elle's starting point, they could begin exploring how her wardrobe would evolve. The script provided a roadmap: After a litigious mishap at her father's plastic surgery practice, Elle and her parents move from Bel-Air to Seattle. It's an outsider versus insider set-up that's made all the more stark when Elle arrives for her first day of school with a pink Gucci backpack and matching mini dress. Obviously, she's sticking out in a sea of grunge plaid shirts and baggy cargoes.

Pay close attention to the shades she's wearing. "The soft pink satin that we see on the first day of school reflected that vulnerability and being that fish out of water in Seattle," Byblow says. "Elle has her own moments of changing and evolving throughout, [which] you'll see through texture and color."

The centerpiece of the series, however, isn't saved for Elle's move to Seattle. It's the first full look viewers see: a hot pink mini dress for Elle's Sweet 16 birthday party, set with a giant, baby pink bow on the neckline. "[We] put so much thought and intention and love into this one particular costume, because it was a proof of concept of so many things for us," de Rakoff says.

Pink in any shade is shorthand for "Elle Woods"; this pink shows the character in her element. At home in Bel-Air, "She is her most confident, grounded self. Having her in this texture and this hot pink really was supposed to sell the fact of that confidence," Byblow says. "That color tone, specifically at the start of the show, was really important to us in telling that story."

The day Lexi Minetree tried on Elle's birthday party dress is the day de Rakoff and Byblow knew their costuming approach captured the essence of everyone's favorite lawyer-in-training—even with their tweaks and re-imaginings for the prequel.

"I remember when we were doing the camera tests, and [Lexi] walked onto the stage with the perfect camera makeup, the dress, the shoes...it really was a moment," de Rakoff says. "It reminded me of doing the camera test with Reese, when she had when she came out in the Jackie O outfit [for Legally Blonde 2]. You could see it in the camera lens, who that character is." No objections.

Every year when dating shows like Love Island USA return and take over the internet, a perennial question resurfaces: Where are the gays? A queer Love Island may not exist, but there is an answer to the sapphic-shaped hole in reality TV: I Kissed a Girl.

In 2023, the BBC debuted a landmark LGBTQ+ reality franchise, releasing the U.K.'s first-ever gay dating show, I Kissed a Boy, followed by its lesbian version, I Kissed a Girl. Both series were critically praised and found passionate fanbases, with the latter receiving notable love for its groundbreaking representation of sapphic culture. Though Korea and Japan hold the crown for wholesome-yet-messy reality hits, I Kissed a Girl proves that the country that gave us Love Island can also release much less blood-pressure-raising fare.

If any of the above has piqued your interest, your watchlist is in luck. Read on for our breakdown of I Kissed a Girl and how U.S. viewers can tune in.

What is the reality show 'I Kissed a Girl?'

Hosted by LGBTQ+ ally (and Kylie's little sister) Dannii Minogue and lesbian narrator Charley Marlowe, I Kissed a Girl can be considered a sapphic, more low-key version of Love Island. It starts with 10 queer women arriving at an Italian masseria—a fortified farmhouse unique to Puglia, Italy—where pre-planned pairs immediately smooch on their first meeting to test their compatibility.

The couples are then left to flirt, build their connections, and possibly catch someone else's eye as they all live together. The dating-show gameplay includes the standard themed parties and challenges, or "chemistry tests," that stir up drama; reveals where new singles enter the masseria; and "Kiss Off" ceremonies that end in elimination. The final test is whether they'll commit to continuing their romance outside the masseria by kissing one last time in front of their families(!) who've been flown out for the finale.

While there are more exciting shows that focus on producer-contrived drama, I Kissed a Girl is made for the reality-TV sociologists who want to observe how the singles move through their romances. Many lovely moments also move LGBTQ+ representation on TV beyond tired stereotypes, such as discussions on the intersections of queerness and race.

When does 'I Kissed a Girl' season 2 come out in the U.K.?

After its acclaimed May 2024 debut, I Kissed a Girl began its second season on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. After dropping four episodes on the 23rd, the dating show will release two episodes at a time for the rest of its run, with drops arriving on BBC iPlayer every Tuesday at 6 a.m. BST.

According to PinkNews, I Kissed a Girl season 2 will have 10 episodes total, with the season finale expected to air on July 14, 2026.

How can I watch 'I Kissed a Girl' in the U.S.?

Thankfully for U.S. viewers, I Kissed a Girl and I Kissed a Boy are both available to stream stateside on Hulu. However, it hasn't been announced when season 2 will land on Hulu—and subscribers will likely have to wait. The queer dating show arrived on the streaming giant in late August 2024, a couple of months after it aired on the BBC.

If you're the impatient type or don't want to get spoiled by an IG reel, I Kissed a Girl season 2 is streaming without delay on BBC iPlayer, free with a TV license. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.

Will there be an 'I Kissed a Girl' season 3?

Unfortunately, I Kissed a Girl season 2 will be its final installment. In March 2026, the BBC announced that both I Kissed a Girl and I Kissed a Boy would come to an end with their second seasons.

“We are exceptionally proud of I Kissed A Boy/Girl, the U.K.’s first dating show for the LGBTQ+ community,” a BBC spokesperson said at the time. “We would like to thank our fabulous Cupid Dannii Minogue and the entire team at [production company] Twofour for bringing the series to screen. Unfortunately, we have to make difficult choices in light of our funding challenges, and there are no current plans for the show to return.”

Fans have since called for other networks to consider reviving the show and started a petition directed toward the BBC that has racked up over 20,000 signatures. For now, new viewers can enjoy the three (and soon four) franchise seasons airing on Hulu.

As soon as it began, Love Island USA season 8's Casa Amor is about to come to an end. The reality-TV phenomenon's signature test of relationship loyalty revived a divisive season by diving headfirst into chaos, as season 8's Islanders all got to know a new set of eligible singles. Over the past few nights, chats were had, toes were sucked, and true colors were revealed as the internet devolved into speculation about whether the Islanders would either stay loyal to their original match or explore a new connection.

With the original villa dwellers expected to reunite on Friday, June 26, it's time to refresh your memory on each Islander's journey on the dating show over the past four weeks in Fiji (which is like, half a year's worth of relationship development). Below, read on for a recap of Love Island USA season 8's romances so far, with the couples ordered from least to most likely to stay together after Casa Amor. Spoilers ahead up to Episode 20 (released on June 25), and you can watch Love Island USA by subscribing to Peacock.

Jen and Caleb

In all fairness, Jen Terry and Caleb McDaniel are the closest we've gotten to a friendship couple in season 8. They both entered the villa as bombshells in week 2, alongside Sol Dean (more on her below). America voted for Caleb, a blond Charleston cowboy, to couple up with Kenzie, whose ideal type was a blond cowboy. However, the spark wasn't there, seemingly because Kenzie was so attracted to her previous match, Corbin. Even the female Islanders knew that Caleb got the short end of the stick, which is why they voted to save him from elimination after Kenzie went back to Corbin.

Meanwhile, Jen was voted into a couple with Gabriel Vasconcelos, who had been partnered with Beatriz Hatz but was still willing to explore. Gabriel got emotional when Beatriz was dumped, but as soon as she left, he quickly got physical with Jen. Though the pair got along great, the female Islanders wondered whether Gabriel was too lustful and was always looking for "the next best thing." The girls dumped Gabriel from the villa, leaving Jen and Caleb single.

So the question of who Jen and Caleb could bring back from Casa isn't that dramatic, since neither of them has lingering connections in the villa. Jen has been pretty set on surf-café owner Gal Tshnieder, though she also chatted with lacrosse player Ronnie Gunter after Gal expressed an interest in Kenzie. Meanwhile, after briefly finding himself in another love triangle with Corbin—this time over personal trainer Parmida Keshani—Caleb hit it off with new grad Jaiden Bacciocco.

Corbin and Kenzie

While Gabriel's dumping was the reason "lustful" became season 8's buzzword, it's also been pointed toward Corbin Mims and Kenzie Annis. Kenzie arrived in the villa on night one and had a rough go at first: Zach rejected her after 24 hours together, leaving her to explore with fellow single Sean Reifel, and even (briefly) Gabriel. But her head was quickly turned when Corbin arrived as a bombshell, and the pair had an easy chemistry. Things hit a bit of a snag when she learned that Corbin used the same lines on her as Kayda, but she quickly got over it. When Corbin used his bombshell privilege to choose Kenzie in a recoupling, she admitted she would've chosen him over Sean anyway.

Corbin and Kenzie weren't closed off when Caleb, Jen, and Sol came in as bombshells, so they got closer as a couple while also exploring other connections. After America voted for Kenzie to be with Caleb, leaving Corbin single, he chose to couple up with Melanie. Both Kenzie and Corbin seemed to want to give their new couplings a fair shot, but they were also physically drawn to each other. They even shared a kiss one night, and it was clear it was a crossed boundary because both of them kept it secret from their new matches. It was no surprise when Corbin and Kenzie chose each other in the next recoupling.

Then came this year's Casa Amor twist, where the boys were secreted away to the auxiliary villa during the "Hearts on Fire" challenge, and the girls watched them meet the six new Casa girls on a live feed. All of the boys were giving real strip-club energy, but Corbin took it the farthest, declaring that he's definitely bringing someone new back to the villa, just two girls in. And he clearly meant it; that second girl, Parmida, also liked him, and they started making out immediately.

Meanwhile, Kenzie seems interested in Casa Boys Gal and Dylan Wrona, but a bigger question than who she will bring back is whether she will stay with them. After Zach left her for a date with Kayda, Kenzie refused chats with him and didn't give him the time of day. But she had only been with Zach for 24 hours. Will Kenzie have the same energy after a week (which, again, is the real-world equivalent of a couple of months) with Corbin? We'll have to see.

Kayda and Zach

Situations change so quickly in Love Island. Back in weeks 1 and 2, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou (A.K.A. Charlie from season 7's brother) were early favorites—and even seen as potential winners. Besides Zach's brief time with Kenzie, he and Kayda locked on to each other on day two and never looked back. (Remember Kayda curving Bryce as the three of them were forced to sleep in what we thought at the time was the show's biggest bed?) Though they both had opportunities to explore—Kayda with Sincere and Gabriel, and Zach with Jen—they never really crossed boundaries. (To me, each of their one kiss outside of a challenge cancels each other out.) They were even the first couple sent to the Hideaway.

However, though Zach wasn't unfaithful pre-Casa, he always had some sketchy behavior. While Kayda low-key thought jealousy is a sign of affection, Zach dealt with said jealousy by getting possessive and vindictive, as far back as pulling Jen for a chat after the giant-bed challenge. Zach has also been a regular shit-stirrer among the established couples, even telling his BFF Bryce that it didn't seem like Trinity liked him. But the biggest early red flag was when, literally as they were making the hideaway bed the morning after, Zach asked Kayda if she'd be okay with him chatting up a new bombshell.

The cracks in the couple continued after Sol and Gabriel's dumping, when the guys got pissed that the girls sent Gabriel home. Zach threatened that the boys might not make breakfast for the girls the next morning, which is one of the most disrespectful things you could do in the villa. (He's literally the only guy who followed through the next day!) He then jokingly said the girls should chat with Caleb since they saved him, and even told Caleb to pull Kayda. And then, when Caleb did pick Kayda in the next challenge, Zach accused her of liking it too much! If all that whining wasn't enough, he even threatened to pull Melanie for a chat, which left Kayda as confused as the rest of us.

By the time Casa started, Zach was ready to cheat, and Kayda's anger was mixed with tears as she watched him have the time of his life meeting the Casa girls. Even though Kayda didn't join the initial "I miss my man" contingent, she was still staring at pictures of Zach in a Joe Goldberg hoodie. She also collapsed into tears after seeing a picture of Zach kissing a Casa girl on night one, while she hadn't been kissing any of the Casa boys. Due to extenuating circumstances, Zach will likely return to the villa single. And despite how easily she hit it off with chiropractor Chay Nehra, Kayda may have too much unfinished business.

Aniya and KC

It only took a week of Casa Amor for Aniya Harvey and KC Chandler to go from one of the villa's strongest couples to one of the most divisive. However, as KC won't let anyone forget, they didn't choose each other at first. On night one, both Aniya and Melanie went for Sincere, while KC was left standing alone at his giant door. Still, his and Aniya's consolation match seemed to be blossoming into something real. KC's assurances that Aniya was "the blueprint" and that dark-skinned women were the most beautiful, even made her tear up.

But now, in hindsight, the red flags began popping up by week 2. When Sol arrived at the villa, KC admitted she resembled his ex-girlfriend, which eventually got to Aniya. Literally hours earlier, KC had told Aniya that he had always played it safe, like staying in his hometown instead of going away for college. But when Aniya expressed concern that she just felt like a safe option (and KC was really a Taylor waiting for his Clarke), KC’s previous reassurances had fans reading Aniya as unnecessarily insecure. Even as KC told Sol in private chats that he was holding himself back from pursuing her, he became offended when Aniya suggested he only saw her as a fallback.

Despite all of the above—and a gross conversation between KC and Corbin where KC called Aniya a “grandma” for not hooking up with him on national TV—KC and Aniya chose each other again at the love-letter recoupling. However, after KC defended Sol during the dumping vote and claimed he’d explore with her if they kept her around, he and Aniya had the same argument over again. So they were not in a good place when Aniya saw KC doing the absolute most while meeting the Casa Amor girls. She didn’t even see him fall lips-first into L.A. model Tierra Marsh, before doing the same “I’m all about you, but I’m gonna explore her” routine, and telling the guys that he liked Tierra because he didn’t have to “beg” for kisses anymore. And she didn’t see him claim that he and Aniya had nothing in common, which even threw Sincere off.

Aniya is the biggest lover girl there behind Melanie, so of course she cried when she saw the pic of KC kissing another girl. But thankfully, host Ariana Madix brought in 12(!) new men to woo the women. Aniya hit it off with Carl Schmidt, a 6'4'' personal trainer and world traveler who’s a volleyball player like her. Carl is gorgeous. Carl is chivalrous. Carl constantly says she's hot. Carl genuinely listens to her. Carl held her dress down while they were getting freaky in challenges. Carl’s ex-girlfriend posted TikToks about how great he is and that she’s rooting for him and Aniya.

If Aniya doesn’t pick Carl, I may have the biggest crash-out of my life. Unfortunately, since not everything that happens in the villa makes it to the screen, there’s no way to be entirely sure that the Internet’s prayers will be answered once Aniya and KC see each other again. (But seriously, girl, RUN.)

Melanie and Sincere

Oh, my girl Melanie. Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno's tumultuous romance was the central drama of the season pre-Casa, with Melanie filling a Love Island archetype: The girl who falls hard and fast. We love her vulnerability; we shade her decision-making. But without that central lover girl to influence the rest of the female cast, and provide the opposite of a slow burn, Love Island truly would be Friendship Island.

Sincere and Melanie were into each other from the very beginning, but Melanie's admitted jealousy issues quickly surfaced when she learned Sincere had a history of texting other girls while in a relationship. She didn't react in the best way, immediately declaring that she'd "cheat back" and arguably stepping on people's toes as she explored with Gabriel, Corbin, and even, very briefly, KC. (Going from Sincere to Corbin and back during the giant-bed challenge was a bad look.) Still, Sincere and Melanie were shaken but not broken...until Sol entered the villa.

Before Sol, Sincere was arguably doing what Love Island was designed for by playing the field. But then Sincere started lying. He'd chat with Sol for hours and kiss her outside of challenges. When confronted by Melanie, he'd admit to the kissing, then immediately downplay his connection with Sol and reassure Melanie that he only wanted her. And then next time he went off to chat with Sol, he'd kiss Sol and reassure her he only wanted to be with her. (This cycle repeated at least two more times.) Compare that to Gabriel, who was upfront with Bea about kissing bombshells, while Sincere had Melanie crying and feeling crazy.

Sincere and Melanie finally, briefly, split up when America voted for Sincere to couple up with Sol, while Melanie ended up with Corbin. Melanie said at the time that she was happy the love triangle would be over, but even if Corbin wasn't sneaking kisses with Kenzie, it was clear Melanie still wanted Sincere. But when it seemed like Melanie was opening up to Corbin, Sincere spun the block and told Melanie how much he missed her while assuring Sol that he only wanted her. Once again, it wasn't a surprise when Sincere chose to recouple with Melanie during the love-letter recoupling. (Sol understandably had smoke for Sincere for leading her on, but the male islanders dumped her from the villa the next night.)

Melanie and Sincere's happy reunion after trials and tribulations was quickly interrupted by the ultimate trial of Casa Amor. Once again, Sincere eagerly explored with a new girl, this time SCAD student Amora Robinson, but after the Sol of it all, I'm thinking he'll probably go back to Melanie once they're in the same villa again. Meanwhile, Melanie has seen ample evidence of the way he operates when she isn't around, and her Casa boy, Corey Sawyer Jr., also told her that Sincere was playing her. (The Casa girls and boys can watch the show before they go in.) Still, one thing about a lover girl, she's gonna stick beside him. Sincere and Melanie probably aren't over yet.

Trinity and Bryce

Aniya may be the princess, but Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff are the only couple right now who seem set for a Happily Ever After. (But again, Aniya, we can change that girl.) Brinity coupled up on night one, but they quickly realized that they had some major differences. (Most notably, Trinity called Gabriel old at the ripe age of 26, and Bryce is 29.) Both Trinity and Bryce chose to explore with new bombshells, Gabriel and Kayda, on day 2. Obviously, that didn't work out, so they ended up back in their couple.

Even as the pair got closer week by week, it was unclear whether they were forming a romantic connection beyond their growing friendship. Despite all the tears that exploring connections brings, that's how Islanders (and viewers) truly know that a couple is solid. The five bombshells who arrived before Casa didn't seem interested in either of them. However, neither of them rode the complacency of a friendship coupling. Trinity was vulnerable about her concerns and told Bryce to put in the work to strengthen their connection, and he made the effort. They're also one of the season's most transparent pairings; Bryce gave her a heads-up that he wanted to try to explore with Kayda again, and Trinity wasn't afraid to tell him that it upset her. (Kayda immediately friend-zoned him again, because duh.)

Unfortunately, it took Casa for Brinity to truly take flight. After his initial glee at meeting the Casa girls, Bryce looked miserable the rest of his time in Casa, and the rest of the boys took shifts to join him as he stared across the ocean at the villa day and night. Meanwhile, Trinity tried to explore a bit and kissed Corey, but she soon realized that she really did miss Bryce. By the third night of Casa, she had taken Melanie's place sleeping out in Soul Ties. Even though Bryce saw the postcard of Trinity kissing Corey, Brinity still only wants each other, which is more than I can say about any of the other couples.

It's wild to think Legally Blonde was released 25 years ago—an anniversary that star Reese Witherspoon has been more than happy to commemorate. On Saturday, June 20, the actress attended "Elle World," a celebration of all things Elle Woods, wearing an outfit the iconic lawyer would most definitely approve of.

The Oscar-winning actress was photographed arriving at the "Elle World" event at Hall des Lumières in New York City wearing a bright pink satin dress from Prada's Fall/Winter 2026 Ready-to-Wear collection. Cinched in at the waist and featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline, the Prada outfit is extremely appropriate for any event involving the pink princess Elle Woods.

Witherspoon—whose stylist is Petra Flannery—accessorized her dress with a pale pink satin clutch bag and a pair of Christian Louboutin's Miss Z 100mm Laminated Calf Leather Pumps in Vintage Rose. Sadly, the actress's footwear is no longer available in this particular metallic shade, though the style itself remains very popular.

Witherspoons's successor, Lexi Minetree, who is portraying the role of Elle Woods in Prime Video's forthcoming prequel series, also opted for a pink dress. The dark pink fuchsia sequin midi dress features a square neckline and skinny black straps, and is accessorized with a very '90s-coded skinny diamanté belt.

Notably, Minetree's dress is the pink version of a blue Dolce and Gabbana dress worn by Elle Woods in the first Legally Blonde movie, via @nostalgiachick. The young actress has most definitely been taking notes when it comes to Witherspoon's Elle Woods styling.

In her eye-catching pink outfit, Witherspoon made her love for Legally Blonde completely clear, and she's obviously excited for the release of Prime Video's Elle.

Shop Outfits Inspired by 'Legally Blonde'

If you've read a Harlan Coben thriller or watched any of the numerous Netflix series based on his books, then you know the writer loves a twist. Netflix's latest Coben adaptation, I Will Find You, is no exception. In fact, it might be the twistiest one yet.

The mystery series begins with a simple premise: David Burroughs (Sam Worthington) is a man serving a life sentence after being convicted of his son's murder, but what happens when he learns that his son might not be dead after all? What follows can only be described as a rollercoaster of bad decisions in the pursuit of the truth.

David escapes prison with the help of his godfather and prison warden Philip (Peter Outerbridge), as well as his policeman son and David's childhood friend Adam (Jonathan Tucker), and his former sister-in-law, Rachel (Britt Lower), as he becomes convinced that Nicky Fisher (Clancy Brown), a local mob boss, set him up for murder and kidnapped his son as part of a very convoluted revenge plot against David's father. The truth, however, is much, much creepier. Read on as we break down how I Will Find You really ends.

Who kidnapped Matthew in 'I Will Find You?'

As it turns out, the local mob boss didn't kidnap Matthew (Ashton Cressman) in the Netflix thriller. In fact, he wasn't taken by anyone trying to get revenge on David or anyone in his family. He was taken by Hayden Payne (Milo Ventimiglia), Rachel's on-and-off boyfriend who previously interacted with Matthew once at a Fourth of July party.

So, why would a man supposedly in love with Matthew's aunt kidnap the boy and frame David for murder, you ask? And why did he help David and Rachel when they were on the run investigating? You're going to want to sit down for this one.

Why did Hayden kidnap Matthew in 'I Will Kill You?'

Hayden kidnapped Matthew for one very simple reason: He believed that Matthew was his biological son. Over the course of their investigation into the case, Rachel and David learn that Cheryl (Erin Richards), Rachel's sister and Matthew's mother, had visited a fertility clinic before getting pregnant. She and David had been trying for a while, and in her desperation to become a mother, Cheryl decided to use a sperm donor without telling her husband. Only, she didn't get the sperm she thought she was paying for.

The donor wasn't a stranger; it was Hayden, who paid off the fertility doctor to use his sperm in the insemination. It turns out, Cheryl used Rachel's name at the fertility clinic, fearing that she might be found out, so Hayden believed that Rachel was the woman he was inseminating. He couldn't stand the thought of her being tied to another man, so he orchestrated the entire operation using his family's money and connections.

How did Hayden set David up for murder on 'I Will Find You?'

After meeting Matthew at the Fourth of July party, Hayden couldn't stop thinking about him and became obsessed with the idea of taking back his biological son. So, he did the only logical thing: fake a murder. But first, he had to find a body. Lucky for him, his family owned a Swiss orphanage where a boy around Matthew's age had arrived. Hayden used his money to have the boy taken to the U.S. and murdered, planting the boy's dead body in Matthew's bed and making it look like David had killed his own son. With the help of his mother (Madeleine Stowe), he was able to manipulate the genetic testing so that the body found was identified as Matthew. With Matthew legally declared dead, Hayden was free to raise him as his own. Matthew, now 8, spent the last five years believing he was Hayden's son named Theo.

Who is Matthew's father in 'I Will Find You?'

Hayden spent years believing that he was Matthew's biological father, but in the final episode of I Will Find You, he learns the brutal truth: Matthew isn't his. Yes, Cheryl was artificially inseminated, but, as she learned soon after, she had already been pregnant at the time. David is Matthew's father.

By the time Hayden thought about getting a paternity test, he had already killed a boy and framed David for murder. Wanting desperately to protect her son and her family legacy, Hayden's mother lied to him about the results. What Hayden had done, after all, could not be undone.

What did David's dad and Nicky Fisher have to do with Matthew's Disappearance in 'I Will Find You?'

Once David breaks out of prison, he and Rachel follow the only lead they have: a witness who testified that she saw David burying the murder weapon in the woods on the night of Matthew's murder. David tracks her down, and while she maintains she saw an unidentified man burying the murder weapon that night, she admits that Nicky Fisher, the local mob boss, paid her to testify that she saw David.

David is convinced that Nicky Fisher has his son, but Nicky is actually just a red herring. He paid the witness to ensure that David would end up in jail, but only because David's cop father, Lenny (Hugh Thompson), had previously sent Nicky's own son to jail, where he then died. Nicky, blaming David's father, decided that David's trial was the perfect opportunity to get his revenge. (It also didn't hurt that David and his partner had, in fact, buried the murder weapon on the night of Matthew's death in an effort to save David from prison.)

How does 'I Will Find You' end?

After spending the season hunting David, FBI Agents Sarah Greer (Logan Browning) and Max Williams (Chi McBride)—partners and a father-daughter pair—take a leap of faith in the series finale, choosing to trust the escaped convict instead. Despite being suspended after a shootout with Nicky Fisher's men that left Max in the hospital, Sarah determines that Matthew's case is connected to that of a missing boy from Switzerland—the boy who was killed and believed to be Matthew. She decides to team up with Rachel and David to rescue Matthew from Hayden before they can leave the country.

While Rachel, David, and Sarah head to the Payne Estate, Cheryl heads to visit Max in the hospital and gives him proof that Matthew was not the boy who was found dead all those years ago. She had a family friend run another DNA test on the blood found the night of the murder, and it wasn't a match. With this new evidence, Max calls in reinforcements from the FBI.

Before the FBI can arrive, however, Hayden shoots his mother after learning that Matthew was never his biological son and shoots David as they both run after a very confused Matthew. Sarah and Rachel manage to catch up with him before he can escape, and, without a way out, Hayden decides not to surrender. He points his gun at Rachel instead, forcing Sarah to shoot him.

The finale then cuts to months later. After solving David's case, Sarah took over as the head of the FBI's Boston Fugitive Task Force. Meanwhile, David was cleared of all charges, and he and Cheryl were able to take their son home. Cheryl also gave birth to a baby girl with her new husband, and David and Rachel are giving their relationship a shot. Their entire blended family is adjusting to their new lives in Boston.

Love Island may dominate reality fans' summer watchlists, but the franchise isn't limited to two months. In addition to Love Island USA and Love Island UK, the dating-show franchise has expanded to dozens of countries. Of course, an international hit like Love Island has its own answer to a World Cup: Love Island: All Stars.

For those new to All Stars, the Love Island UK spinoff first aired in January 2024, reuniting several former Islanders for a second chance at love in the villa. Rather than changing up the show's format—for that, check out Peacock's Love Island Games—All Stars feels more like an extra season of the original phenomenon, tapping into an alumni roster with a lot of history.

Interested? Read on to learn how to tune into Love Island: All Stars next winter, including how to watch in the U.S. with no delay.

When does 'Love Island: All Stars' air?

For the past three years, Love Island: All Stars has arrived each winter to fill the LIUSA and LIUK-shaped holes in fans' hearts. The spinoff, led by host Maya Jama and narrator Iain Stirling, typically begins in mid-January and airs for five weeks.

Like the original series, Love Island: All Stars is filmed as close to real-time as possible. This means that the spinoff also includes audience votes that switch things up for the Islanders, as they film in a South African villa.

How can I watch 'Love Island: All Stars' in the U.S.?

All three seasons of Love Island: All Stars are currently available to stream on Peacock. While Love Island: All Stars season 4 has yet to be confirmed, the new season will likely air exclusively on Peacock in the U.S., following its fan-favorite third season. For season 3, new episodes hit Peacock two days after they air on ITV in the U.K.

If you're the impatient type or don't want to get spoiled by an IG reel, Love Island: All Stars will stream with no delay on ITVX, free with a TV license. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.

No one loves a romance novel quite like Prime Video. Over the last few years, the streamer's been on a roll—pouncing on the buzzy titles scrolling across your #BookTok FYP and snapping up their adaptation rights.

In the last five years alone, the platform has released series adaptations of Jenny Han's sun-drenched The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, Elle Kennedy's over-10-year-old hockey romance series Off Campus, and Carley Fortune's splashy Every Summer After novel, re-titled Every Year After. There are a handful of best-sellers on Prime Video's book-to-screen docket, from this September's STEM romance The Love Hypothesis to the long-awaited Fourth Wing series—but fans of Irish novels and love triangles have another to look forward to: The Boys of Tommen.

Author Chloe Walsh's The Boys of Tommen series delighted readers with six novels' worth of steamy romance, charming athlete tropes, and top-tier yearning—which means excitement's at a fever pitch to see all those details come to life on the screen. Read on for everything we know about The Boys of Tommen TV series adaptation so far.

What is 'Boys of Tommen' about?

Written by Irish author Chloe Walsh, The Boys of Tommen series follows a team of rugby players at the elite school Tommen College in County Cork, Ireland, as each athlete navigates love, rugby, and growing up. With six books already released and at least a few more forthcoming, each coming-of-age sports romance explores the relationship between one of the players and their love interest.

"It’s just an unbelievable constellation of characters, but it’s also got such a specificity for place and the time," Prime Video's International Content Chief, Nicole Clemens, told Deadline in February 2026, when the adaptation was announced.

Though originally published in 2018, the series experienced something of a renaissance online in recent years—like its older American-hockey-playing brother, Off Campus. Fans have praised the books for how they explore heavy emotional topics, including addiction, abuse, and trauma. The renewed interest stirred enough buzz to catch the eye of Prime Video, which announced the series adaptation via an Instagram post in February 2026.

What 'Boys of Tommen' books are being adapted in season 1 of the TV series?

Prime Video has announced that the first season of the show will feature eight episodes that explore the first two books in the Boys of Tommen series, Binding 13 and Keeping 13. The duology focuses on the forbidden love story of star rugby player Johnny Kavanagh and shy new girl Shannon Lynch. "Both teenagers are hiding secrets; Johnny, a potentially career-ending injury, and Shannon, a troubled and violent home life," the show's logline describes. "Through their secret and highly charged connection, the two teens from opposite worlds battle against the odds and find a way to save each other."

Though future seasons have yet to be confirmed, should they be greenlit, viewers can expect them to follow the subsequent books: Saving 6, Redeeming 6, Taming 7, and Releasing 10.

Who is involved behind the scenes of the 'Boys of Tommen' TV show?

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder alum, Poppy Cogan, takes the helm as the show's lead writer and executive producer. She shares the latter title with author Chloe Walsh.

Prime Video's International Content Chief Nicole Clemens teased that "Poppy's scripts capture the intensity of Johnny and Shannon's powerful romance and dive into the rich constellation of characters to explore the themes of mental health, bullying, and resilience with the same authenticity that fans love in Chloe's books."

Also behind the series are the production houses Drama Republic (One Day), Temple Hill (Twilight), and wiip (The Summer I Turned Pretty). Irish filmmaker Brendan Canty—known for directing Hozier's "Take Me To Church" music video—is also attached to direct.

Who has been cast in the 'Boys of Tommen' TV show?

We already know many of the Tommen College coeds! In late May, Prime Video announced that Nancy Surridge and Conor Sánchez will lead the first season as Shannon and Johnny. While Sánchez already has a few acting credits under his belt—including Power & Glory, One Night, and Invertigo—Boys of Tommen will be Surridge's breakout role.

James O'Donoghue and Sophie McGibbon were also cast as Joey Lynch and Aoife Molloy, the romantic leads of the third and fourth Boys of Tommen books. McGibbon will appear later this year alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones as Miss Grey in the forthcoming Sense & Sensibility movie adaptation. O'Donoghue, meanwhile, can be seen in Fair City and A Witch's Tale.

“We searched far and wide, receiving over 3,000 casting suggestions from across the U.K. and Ireland, but from the moment Nancy, Conor, James, and Sophie walked into the room, it was clear we’d found something beyond special," director Brendan Canty said in a statement via a Prime Video press release. "Each of them brings the spirit and emotional depth this story demands, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring Chloe’s world to the screen with this extraordinary young cast.”

Beyond the leads of books 1 through 4, a handful of supporting cast members (and potential eventual stars) were announced in late June 2026. According to Deadline, Amelia May (Wild Cherry) will play Claire Biggs, and John Hewson—the youngest son of Bono from U2—will have one of his first major roles as Gerard Gibson. As readers will know, Book 5 turns its focus to Claire and Gerard's romance. The leading characters of Book 6, Claire's brother Hugh and Lizzie Young, have also been cast: Indy Lewis (Industry) will take on Lizzie, and Irish racecar driver Alex Dunne will make his acting debut as Hugh.

In July, Variety revealed up-and-comer Jamie Schneider will be the show's Patrick Feely, whom book fans know as Player 12, and will be the upcoming lead of the yet-to-be-published books 9 and 10 (Feeling 12 and Trusting 12). The outlet reported that the show also found its Pierce O’Neill—who dates Lizzie before Hugh—in rising actor, James Craven (who has had small roles in House of the Dragon and Doctor Who).

Other members in the ensemble include Eoin Macken (Merlin, La Brea) and Róisín Gallagher (How to Get to Heaven From Belfast) as Shannon's parents, Teddy and Marie Lynch, Amy Huberman (Finding Joy) as Johnny's mom, Edel Kavanagh, Dixie Egerickx (The Secret Garden) as Katie Wilmot, theater actress Daisy Jacob as Bella Wilkinson, rising Irish actor/filmmaker Jonathan Heed as Cormac Ryan, and newcomer Cathal Ó Síocháin as Ronan McGarry.

When will the 'Boys of Tommen' TV series be released?

Though the series got the green light from Prime Video earlier this year, it'll still be a while before our screens transport us to Cork. With the casting of the leads complete, we can assume that the show may be ready to move into production later in 2026. If that's the case and filming goes smoothly, it's possible we could see episodes in late 2027 or early 2028.

Fingers crossed we get more information soon; we'll keep this story updated as more details become available.

Three new bombshells entered the Love Island USA villa in season 8’s sixth episode, but only one of them has made a real impact when it comes to testing the existing Islander couples. 24-year-old Sol Dean caught the eye of Sincere Rhea, whose relationship with Melanie Moreno has been tumultuous, to say the least. Sol, who also goes by Sol Mýa, and Sincere's chats have resulted in a few private kisses, which upset Melanie, and the original pair were on thin ice as he explored his other options.

America’s first vote of the season upped the ante when they officially broke up Melanie and Sincere for the foreseeable future by pairing Sol with Sincere. Now, they are exploring their connection in earnest...but if things don’t work out in the villa, she also has an off-island admirer in Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan. While we wait to find out her destiny, let’s get to know Sol better.

Sol works at a gym, and is also a model.

A native of Orange, California, Sol works at the front desk of a gym while also waitressing and modeling. On Instagram, she often posts from the BellaTec pilates studio in West Hollywood, citing pilates as the secret to her “toned and defined” body.

As a model, she is repped by Photogenics LA and was discovered at the U.S. Open of Surfing after high school. Sol briefly moved to Chicago to kickstart her modeling career, first signing to The Rock Agency, and then The Option Agency a few months later before eventually moving back to California.

Sol is a singer and has an interest in the entertainment industry.

Speaking with Voyage LA in 2024, Sol said that arts and creativity have always been a big part of her life and that she was heavily influenced by her father.

“Since a child, my father taught me how to sing and act, where that led me to a passion in the entertainment industry,” she said at the time. “Started off doing talent shows since 1st grade to get more comfortable in the public eye with expressing myself. Began writing my own music in my junior year of high school inspired once again by my father being a poet he helped me understand what I was feeling and was able to help me express it through my writing.” The confidence she built then led her to modeling, which launched her into the public eye.

Sol was close with her late father.

On Love Island USA, Sol tells Sincere that she recently lost her father—a loss that she is still grieving. In the few interviews she’s done, it’s clear how much her father influenced her, from her interest in the arts to building her confidence in her skills. When asked what her favorite childhood memories are, she cited her dad “playing oldies in the car, teaching me a classic duet by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack” as one of the key moments in her life that shaped her into the woman she is today.

Sol has pug dogs as pets.

Though Sol’s Instagram currently doesn’t feature any photos of her fur babies, she does mention her pugs in her professional bio on her modeling agency’s website. But unfortunately, unlike their mom, the dogs aren’t fans of hiking outdoors.

Today's romance fans have no shortage of ships to swoon over, but it hits a bit harder when the actors' chemistry can even be seen off set. In Prime Video's latest book-to-TV adaptation, Every Year After, rising stars Sadie Soverall and Matt Cornett portray an irresistible second-chance romance. Former childhood besties Percy (Soverall) and Sam (Cornett) spent every summer together in Barry's Bay, until their building romance was interrupted by an irreparable mistake. When Percy returns to mourn a loved one's death, old feelings reemerge and threaten to upend the life that Sam has built without her.

In honor of the series' streaming debut, Soverall and Cornett sat down with Marie Claire to test their friendship with a game of How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?. The pair quickly proved how much they've learned about each other while making the show, as they guessed each other's favorite romance tropes, childhood celebrity crushes, and must-have snacks and sweet treats. Most tellingly, Cornett confirmed that the cast-mate he'd text first—minus Michael Bradway, who he considers his "brother" on- and off-screen—was Soverall. After all, he assured, he's "such a big Sadie Soverall fan."

Watch the full challenge above, then head to Prime Video to watch Every Year After, streaming now.

These days, reality TV is the closest thing we have to a monoculture—especially if you’re tuning into the new seasons of Love Island USA and UK, which have audiences tuning in daily. In both versions, a group of singles is flown to an island (Fiji for USA, Mallorca for UK) and filmed constantly for a six-week stint. During that time, they couple up with fellow contestants and their bonds are tested when new bombshells enter the villa. Fans can also weigh in by voting for who gets to stay and who gets dumped, ultimately crowning a winning couple at the end of the season.

Aside from love blooming in the Fiji villa, one of the most charming aspects of the Love Island franchise is Iain Stirling, the 38-year-old comedian who provides the sassy voiceover narration that pokes fun at the absurdity unfolding. But while Stirling’s voiceover is a crucial part of the Love Island ethos, we very rarely get to see him in the flesh.

So who is this mysterious Scottish jokester? With both Love Island USA season 8 and Love Island UK season 13 airing now, let’s get to know Stirling a little better below.

Iain Stirling dropped out of law school to become a comedian.

Stirling was in his final year of law school at the University of Edinburgh when he discovered comedy. He told The Telegraph that, oddly enough, comedy seemed like the more viable path forward. “I probably wouldn’t be doing comedy if it wasn’t for the fact that I was doing stand-up and getting a few gigs, while I was also applying for law internships and getting absolutely nothing,” he told the newspaper in 2017.

Those stand-up gigs led to him being named one of Scotland’s Hottest Newcomers, and his career soon began to take off. His TV appearances began in children’s television, where he earned a few BAFTA nominations, before he was tapped for Love Island.

Iain Stirling is a podcaster and a Twitch streamer, and is married to Irish actress and presenter Laura Whitmore.

In addition to performing as a stand-up comedian, Stirling has appeared on various TV series, including season 8 of Taskmaster, where he finished as the runner-up, and Celebrity MasterChef: Christmas Cook-Off, which he won. Since 2017, he has operated a Twitch account where he broadcasts himself playing FIFA.

He and his wife, Laura Whitmore, also host a true-crime podcast called "Murder They Wrote," produced by BBC. The couple has been married since 2020 and has two children, their youngest just born in May 2026. (Whitmore is also a Love Island alum; the Irish model and media personality stepped in to replace the late Caroline Flack as Love Island UK host for seasons 6 and 7.)

Iain Stirling didn’t have to audition for the 'Love Island' gig.

All of Stirling’s odd jobs led him to the villa. In 2018, he told the Evening Standard that a clip of his previous voiceover work landed him the job. “I’d done the voiceover for a show called Who Let the Dogs Out with Ashleigh and Pudsey, who were on Britain’s Got Talent. They taught children and their dogs to do tricks,” he explained at the time.

“That’s the clip that got sent to ITV to get me this job, insanely enough. I thought about not taking it because I wanted to get my Edinburgh show in shape. Imagine—I’d be a very bitter man right now,” he added.

Iain Stirling and his writing partner, Mark Busk-Cowley, write the jokes for the 'Love Island' narration.

Stirling explained to The Hollywood Reporter that he and Busk-Cowley (one of Love Island's co-creators) write the show's narration based on rough cuts of episodes, a few days before they air. “Where the voiceover would be, the producers have recorded some temporary voiceover, so we just start writing it,” he told the trade outlet last summer, during season 7 of Love Island USA. “We pause it when we hear a voiceover, put a little time code for where it goes and then just start writing the jokes. We go through act by act and just write them all, record them, send them to the channel.”

For Stirling, Love Island narration allows him to "say the thing that nobody should say." Speaking with Esquire, he added that "with Love Island, I get to say it with my chest … and get a bit naughty with it.”

Due to the semi-live nature of the entire experience, Stirling is also able to weigh in on real-time fan reactions and mishaps in production—like in episode 8, when he commented on the app crashing when the first fan vote opened. “It is scripted, but it is quite loose,” he told USA Insider. “And it is very recently written. The ink has yet to dry on the page.”

He admits to rooting for the cast members who are "slightly ostracized" from the group.

Stirling feels a kindred spirit with the Islanders who don’t fit in because that was his “entire time at high school.” While we don’t yet have his take on the season 8 cast, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he was rooting for Amaya, Huda, and Austin in the seventh season. “It’s funny calling them rejects or oddballs because obviously they’re also incredibly articulate and beautiful people, but by the weird Love Island law that we live in, that’s what they are, I suppose.”

He also admitted that the hardest days for him and his writing team are right after recouplings. “When they’ve all been put into the couples, and you watch them walk off in their own couples, to different parts of the villa and we’re like, ‘Oh, they’re all going to have a little chat now.' Because we know we’ve got to do a joke for every couple as they bounce around the villa.”

Once again, a buzzy summer romance show has arrived on Prime Video and made a cohort of fans fall in love with it. Based on Carley Fortune's 2022 debut novel, Every Summer After, Every Year After follows Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett), who reunite in the picturesque Barry's Bay a decade after a mysterious betrayal torpedoes their teenage friends-to-lovers romance. Alongside the pair's second-chance encounter, the show's eight episodes flesh out some of the original book's supporting characters, from Percy's best friends Chantal (Aurora Perrineau) and Delilah (Abigail Cowen) to Sam's older brother Charlie (Michael Bradway).

Although Percy and Sam's time in the spotlight has seemingly come to an end, fear not: Fortune has written another book set within the Every Year After universe, so there's ample source material to pull from.

If you've already torn through the first season and are itching to return to Barry's Bay, you're not alone. Keep reading to find out everything we know about a potential Every Year After season 2 so far, including which character is poised to become the show's new romantic lead.

Has 'Every Year After' been renewed for season 2?

Summer isn't over yet! In late June 2026, at Prime Video's Obsessed Fest, the streamer confirmed a season 2 renewal for Every Year After. Not only that, Prime Video confirmed that the upcoming episodes will adapt the next book in Fortune's Barry's Bay series: One Golden Summer. Considering that major cliffhanger (more on that below!), book fans had speculated as soon as they binged season 1 that the next novel was bound to be adapted.

Showrunner Amy B. Harris also shared a statement about the good news in a press release. She said, "The response to Every Year After has been truly extraordinary, underscoring the universal appeal of Carley Fortune’s storytelling and the deep connection audiences have formed with the world of Barry’s Bay."

Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios, added, “We’re incredibly grateful to Carley, Amy B. Harris, our exceptional cast and creative team, and the passionate fans who have embraced this series around the globe. We’re excited to return to Barry’s Bay and bring audiences another deeply emotional and unforgettable chapter.”

What's more? Harris has also alluded to the show running long past season 2. Of course only a second installment is on the table right now, but it's possible there's more to come down the line. "I see five seasons," she told Entertainment Weekly when season 1 hit streaming. "Obviously, there’s another book that’s connected to Barry’s Bay that I think will be a very exciting blueprint for us for a potential season 2."

Which Carley Fortune book will 'Every Year After' season 2 adapt?

Every Year After season 2 will adapt Carley Fortune's 2025 book, One Golden Summer. The romance novel, also set in Barry's Bay, follows Sam's brother, Charlie (Michael Bradway). Meaning, that's right: He does, in fact, survive season 1's shocking cliffhanger!

Over the course of One Golden Summer, Charlie falls in love with photographer Alice Everly, who returns to Barry's Bay years after taking a photo there that changed the course of her life. And yes, that photo just so happens to be the snapshot of Charlie, Percy, and Sam that Charlie sees at the end of the season 1 finale.

During a recent Teen Vogue interview, Bradway teased that the cast and crew crafted his character's season 1 storyline with One Golden Summer in mind. "There were definitely things that we did in the first season that we were intentional about," the actor told the outlet. "[We] made sure that Charlie acted a certain way [in relationships] because we knew that Alice was going to be coming next season."

What will 'Every Year After' season 2 be about?

While Charlie and Alice's romance will drive season 2's plot, Harris also plans to continue fleshing out the stories of the rest of the Every Year After characters.

"We intentionally built out the ensemble because I think we can tell lots of stories with our main characters," she told Deadline. "Obviously, Sam and Percy are our love story, the one we were following this season, but to me, the love triangle between Jordie, Chantal, and Delilah has much more to explore."

During an interview with Elle, Harris pointed out that this broader interest in the show's ensemble is part of what inspired the choice to rename the show rather than use the original book title, Every Summer After. "The book is obviously Every Summer After and takes place during the summer, and the first season does take place in the summer," she said. "But what I was intrigued by is that it isn't just every summer that [these characters] have been...dealing with the ramifications of their behavior. That doesn't just affect your summers...I've been thinking a lot about the next season [of the show], and wanting there to be a fall, a winter, a spring."

Which cast members will return for 'Every Year After' season 2?

You can expect all of season 1's major players to return, including Michael Bradway as Charlie, Sadie Soverall as Percy, Matt Cornett as Sam, Aurora Perrineau as Chantal, Abigail Cowen as Delilah, and Joseph Chiu as Jordie.

Although Elisha Cuthbert's character, Sue, died in season 1, she could still appear in flashbacks.

Meanwhile, season 2 will introduce a major new character: Alice Everly, the show's new female romantic lead and Charlie's eventual love interest. The word is still out on who will play her, so start your fan casts now.

When will 'Every Year After' season 2 come out?

It's unclear when season 2 will premiere. However, we can look at the season 1 timeline for an idea; the show was originally ordered in summer 2024, and by mid-summer 2025, the series was cast and began production. Season 2 was renewed in late June 2026—though the showrunner seemed to have an idea that it was a possibility and a plan for what to bring to the screen next. So, if the writers get back to work ASAP, it's possible filming could pick up in time to shoot before the summer weather is totally through. But a more likely timeline may be for filming to begin next spring. Depending on production timing, hopefully we'll be back in Barry's Bay sometime in 2027.

We'll keep this story updated as more information becomes available. In the meantime, you can get the show's source material, Every Summer After and One Golden Summer, on Bookshop.

This article contains major spoilers for season 1 of Every Year After. Like many buzzy romance shows, Prime Video's Every Year After started as a book. More specifically, the first season is an adaptation of author Carley Fortune's 2022 debut novel, Every Summer After.

Both versions follow Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) across two timelines. One tracks how the childhood best friends became each other's first loves over several summers. The other takes place a decade later, as the two reunite after a mysterious period of estrangement has derailed their relationship.

Although many of the story's major plot beats are the same, Every Year After also makes some adaptive changes to flesh out Barry's Bay, the picturesque lake town that Percy and Sam call home. Read on as we break down the major differences between Every Year After and the original book.

Why is the title of 'Every Year After' different from the book, 'Every Summer After?'

Although Every Year After adapts Fortune’s 2022 novel Every Summer After, the show title is obviously different.

During a recent Variety interview, Fortune shared that there were “a lot of conversations” about the decision. “There were a lot of conversations about it,” she said. “The feeling was that Every Year After opened it up to live beyond the book. And it was one of those things that in an adaptation, things just change when other people come into the mix.”

Although it's too soon to say, here's to hoping that means many more seasons could be in store.

How does Barry's Bay from 'Every Summer After' to 'Every Year After?'

Both the show and movie are set in the idyllic Canadian lake town of Barry's Bay, although the setting differs slightly from the page to screen. Fortune famously writes her love stories in her native Canada, and in the book, Barry's Bay is supposed to be in Ontario's cottage country—and is, in fact, a real place. However, in the Prime Video series, it's been fictionalized to be on the opposite side of the country in British Columbia. To account for the switch-up, Percy also hails from Seattle, Washington, not Toronto. (In real life, the show was shot on Bowen Island, an island outside of Vancouver.)

How does Percy's job in 'Every Year After' differ from the book?

In the book, adult Percy works alongside her best friend, Chantal (Aurora Perrineau), as a senior editor at a home decor magazine. However, in the show, she finds herself writing local obituaries.

“[It’s] one of the few things newspapers still need writers for,” she says in the series premiere. “It pays the bills.”

Percy’s death-centered job takes on a more personal note when she discovers that her former parental figure, Sue Florek (Elisha Cuthbert), has died.

How was Percy and Sam's first kiss changed from the book in 'Every Year After?'

In Every Year After, Percy and Sam’s first kiss is a little later in the story’s timeline. The book characters kiss in summer 2013 after watching The Blair Witch Project during a sleepover, prompting a terrified Percy to open up about her crush on Sam.

Meanwhile, in the show, the duo don’t kiss until the next summer, while Sam is teaching Percy a steamy anatomy lesson.

Is the love triangle between Jordie, Chantal, and Delilah in 'Every Year After' in the book?

Chantal barely appears on the page in Every Summer After, since the book's Percy returns to Barry’s Bay solo. However, in the show, a recently engaged Chantal accompanies Percy to the lake town for Sue’s memorial. There, she finds herself falling for Sam’s best friend Jordie (Joseph Chiu). At the same time, Percy’s childhood BFF Delilah (Abigail Cowen) is also harboring feelings for him (while in a less-than-happy marriage with Sam's brother Charlie).

No matter which couple you’re rooting for, we’re in uncharted territory, since Jordie, Chantal, and Delilah’s love triangle is entirely a show invention.

How does Delilah change from 'Every Summer After' to 'Every Year After?'

Many of the book characters are expanded on-screen, including Percy's childhood best friend Delilah who's changed extensively. In the book, she attends the same college as Sam but is not a part of the present timeline, as she and Percy have drifted apart. In the show, however, she's changed to wound up in an unhappy marriage (resulting in a show-original affair with Charlie). Her being a wealthy, local fixture is also unique to the series, and leads to her want for The Tavern—none of which happens on the page because it doesn't continue her storyline into adulthood.

Her character is changed in the past, as well. The arc about her becoming pregnant and having an abortion as a teenager is only in the show and comes up as Percy reflects upon their youth.

Why were flashbacks involving Sue added to 'Every Year After?'

Although Sue’s death is the inciting incident that sends Percy back to Barry’s Bay in the adult timeline, she’s not a present character in Every Summer After. Yet in Every Year After, she’s a major character in the flashback timeline, playing a major role in Percy’s adolescence.

Showrunner Amy B. Harris told Deadline that casting Canadian actress and '00s icon Elisha Cuthbert as Sue inspired her and the other writers to expand the character’s role in the series. “We weren’t sure how much we would use [Sue] until Elisha signed on,” Harris said. “At first it was going to be touches, and then once I knew we could get her, I was like, ‘Oh, good, I get to write really meaty material,’ because she’s here for it and can do it.”

Why was Percy inheriting The Tavern added to 'Every Year After?'

Once Percy arrives back in Barry’s Bay, she’s given a reason to stay when she discovers that Sue has left her local business, The Tavern, to her. Harris told Deadline that this show invention came from Every Year After’s writers fleshing out Percy and Sue’s relationship.

“I added the stuff about The Tavern, and what I kept thinking about when we were coming up with that storyline was that Sue really understood Percy,” she said. “That scene with the tiara and the tutu, when Percy says, ‘I don’t know if I can handle the crown,’ and Sue says, ‘You’re going to need to learn, because my boys aren’t going to want to'—to me, that was as much about the tavern and this life in Barry’s Bay that her boys weren’t necessarily going to hold on to. She knew that, but I think she also understood Percy really needed that.”

What did Percy do to hurt Sam in 'Every Summer After' vs. the show?

It's eventually revealed that Percy and Sam became estranged after Sam discovered that Percy slept with Charlie (Michael Bradway) during a tumultuous period of their relationship. In the book, Charlie tells Sam and Sue about his hook-up with Percy mere months after it happened.

That’s not the case in the show, in which Sam doesn’t learn the truth until years later. During episode 5, Sam attempts to rekindle his relationship with Percy in the adult timeline—and only then does he discover what went down between her and his brother.

How does the 'Every Summer After' book end in comparison to 'Every Year After?'

As it turns out, Every Year After doesn't necessarily adapt all of Every Summer After. It leaves fans swooning just enough and seems to tease that there's more to come from Percy and Sam's story—which is what's left on the page at the end of the book. Both the novel and drama pick up a year after Sue's memorial. The show hints that the former flame has spent months apart, but now they're both in better places, and may be open to exploring a new chapter. Whereas on the page, the time jump has led the two to being in a relationship and living together in Toronto. With Percy and Sam's will-they-won't-they wide open, we definitely have reason to believe there's more to come between them.

Not only that, the final cliffhanger involving Charlie—in which he has such a strong reaction to looking at an old photograph that he appears to have a medical emergency—isn't in Every Summer After. The incident occurs in One Golden Summer, the sequel, which follows his romance. The show certainly implies it hopes to adapt that love story next, but we'll let you pick up the book in the meantime to know Charlie's fate before then.

When Amanda Batula and West Wilson stepped onto the stage at the Summer House season 10 reunion, it soon became clear that the reality TV special would disappoint fans. Over three weeks, there was no real reckoning for Amanda and West’s controversial romance, as the pair’s emotionless affect and perceived lack of remorse meant there was no resolution, especially regarding Amanda’s betrayal of her “most loving, loyal friend,” Ciara Miller. But really, I should have known that Summer House was never going to dissect the duplicity to the extent that Ciara deserves.

Like most non-watchers who binged the Bravo hit after Amanda and West went public, I spent the past two-plus months rooting for Ciara to get her moment of retribution. For the past five seasons of Summer House, Ciara has been one of Amanda’s biggest supporters; she defended Amanda in arguments with her ex-husband Kyle Cooke and held Amanda’s hand through everything from identity crises to fertility issues. Ciara’s place in “Scamanda” also hit me, and countless other Black women, on a deeper level: We immediately understood the added layer of Amanda being white and Ciara being Black. While the average non-Black Bravo fan is experienced in sidestepping issues of race, Black women have kept their feet on necks since March 31, in hopes that the reunion would actually significantly address the elephant in the room.

But we were inevitably disappointed. Race seldom came up throughout the three-part reunion, and only when brought up by Ciara, Mia Calabrese, and KJ Dillard, the Black members of the cast. Early in part 2, host Andy Cohen asked Ciara to reflect on her discussion of the blowback she’s faced for publicly dating white men, in episode 7 of season 10. Ciara responded by astutely putting words to several dynamics Black women experience in interracial relationships: the mental toll of having your reaction to microaggressions be met with “it’s not that deep;” the patronizing insult of friends using therapy talk to placate instead of actually hearing you; the soul-need for your friends to acknowledge and empathize with your full humanity as someone experiencing racial prejudice.

But Cohen didn’t ask her any follow-up questions. After he turned to Amanda and West with a weak “Any response?” race was dropped, and the focus returned to Amanda’s self-victimization.

Summer House has had conversations about race before. While they’ve been rare, they’ve also been impactful: Ciara having Mya Allen’s back about experiencing microaggressions in the house in season 6; Mya and Gabby Prescod’s season 8 discussion about racial prejudice in dating; and Ciara, Mia, and KJ’s many intra-cultural talks in season 10. But as Ciara pointed out during the reunion, the non-Black cast members can pretend to be engaged, while mentally detaching from what’s being said. The purpose of reunions is to reflect on the show’s pivotal moments, when the cast can (ideally) employ distance, hindsight, and new information. Not only did Ciara have little distance from the betrayal she experienced in her friendship, but she was also tasked with demanding accountability from Amanda in the right way: not too spirited, not too harsh, not harping on the “race card.”

Since the reunion, Ciara opened up to Harper’s Bazaar about how “fucking tired” she is of having to be “strategic” in anticipating others’ reactions to her pain. “I have to maintain face, like, ‘Oh, this hurt my feelings, but I can’t even really express why it hurt my feelings, because people think that I’m going to bring up the race card, and everyone’s going to get all freaked out and then immediately not hear what I have to say.’”

Ciara has exhausted herself bringing these much-needed conversations to reality TV, and it shouldn’t be all on her, or Mia, or KJ, or future Black Summer House stars to keep them going. The season 10 reunion was a clear example of what happens when non-Black people don’t do their part in continuing the discussion. When Ciara is too heated or too emotional to tiptoe around white people’s feelings, that doesn’t mean that the subject of race should be dropped. It means that everyone else needs to be the support system that they claim to be, by putting aside their knee-jerk deflection when faced with racial discomfort, and actively listening when their Black friends ask for what they need. Ciara, her Black costars, and the Black Bravo fandom have been fighting for deeper conversations about race—now it’s time for the network to full send it.

Love Island USA season 8 is fully underway on Peacock, which means we’ll be spending our summer dissecting every romantic gesture, offhanded remark, bombshell entrance, and cast departure. For those still getting acquainted, Love Island USA is a reality dating competition airing almost every night (they take Wednesdays off) from now through the end of July. Singles on the show form connections with each other at a remote villa in Fiji, which are then tested nightly through physical and emotional challenges and the new suitors who enter the villa.

Celebrities ranging from Kat Dennings to Tyler Hilton are tuning into the now-airing season 8, and the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Megan Thee Stallion, and Margot Robbie have admitted their fandom for previous seasons and the original UK version. And if you, like them, are looking for someone to talk to about all the drama unfolding daily, look no further than the companion talk show Love Island USA: Aftersun (not to be confused with the touching 2022 Paul Mescal film of the same name).

Here’s what you can expect from the talk show, including the format and the buzzy new hosts. (And if you're looking for the season 8 Islander's Instagrams, the current couple standings, or how to vote, we've got you covered.)

What is 'Love Island USA: Aftersun?'

Originally launched via the U.K. franchise, Aftersun is an after-show and space to dissect the drama that just unfolded, hear from dumped Islanders, and see exclusive never-before-seen clips from the previous week. Occasionally, the series will also feature celebrity panelists and contestants from previous seasons who dissect what's going on. Think of it like a video podcast that parses the details of everything that transpired in the villa, with the chance of seeing some of those outspoken celebrity fans.

Who hosts 'Love Island USA: Aftersun?'

Peacock and Love Island USA have officially pulled two new hosts for a chat! Summer House’s Ciara Miller and content creator and The Cut advice columnist Tefi Pessoa will be the new faces of the talk show, taking over from Love Island UK and Traitors alum Maura Higgins. Ariana Madix, of Vanderpump Rules fame, still hosts the main series.

When does 'Love Island USA: Aftersun' air?

Starting Saturday, June 13, Love Island USA: Aftersun will air every Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT) on Peacock. Love Island USA will continue to air every other night, except Wednesdays.

Is it worth tuning into 'Love Island USA: Aftersun?'

Fans are mixed about how much the after-show really adds to the series, but are generally willing to give it a chance. And with Ciara—fresh off her standing-ovation-worthy performance at the Summer House reunion—and Tefi by her side, it’s worth seeing how they freshen up the talk show.

Hannah Berner has perfected the art of the overshare.

Spend even a few minutes consuming the comedian and podcaster's content—whether on social media, on stage, or on her and best friend Paige DeSorbo’s hit podcast “Giggly Squad,”—and you'll quickly pick up deeply intimate details about her life. Her bowel movements. Her underwear preferences. The McDonald's order that nearly made her miss a flight. The exact conversation she had with her mom that morning.

But unlike the many creators spinning Internet fame into mainstream careers, for the 34-year-old, access isn’t a means to an end or a tool for influence. It is the product itself. Vulnerability, she says, is her “superpower.”

"My job is to be myself and put myself out there and, not to get too deep, but try to make people less alone," she tells Marie Claire during a whirlwind week that includes filming a still-under-wraps acting project (separate from the scripted Netflix series she's developing with DeSorbo, Amy Poehler, and Kay Cannon) and presenting at the American Music Awards alongside fellow reality TV vet Lisa Rinna.

Berner doubles down on that philosophy in her second comedy special, None of My Business, now streaming on Hulu. Across the hour, she mines everything from sexting disasters and body insecurities to the increasingly complicated question of whether she wants children—and how that decision intersects with her ambitions, her career, and a husband (comedian Des Bishop) who is 16 years older than she is. The result is a set that’s both fearlessly personal and surprisingly universal, as if Berner is the inner voice of a generation that processes life's biggest questions in real time and often online.

"It takes a lot for me to be embarrassed," she says. "I purposely talk about not shaving my legs above my knee, me sweating, and awkward situations I get in; I think it normalizes being human and a multifaceted woman."

So when Berner appears on Zoom from a Los Angeles hotel room, bedhead and all, it feels reasonable to assume there isn't much left to uncover. Yet away from the rapid-fire punchlines, she's more measured than expected—still warm, giggly, and disarmingly candid, but also intentional about the business of being herself. Here, she talks about building a comedy career in public, navigating fame without losing herself, the friendship-powered empire she's built with DeSorbo, and the Summer House scandal that continues to reverberate across the Bravoverse.

Marie Claire: Your comedy special is called None of My Business, but as a Giggler, I feel like I know all of your business. As your platform's grown, how do you navigate what parts of yourself to protect?

HB: Number one is protecting the family—not to be so Italian. I learned early in my career that other people didn't sign up for public access and also that not everyone has a sense of humor—if you make a joke about something, people can take it seriously. When I bring up my family or my husband in public, I make sure it's either really, really hilarious and worth the joke or I don't. I never talk about my marriage, and that's probably the number one thing that I think is really healthy.

MC: Hannah-the-person and Hannah-the-character feel closely linked, but do you feel there’s a distinction between you and that public perception of you?

HB: It's been really hard for me to be PR trained. I'm still not good at it because I just believe in honesty. I do think, though, why my comedy connects with people is because people want to feel like they're just FaceTiming their friends. And I also never tried to replicate a different comedic voice because I've done reality TV, because I've done sketches online, I yearned to be myself.

MC: There’s a common saying with comics: the first special's easy to write because it's a lifetime worth of material, but with second specials, you have to start from scratch. How did working on this one compare to your first special on Netflix, We Ride at Dawn?

HB: You feel like you won a Super Bowl when your special comes out, and then you have to learn how to play football again because you literally have zero jokes. [This time around] I was going to the clubs being like, "Are cankles funny?" I literally started from nothing. And you wonder, Was I funny because I'd written these jokes that I know work, or am I just good at performing?

I was able to realize I knew my voice even more. I was insecure [in the beginning], and my husband, who's done like a trillion specials, was like, “It's always scary in the beginning.” But I love this hour so much. It's almost sad to have to burn it and not be able to tour it anymore.

MC: What’s your typical writing process?

HB: I was lucky that after the Netflix special came out, I went on tour with “Giggly Squad.” So I didn't have pressure to be coming up with jokes every day. But I do think hanging out with your friends, like when you're riffing with them, you see where there's something. So if I make someone laugh really hard, whatever I said, I write it down. If Paige starts dying laughing at something, there's something there. Sometimes, also, I'll say a story on “Giggly Squad” that will cause a lot of reaction where people DM me, and I'll think, Okay, let's expand that on stage. I'm like a dog sniffing around, just trying to collect stuff, and then when I'm finally ready to start putting it together, I take all of my notes, and I start to combine themes, and write it out, and then you don't know if it's all crap or any of it's good until you go on stage.

MC: You've also earned so many celebrity fans like Nikki Glaser, Chelsea Handler, and Amy Poehler. Is there someone's opinion, whether in that group or otherwise, who still makes you nervous? Or whose feedback matters more on jokes?

HB: Comedians are so insecure because, well, if the people don't laugh, they are the judges. So I don't care how much you can intellectualize the bit; I'm like, “If the crowd didn't laugh, the crowd didn't laugh.”

But also just being able to like make those comedians laugh in conversation is my favorite. Having Chelsea or Nikki make fun of me, that's my favorite. The fact that they're shooting the shit and busting my balls is an honor and a privilege. To be around these women and be able to ask questions and see how their brain works is really, really, really cool.

MC: In the special, you're also very candid about motherhood and deciding if you should or shouldn’t have kids. Going into this, did you feel any pressure about how you were presenting that journey?

HB: I honestly was going in purely with curiosity of, I'm touring the country, speaking to women all over the country, I want to do some control groups. And every single show, I would have women debate, “should I, should I not [have kids]?” And I'd tell them my fears, and it was therapeutic for me.

One of my favorite lines of the special is, “I can't just have a baby and leave it at home and go on tour. I'm not a male comedian.” Because I see fellow male comics who are my age and they're like, "Oh, I wanna have a kid." And I'm like, "Yeah, but that's not gonna affect you how it's gonna affect me." And I'm competitive, and I see the career path, and I like to call that out. So I kind of just use it to say all my intrusive thoughts and questions, but I feel like anyone, whether you're a mom or not a mom, relates.

MC: I want to ask about Paige because she is such a big part of your life and your career. You guys have built such a brand off your friendship, but how has monetizing the friendship changed it?

HB: We really haven't changed our “business.” I put it in quotations because it's me, Paige, and Grace [Battle Thompson, executive producer]—who really runs the show—and it's an extremely small team. Yes, more people know who we are, but we're just doing what we've always done. I think it's been really beneficial because she's always had her own stuff, and I've always had my own stuff, so we've never needed “Giggly Squad.” It's always been a choice.

It's been able to be this passion project that has ended up being financially really worth it. But because we never went into it for that reason, it's been able to stay consistent, because you can tell we're not doing money grabs with it. Like, we purposely don't make Gigglers pay for our Substack. We only release merch that we're obsessed with. We just want to have this fun community.

MC: Do you guys have any rules around conflict, like couples might, where you say, "This issue we're having is going to stay private," or is everything fair game because it makes you relatable?

HB: I honestly have to thank reality TV because we were put through the wringer. They did everything they could to rip our friendship apart. I can't tell you the things behind the scenes that happened to, like, literally end our friendship [and] we fought against the system. Bravo doesn't want two women to love each other—that's just not good TV.

So I think surviving television drama made our friendship so strong and our communication so strong. Even on the show, we had one or two tiffs that when we had to make up, we couldn't stop laughing, and they were like, "This is horrible TV. You guys are just not giving us what we need." And I'm like, "Because I'm not actually mad at her." So because we've forgiven and overcome difficult things, now when it’s like, "Oh, do you wanna do this video for Dunkin' or this video for Dunkin'?" It's not life or death.

But also, I do have to say we got lucky that creatively we work really well together in that I'm a little more type A with how I want things to be. And Paige is really good at narrowing down all my ideas. She's really good at saying no to things. In a meeting, we can finish each other's sentences.

Our number one thing is making sure the other one's never uncomfortable. So, sometimes teams could be arguing about something, and I'm like, "I'm calling Paige." And Paige is like, "Yeah, let's figure this out, me and you." Because we actually love each other.

MC: Speaking of Bravo, did you watch the Summer House reunion?

HB: I'm not because I have something called PTSD. Ciara’s keeping me in the know. So I'm getting it from the source.

MC: There is a fan theory that you and Paige were a part of how Ciara caught West and Amanda dating because you both hired a PI. Can you confirm or deny this rumor?

HB: I'll just say that we were there for [Ciara], emotionally.

MC: People are rewatching old seasons, and there's a lot of "justice for Hannah" discourse now. Is it satisfying for you to see people reassessing you on the show? Or would you actually rather people leave it in the past because you've moved on?

HB: Reality TV is so crazy. You see this happen with a lot of shows where people realize we did what the storyline wanted us to do, but now that we have more information, we know that it was actually different than what was shown. So I think it's cool for people to understand some of the tricks of reality TV. It's like WWE for people to be like, "Wait, she actually wasn't the worst in this situation.” So I think it's funny.

MC: I also want to ask about your project with Amy Poehler. What can you tease about it?

HB: We're writing. We're trying to figure it out. I feel like I'm a sponge trying to learn everything I can from Amy. So Paige and I are, it feels like, [in] graduate school for TV. I always say, I love keeping the Gigglers and the gays fed, so I just wanna make the best, funniest show for them. Just know if we're quiet, it's because we're working hard to do it.

MC: Stand-up and acting aren’t exactly the same thing, and reality TV is so different. Does working on this scratch a different itch or did it feel like a really natural extension?

HB: It feels natural in terms of they give us a scenario, like, “Let's say you and Paige were in Walgreens, what would you do?” and I'm like, "I'll tell you exactly what we do and what we'd say." So it's cool that we kind of already know our characters in a way, but we're changing it a bit because it is fictional. But creatively, I want to be doing different things. So acting has been on my vision board. Back in the day, stand-up comedians, if you were good enough, you'd get your own series or your own movie. So I think deep down, I always wanted to act, but I just didn't think it was possible. Stand-up was, like, the thing that you could do without waiting to get picked.

MC: Are you taking acting classes or are you learning on the ground from Amy?

HB: We will be taking acting classes for this show. We cannot disappoint the Gigglers. Paige is already researching and stuff, so don't worry: We are gonna take acting classes to act more like ourselves. I always joke that Paige is an incredible actress if you've ever seen Summer House. She should win an Oscar. Some of her one-liners and reactions are just incredible. So I have a lot of confidence in her.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

From The Summer I Turned Pretty to Off Campus, Prime Video has become the go-to streamer for the next big book-to-screen romance series. This summer is no exception, as viewers can look forward to a brand-new second-chance romance tale—courtesy of Every Year After.

Based on Carley Fortune's 2022 novel Every Summer After, the series follows childhood best friends Percy (Sadie Soverall) and Sam (Matt Cornett) as they become each other's first loves, only to be torn apart for the next decade. When they finally reunite, old feelings and past secrets surface in the picturesque vacation town of Barry's Bay.

Before you dive into the show, which premieres on June 10, here's everything to know about the cast of Every Year After.

Sadie Soverall as Percy Fraser

As a teenager, Every Year After heroine Persephone “Percy” Fraser spends her summers in Barry’s Bay. Over the course of several years, her friendship with boy-next-door Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) blossoms into young love. Years later, an adult Percy returns for Florek family matriarch Sue’s funeral, forcing her to reconnect with Sam years after a mysterious, devastating breakup tore them apart.

Sadie Soverall, 24, is a British actress best known for playing Beatrice in the Netflix series Fate: The Winx Saga. You might also recognize her from her role as one of the ex-lovers of Jacob Elordi’s character, Felix, in Emerald Fennell’s 2023 thriller Saltburn.

Sadie Soverall's Instagram: @sadiesoverall

Matt Cornett as Sam Florek

Every Year After leading man Sam Florek had a formative, ill-fated summer romance with his best friend, Percy, as a teenager. Today, he’s a doctor grieving his mother and dating a pediatric surgeon. Sparks between Percy and Sam inevitably fly when she returns to Barry’s Bay, but will they end up back together?

Matt Cornett, 27, came to fame as perfectionist theater kid E.J. in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Other acting credits include Zombies 3, Summer of 69, and Minimum Wage.

Matt Cornett's Instagram: @mattcornett

Aurora Perrineau as Chantal

Chantal is Percy’s best friend in adulthood. A straight-laced lawyer, Chantal’s decision to accompany Percy back to Barry’s Bay might help her find herself outside of her demanding job.

Aurora Perrineau, 31, is an actress and model best known for playing Shana in the 2015 live-action film adaptation of Jem and the Holograms. Perrineau has also appeared in the horror-thriller Truth or Dare, as well as shows like Westworld and When They See Us.

Aurora Perrineau's Instagram: @auroraperrineau

Abigail Cowen as Delilah

Delilah is Percy’s childhood best friend.

Abigail Cowen, 28, previously appeared alongside Soverall in Fate: The Winx Saga, playing protagonist Bloom Peters. The actress told Teen Vogue that working together on a previous show helped them capture Delilah and Percy’s close-knit dynamic. “[Sadie is] like a sister to me, which was cool to play because Delilah and Percy were like sisters when they were young,” Cowen said. “When they’re young, Delilah’s this firecracker, free-spirit girl, and Percy’s more internal and quiet. Delilah pushes her outside of her comfort zone. And in adulthood, Percy actually pushes Delilah out of her comfort zone to eventually confront her own demons.”

Cowen can also be seen as Vicki in Stranger Things and as Dorcas in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Abigail Cowen’s Instagram: @abbeycowen

Michael Bradway as Charlie Florek

Charlie Florek is Sam's older brother. After befriending a teenage Percy, Charlie later follows his dying mother's request to reach out to her, prompting her long-awaited return to Barry's Bay.

Michael Bradway, 27, previously portrayed Jack Damon on the NBC drama Chicago Fire. Additionally, he can be seen in Marked Men and Safe House.

Michael Bradway’s Instagram: @michaelbradway_

Joseph Chiu as Jordie

Jordie is Sam’s best friend. Although he also grew up with Percy, Jordie initially pretends not to know his BFF's ex when she returns to Barry's Bay. How's that for friend loyalty?

Joseph Chiu, 24, booked his first major role as Spider in the 2025 Netflix horror film Fear Street: Prom Queen. Although he’s still a relative newcomer, he’s already booked TV appearances in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and The Miniature Wife.

Joseph Chiu's Instagram: @josephchiu0812

Elisha Cuthbert as Sue Florek

Sue isn’t just Sam and Charlie’s mom. She’s also a key figure in young Percy’s teenage years. When Sue dies of lymphoma, it’s her death that prompts Percy to return to Barry’s Bay and reconnect with the Floreks years later.

Elisha Cuthbert, 43, rose to fame as a scream queen with roles in 2000s horror films like Captivity, House of Wax, and The Quiet. More recently, she played Abby Phillips in four seasons of the Netflix comedy The Ranch.

Elisha Cuthbert's Instagram: @elishaphaneuf

If you love Every Year After and can't get enough of the Barry's Bay world, you can buy Every Summer After at Bookshop.

Back in the ‘70s—way before Twilight and True Blood got a new generation hooked on stories of sexy, brooding blood-suckers—prolific author Anne Rice ignited a vampire fever with Interview with the Vampire, the first book in her Vampire Chronicles series. A dozen more novels—plus a few spinoffs and crossover stories—followed over the course of more than 40 years. And though the paranormal book series is definitively complete following Rice’s 2021 death, it’s proven itself just as immortal as its main characters, finding new life in recent years as a prestige drama TV series on AMC that’s earned widespread critical acclaim and been praised for its depiction of queer characters and racial tensions.

The long-awaited third season arrives this summer, with a name change from Interview with the Vampire to The Vampire Lestat as it shifts focus from the first book in the series to its sequel. Whether you want to catch up on the source material before diving into the show or you’ve already sunk your teeth in and need more Louis and Lestat, read on for a full guide to The Vampire Chronicles book series.

What is 'The Vampire Chronicles' book series about?

With the core collection spanning 13 lengthy books, The Vampire Chronicles series covers quite a bit of ground. At the center of it all is Lestat de Lioncourt, a French nobleman who was turned into a vampire in the 1700s. The series starts with Interview with the Vampire, as he tells the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, whom he made into a vampire.

We get Lestat’s autobiography in Book 2, The Vampire Lestat, culminating in his tenure as a rock star in the 1980s—the attention from which he’s hoping will reunite him with old friends and stir up some drama between humans and vampires. The next three books—The Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the Body Thief, and Memnoch the Devil—see Lestat fighting a major threat to the vampire community, grappling with his loneliness and lack of humanity, and coming into close contact with the devil.

Books 5 through 10 further build out Lestat’s world, both with and without him as a main character. We dive deep into the life stories of several familiar faces, including prominent vampires Marius and Armand, and see the universe expand to include characters from Rice’s witchy series, the Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy.

Though Rice initially meant for Lestat’s saga to end with the 10th Vampire Chronicles book, 2003’s Blood Canticle, she resurrected him once again a decade later. Between 2014 and 2018, she published three final books in the series: Prince Lestat, Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis, and Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat. The final installments begin as the vampire emerges from exile and attempts to calm widespread chaos by stepping up as leader of the vampire community.

Which books from 'The Vampire Chronicles' series have been adapted for the screen so far?

AMC’s critically adored TV series debuted in 2022 as Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and kept that title for 2024's season 2 as well. Those initial 15 episodes bring to life the events of the first novel in The Vampire Chronicles, with Game of Thrones alum Jacob Anderson as Louis and Australian actor Sam Reid portraying Lestat.

Starting with the third season, which premiered on June 7, the show has been renamed Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat and will dig into the eponymous second book in Rice’s series. The new installment will reportedly also tie in The Queen of the Damned.

Meanwhile, AMC is also adapting Rice’s Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy, the titular characters of which feature heavily in the Vampire Chronicles books. Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches is now two seasons in, with a third currently in production. Both shows are part of AMC’s Immortal Universe based on Rice’s vast bibliography.

So far, the Immortal Universe also includes another series: Talamasca: The Secret Order, which debuted in fall 2025 and focuses on an organization that crops up in both the Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches books and is tasked with investigating and monitoring supernatural communities.

It's still early days, but in 2025, AMC revealed that an adaptation of Memnoch the Devil is also in development at the network. Lestat is still the main character in the fifth novel of the series, though without The Vampire Lestat renewed for additional seasons, it's unclear whether the Book 5 adaptation will be another installment, a spinoff, or a new show entirely.

Elsewhere, before The Vampire Chronicles got the prestige TV treatment, Interview with the Vampire was first brought to the screen as a 1994 film starring Tom Cruise as Lestat, Brad Pitt as Louis, and Kirsten Dunst as Claudia, a young girl-turned-vampire who becomes something of a daughter to the pair. (In the series, she's portrayed by Bailey Bass and Delainey Hayles.)

In 2002, a movie combining elements from both The Vampire Lestat and The Queen of the Damned—taking its title from the latter—premiered with Stuart Townsend as Lestat and Aaliyah as Akasha, the original vampire in Rice’s books.

How do I read 'The Vampire Chronicles' books in order?

Here are all 13 of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles books, from 1976’s Interview with the Vampire to 2018’s Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat:

• Interview With the Vampire (1976)
• The Vampire Lestat (1985)
• The Queen of the Damned (1988)
• The Tale of the Body Thief (1992)
• Memnoch the Devil (1995)
• The Vampire Armand (1998)
• Merrick (2000)
• Blood and Gold (2001)
• Blackwood Farm (2002)
• Blood Canticle (2003)
• Prince Lestat (2014)
• Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis (2016)
• Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat (2018)

Are there any spinoffs to 'The Vampire Chronicles' series?

Yes! About halfway through writing The Vampire Chronicles series, in 1998 and 1999, Rice published two more books that further flesh out the universe but can stand alone and don’t directly impact the plot of the main series. This New Tales of the Vampire series comprises Pandora and Vittorio, the Vampire. Pandora tells the story of the titular vampire, who has known Marius for centuries and crops up as a side character in Lestat’s 1980s timeline. Vittorio, the Vampire, meanwhile, is an autobiography of yet another centuries-old vampire. His story, however, doesn't crossover with the main characters of The Vampire Chronicles books.

And, while technically not direct spinoffs of the Vampire Chronicles books, Rice’s three Lives of the Mayfair Witches novels do take place in the same universe as and star characters that feature heavily in the vampire-focused series. They include 1990’s The Witching Hour, 1993’s Lasher, and 1994’s Taltos.

24-year-old Kenzie Annis is one of the original Islanders on the Love Island USA season 8—and of the OG cast, she’s had one of the more tumultuous romantic arcs. After first pairing with Zach Georgiou in the premiere, she was soon left single when he opted to leave her for bombshell Kayda Bosse. Kenzie then explored her connection with police officer Sean Reifel and two new bombshells, Gabriel Vasconcelos and Corbin Mims. Though briefly on the brink of elimination, Kenzie pairs with Corbin in the season’s fifth episode, which in turn resulted in Sean leaving the island.

Though she expressed remorse in leaving Sean vulnerable, she’s soon distracted by the latest bombshell to enter the villa in episode 6: Caleb McDaniel from North Carolina. While we wait to see whether she stays with Corbin or moves on to Caleb, let’s get to know the Kennesaw, Georgia native a little better.

Kenzie just graduated from nursing school.

Kenzie, whose real name is Mackenzie, posted a celebratory Instagram on May 17, 2026, announcing she could now “add ‘BSN’ to her name.” She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a nursing degree and posed with her friends and family in scrubs in an Instagram carousel just days before joining the Love Island USA cast. "I literally just graduated nursing school the day before getting here," she revealed in her intro in the season premiere.

In a pre-season interview, Kenzie added that she’s also a nanny to two young girls. “I could just eat them up, I love them!” she said.

Kenzie is a former competitive dancer.

In that same interview, Kenzie mentions her past as a competitive dancer and says that she does a split every morning as a stress reliever. She was a member of both the DancElite group and CK Danceworks Inc. She competed at the 2017 National Finals and placed 17th in the Top Intermediate Solo 15-19 category.

She had a mini-scandal before the season even premiered.

Before the cameras started rolling, eagle-eyed social media fans assumed Kenzie was affiliated with the MAGA movement when an image of her wearing a red hat with the slogan started circulating online. But after some investigation, it appears the photo was doctored and/or created using AI.

To throw more water on this controversy, Kenzie’s brother and father have both spoken out and clarified that their family does not support the president. “Me and my family are very against the Trump administration. We have never voted for Donald Trump,” her brother Alden said, while her father confirmed the same sentiment to TMZ.

Kenzie is hoping to emulate her parents' relationship.

In the pre-season interview, Kenzie calls herself a “big lovergirl inside” and mentions that her parents are still together after 30 years of marriage. “It’s beautiful to see how their marriage has grown…I want that kind of love,” she said.

Whether it’s with Corbin, Caleb, or some other still-to-be-seen bombshell, here’s hoping Kenzie finds what she’s looking for inside the villa!

Netflix's rom-com K-drama My Royal Nemesis has become the latest Korean series to catapult a rising actor into global fame. Written by Kang Hyun-joo, the weekly SBS series stars former The Glory villain Lim Ji-yeon as Kang Dan-shim, a Joseon-era commoner-turned-royal consort who finds herself transported into the body of a modern-day actress named Shin Seo-ri. Soon, she crosses paths with Cha Se-gye (Heo Nam-jun), a third-generation chaebol heir born out of wedlock who's determined to prove himself to his family. Thus begins the pair's enemies-to-lovers romance, a connection shown to span 300 years thanks to some past-lives plot twists.

Since its premiere on May 8, the time-travel romance has grown into one of the year's most popular K-dramas so far, catapulting Heo Nam-jun into the spotlight. After flying under the radar on acclaimed shows, the actor has doubled his Instagram following as fans have fallen for Dan-shim and Se-gye's swoon-worthy love story. Below, read on to learn more about Heo Nam-jun, from his own humble roots to his other shows to watch after My Royal Nemesis.

Heo Nam-jun grew up on a farm and first pursued music before becoming an actor.

Heo Nam-jun, 33, grew up on a farm in Korea's Gangwon province. (His birthday falls within My Royal Nemesis's run, on June 9.) According to The Korea Herald, he initially wanted to major in applied music for college; when it didn't work out, he turned to acting and decided to pursue it as a career.

"I realized in high school that no matter how hard I worked, music just wasn't going to work out for me," Heo explained in 2024. "That was the point where I realized that some things simply don't work out no matter how hard you try. It was the first time I really ran into a wall."

Before 'My Royal Nemesis,' Heo Nam-jun was best known for playing a sadistic villain.

After graduating from Sungkyunkwan University's Department of Acting Arts, Heo eventually made his acting debut in 2019. His first roles included supporting parts in dramas like Missing: The Other Side, Snowdrop, and The Impossible Heir; and movies including Double Patty and Night in Paradise. Netflix fans may also recognize him from his role playing soldier Kang Seok-chan in seasons 2 and 3 of Sweet Home.

In late 2024, Heo caught the attention of the K-drama industry in back-to-back roles. He played ruthless villain Kim Sang-hyuk in the Korean thriller adaptation of Your Honor, and warm second-lead Ji Sang-woo in When the Phone Rings. For the former, Heo received one of Korean television's biggest honors, a Blue Dragon Series Award nomination for Best New Actor.

Heo was lauded for giving great performances of the very different characters, and soon landed both a supporting role in Netflix's space drama When the Stars Gossip. He later got his first lead role, in the historical coming-of-age drama A Hundred Memories.

In a November 2025 interview, he told Forbes, "The past year was filled with both pressure and happiness. Being able to continue acting with great people in good projects is truly a blessing. For me, being able to do what I love for a living is already a success."

He's a fraternal twin and a loving uncle.

Though Heo mostly keeps his personal life private, he recently opened up about his bond with his sibling. While appearing on the popular YouTube show Salon Drip, hosted by Jang Do-yeon, the actor revealed that he's a fraternal twin and the elder of the brothers.

"We don't look alike at all," he explained. "My brother is totally a T [a Thinking type in MBTI] and a planner. He's taller than me and has darker features. My brother grew much faster than me so even though I'm the older brother in name, I was treated like the younger one. I ended up inheriting all the clothes."

When asked who was more popular with girls when they were young, Heo added, "My brother was more popular. I've never really been popular. I've received [love] confessions before, but not many."

Nam-jun's brother is also a new dad. Last January, the actor posted a sweet Instagram picture holding his nephew. Per Zapzee, he also mentioned the newborn in his acceptance speech at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards. "“Father, Mother, my brother and my nephew born just a few days ago, I love you," he said at the time.

He called starring in an IU music video the "biggest credit of his life."

Before My Royal Nemesis and A Hundred Memories, Heo starred in his first lead role alongside one of Korea's biggest stars. In May 2025, he played the romantic lead opposite IU in her nostalgic music video for the ballad "Never Ending Story."

A few months later, during his appearance on his former cast mate Yoo Yeon-seok's YouTube channel, Heo opened up about the video's filming, calling the video the "biggest credit of [his] life" so far.

"When the offer first came in, this thought hit me: 'IU knows I exist in this world.' I could say that I've made it. I want no more but to just work hard like how I did," he said. "Because I adored her when I was young. I really enjoyed her song and I was a big fan. I went up with my hands shaking and said hello, and couldn't say anything else. Even meeting her felt like a dream."

"I got more messages than ever in my life," he added. "They all said the same thing: 'You made it.' My parents said it was their happiest moment."

Love Island USA’s season 8 premiere ended in dramatic fashion when two new bombshells—one male and one female—dropped into the villa for the first time. 22-year-old Kayda Reese Bosse whisked away Bryce Dettloff and Zach Georgiou, both of whom were opting out of pursuing their current relationships, for a 24-hour getaway. By the end of episode 2, she chose to steal Zach from Kenzie Annis, and her confidence quickly had fans online paying attention.

“I’m 10 out of 10,” she asserts during her intro on the Peacock series. With Kayda officially coupled up on the show, now is the time to learn more about Love Island USA’s rising star.

Kayda is from the East Coast and has mixed heritage.

Kayda Bosse hails from Manchester, New Hampshire, which, as she explains to the girls in episode 3, is right above Boston. She has Haitian blood from her father’s side, while her mom is a mix of German and Irish.

At just 22, she’s one of the youngest contestants this season, with ages ranging from 22 to 29.

Kayda is a former model.

On Love Island USA, Kayda introduces herself as a server. She later admits that she did some modeling in New York City but left the profession because she didn’t enjoy the fast pace. At 5’9”, she is also a former high school basketball player and a shooting guard who set her hopes set on competing on "at least" a Division 2 college team.

Featured on the NCSA College Recruiting Page in 2023, her personal statement says she’s “been playing basketball since she learned how to walk” and that she credits her dad with “everything she knows.” She describes herself as “very smiley and happy person but when it comes to basketball, I always come ready to play.” Public information about Kayda's personal life is limited, so we're not sure if she achieved that collegiate athlete dream.

Kayda likes to travel.

During her one-on-one date with Zach, she cites traveling as one of her favorite hobbies, listing Croatia as a bucket list destination. On Instagram, her love of traveling is on display, with photos from the Bahamas, London, New York City, and more on her grid.

Her usual type is someone with dark features and tattoos.

While playing cornhole with Bryce in episode 2, she mentions that she is typically drawn to men with dark hair and dark features, and likes tattoos. It’s no surprise, then, that she picks Zach over blonde Bryce at the end of the episode, even though Zach doesn’t have any visible tattoos. Whether this will cause tension or make her eyes wander as new bombshells enter the villa remains to be seen.

This story contains spoilers about the Your Friends and Neighbors season 2 finale, "The Night of the Hunter." In art and in life, midlife has a way of piling on. Amanda Peet would know. On this season of Your Friends and Neighbors, Peet’s Mel—the ex-wife of Jon Hamm’s friendly neighborhood cat burglar—was a woman on the verge (or possibly in the midst of) a nervous breakdown. Fuming at a teenage daughter who refuses to follow her parentally-preordained path to Princeton; spinning out over her neighbors, both human and animal, who treat the property line dividing their yards as a light suggestion; enduring the sweaty, rage-inducing indignities of menopause, fearing that her days of being a sexually-vibrant person are behind her: Mel is pushed to the limits, and beyond them, in every aspect of her life.

Off-camera, as Peet recently documented in an essay for The New Yorker, she was diagnosed with (and underwent successful treatment for) breast cancer while her divorced parents were dying on opposite coasts. And with her husband of almost 20 years, David Benioff (of Game of Thrones showrunning fame), she’s a parent of three; her eldest daughter is about the same age as Mel’s daughter, Tori, and also just did the whole college-application rigamarole.

Ahead of the season 2 finale of the Apple TV series, Peet delves into it all, describing these trials in an endearingly matter-of-fact manner, whether delighting in her season of slapstick—including a particularly gross slip-and-slide experience with an overturned Port-a-Potty—or reflecting on aging, parenthood, and mortality.

Marie Claire: Tell me a bit about the creative process for Your Friends and Neighbors. How involved were you in what Mel's arc was going to be in this season?

Amanda Peet: Sometimes I beg [showrunner] Jonathan Tropper to give me a lot of pratfall or something like that, which he gave me. I really like a pratfall. I pitch him ideas, but he doesn't always take them.

MC: Was there anything in particular that you were really excited or nervous about?

AP: I'm excited, like most women my age, that menopause isn't a dirty word anymore and that we're seeing more of it on TV. And I thought it was great that Tropper made it funny, that she wasn't just this sexless couch potato.

MC: There's this moment in the first episode this season when Mel says, "I just feel like I'm getting older, and he's just getting better and better looking." Does it feel vulnerable or scary at all, even as a character, to be expressing an insecurity like that?

AP: Well, I mean after the movie I just did, [Fantasy Life], somebody came up to me and was like, "I love your wrinkles." And I was like, "Oh my God, that's the takeaway?" I mostly just feel lucky that I have a job, honestly. But it doesn't feel like I've done my job if the takeaway for an audience member is that they were bowled over by the amount of wrinkles I have.

MC: Well, we are in such a bizarre cultural moment with cosmetic interventions. It's so distracting as a viewer when someone has had work done that obviously their character would not. Like I'm supposed to believe someone's broke, but they have a very expensive face? But because that has become so common in your line of work, it is noteworthy, but it's also just a relief, [to see a face that moves].

AP: I want to do my job, and I want people to pay attention to the story. And she was distracted by the fact that there weren't cosmetic interventions on my face. So I was like, Maybe I should get some of those done so that I can sink into the story and not have people be so distracted by the level of droopiness.

MC: I did see you say recently that you think about getting a facelift every other day. Did I catch you on an ‘on’ day?

AP: Every time I look in the mirror, it crosses my mind. Maybe not every time. Maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration. But you're facing mortality when you look in the mirror.

MC: In the show, you're in this very fraught mother-daughter dynamic. In your New Yorker essay, you talk about how you and your mom had this super intimate, open relationship. What do you remember about what you were like as a teenager? Were you ever a difficult teen?

AP: I had these sort of really feeble rebellions, because I think I didn't really go through a period where I was repelled by my mom. I was quite close with her in so many ways, so it was hard to do the fuck you thing to her without then being like, "Wait, I'm sorry I hurt you. I know that's a vulnerable spot for you." I started smoking, that kind of thing. [And] I gave her a hard time. I'm sure I wore really slinky clothes.

MC: That’s a classic! I loved to scandalize with a very short skirt.

AP: Yes. But my version of a short skirt is not the same as my daughter's version of a short skirt, just so you know. Our takes on feminism and which wave of feminism we're in can be exemplified in mini skirt length. I sometimes don't know what qualifies a skirt anymore.

MC: I'm curious what you make of how Mel handles her daughter's choices, which would test even the most chill, accepting parent. And Mel is not the world's most chill parent. Were you in Mel’s corner?

AP: I always feel like you have to get in the corner of the person you're playing. It wasn't that hard for me, for all the reasons you can probably imagine. I had just gone through the college process with my daughter the year before, so it was very natural for me to be having this conversation, not at this heated level.

MC: I don't know if this makes me insane, but I think [Mel’s] completely in the right with the neighbors. I really felt when she brought the dog shit to the neighbor's doorstep: This is a perfectly valid response to what's happening.

AP: That's hilarious. I do know that you can't be judgy about that character. You can't look down on your character. It becomes too hard to play, I think, especially if your character is in the midst of becoming a loose cannon.

MC: How much of Mel's behavior do you think was clinical? She’s going through menopause and one of the symptoms—I think in the show somebody describes it as “you'll feel the urge to murder people.” Is that all innate to who she is and maybe it's just that menopause is taking the breaks off of feelings or behaviors that were always there?

AP: This is the million dollar question. I wonder this with my own menopause and with some of my parents' dementia, and we as a culture definitely over-pathologize, over-medicate. So sometimes I think that these things are just the natural course. Then with Mel, to your point about the college thing, she’s definitely way too involved and doesn't seem to have any idea that she needs to have more of a life. Those people can be kind of dangerous because they don't know that they're angry and they're quick to erupt at the wrong problem, get upset over the wrong thing.

MC: There’s so much wrapped up in how you perceive somebody in your own family, how you perceive your own kid—how hard it can be, it seems, to see them as clearly as other people do.

AP: Yes. I've had a lot of talks with my friend about this: She's much easier on her son and he's much easier on the daughter. You're overly identified with your same-gender child, and so it's easier to get overly invested in their journey.

MC: I think moms are harder on their daughters because moms know how hard it is to be a woman in the world, and so they're trying to prepare you for the world as it is. Whereas when you're the daughter, you're like: “I'm going to bend the world to my will.”

AP: In some ways, [as a mom], you're passing the baton and it's very hard not to be like, “Run your heat like this. That's how you succeed.”

MC: Are you a mom in the style that you imagined you would be?

AP: Sometimes. I'm getting there, but I had to build the bike while I rode the bike. I didn't think I would be this worried and alarmist. I thought I was going to be more... David will laugh so hard if he ever reads this, but I thought I was going to be more chill. And there's just nothing chill about me.

MC: Was your mom chill or was she just open? They’re related but, I do think, different qualities.

AP: I think she got more chill as she got happier. When she was able to get divorced and have the kind of work that she wanted and the kind of friends that she wanted. It took her a while to come out of those sort of 1950s social mores in which she grew up. She was such a good girl, and I think her spirit was more wild than it appeared to be. When she was able to let go and become more of who she was inside, she was more chill, because I think she was happier.

MC: Does it help you as an actor to be in a relationship with somebody who works in the same industry as you and understands what you do?

AP: I don't know if everybody who works in the same industry has what I think I have with David, which is just a very, we are very aligned—it's almost weird. Our tastes are very aligned. I don't want to sound un-feminist, but I do feel that he mentored me as a writer. I hope that doesn't sound un-feminist, but, I mean, he's brutal. But that's how I learned, is from him being so fucking brutal and hurting my feelings.

MC: What are you excited about, thinking ahead?

AP: I am really excited that Mel seems to be considering writing something. It seems like she's on a path possibly to do some kind of roman a clef or tell-all or something. I think putting her on a collision course with Coop might be very exciting because I think she's also in love with him.

MC: I don't want to be that person who's Parent-Trapping them, but it does feel like they like each other more maybe than they ever have in the duration of the show.

AP: I think that there's a lot there. I know [Tropper] can't get us together yet, but I just... The last scene when Mel’s with this agent who's like, "You got to write about what happened with Coop, with him being framed for murder and stuff," I thought that was very exciting. Because I think she has his number in a lot of ways.

MC: I'm glad that she was single long enough to get to hook up with Miguel. I just feel like that was important for her. And she manifested it by wearing a bra that matched her underwear, because that's not a thing you're just doing when you're not expecting someone to take your clothes off.

AP: That is correct. The last time I did that was probably my wedding night. And I don't even know if I did in my wedding. Did I? I don't remember.

MC: It depends on if you were wearing a wedding dress where you had to wear a bra or not.

AP: That's a really good point. And you know what? I think I didn't.

MC: Well, that's freedom. That's how you know it's true love, like good, I don't have to wear a bra with this fucking dress.

AP: Yeah! That is true love.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Since its premiere on June 2, Love Island USA season 8, the biggest reality dating series in the country, has brought the meme-worthy drama. As the season 8 cast navigates hot bombshells, silly challenges, and countless love triangles, viewers can weigh in on the villa's goings-on via America's Vote.

If this is your first year tuning in, Love Island is not only a competition for love, but for public favor, with viewers ultimately deciding which of the remaining couples will walk away with $100,000. Even before the finale, fans get the chance to switch up the proceedings in the house, from choosing which Islanders will go on dates with incoming bombshells to controlling which couples are up for elimination. Since Islanders are unaware of their public perception, voting results can lead to the most jaw-dropping moments of each season (outside of Casa Amor or Movie Night).

Below, read on to find out how to vote for your favorite Islanders or couples on Love Island USA season 8.

When does voting happen on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Unfortunately for those who like to plan, Love Island doesn't hold eliminations or add bombshells on a steady schedule. The best way to know when a vote is coming up is to tune in to the reality series every evening at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. New episodes stream on Peacock every night except Wednesdays, and, starting on June 13, Saturdays are reserved for weekly Aftersun specials.

(Pro tip: The Love Island USA Instagram and X/Twitter, and the Love Island USA app, will often tease votes in the morning before polls open, when they drop the First Look for that night's episode.)

On the nights when votes take place, the polls typically remain open for two to three hours after the end of the episode. The series will also occasionally extend the voting period due to technical difficulties. In fact, after the first vote of season 8 crashed the LIUSA app, polls remained open until the following afternoon.

How do you vote on the Love Island USA app?

The official Love Island USA app is free to download on your phone via the App Store or Google Play Store. You do need to register a valid U.S. phone number to vote, but beyond that, there is no charge.

Each registered participant can vote one time, and once you tap that button, you cannot change your vote, so choose wisely.

In addition to voting, the app features exclusive videos and photos from the villa, as well as exit interviews with departed Islanders, polls about the ongoing drama, and a shop for looks inspired by the Islanders and official merch. (Who else is eyeing a personalized water bottle?)

Who are the Islanders up for America's Vote on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Love Island USA never reveals the details of a vote before it opens, so viewers won't know exactly what they're voting for until the polls open. The typical Love Island vote asks viewers to choose either their favorite couple or their favorite boy and girl for the villa, leaving the Islanders who receive the least votes vulnerable to going home.

Of course, there are also special votes, including season 7 and 8's chaotic twists where America paired the new bombshells with current Islanders. Producers could also bring back season 7's ranking challenge to reveal how viewers really think about the couples.

In case you need a recap, the current couples of Love Island USA season 8 are Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff, Aniya Harvey and KC Chandler, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou, Kenzie Annis and Caleb McDaniel, Jen Terry and Gabriel Vasconcelos, Sol Dean and Sincere Rhea, and Melanie Moreno and Corbin Mims.