Exploring the Intricacies of 'Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 3: Unraveling the Love Triangle and Teasing a Possible Spinoff
Season 3 of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' continues with Belly's decision between Conrad and Jeremiah Find out about the filming schedule, returning stars, anticipated music, plot inspiration, and the fate of Steven and Taylor Discover hints from Season 2 and whether the franchise will conclude after Season 3
The Summer I Turned Pretty has been confirmed for a third season, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah.
The TV series, which premiered in June 2022, is adapted from Jenny Han's book series of the same title. The Summer I Turned Pretty centers around Belly (played by Lola Tung), who finds herself entangled in a love triangle. As she navigates her emotions for Conrad (portrayed by Christopher Briney), she begins to question whether his brother, Jeremiah (played by Gavin Casalegno), might be her ideal partner.
Viewers have been provided with alternative perspectives from characters such as Conrad and Jeremiah, in addition to Belly's viewpoint. The roles played by Belly's brother Steven (Sean Kaufman), mother Laurel (Jackie Chung), and best friend Taylor (Rain Spencer) are essential to the story lines.
In the original book trilogy, Belly makes her final choice in We’ll Always Have Summer, which is likely to be the basis for the third season of the show. However, fans are unsure whether the show will adhere to the events of the book series or introduce changes.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty:
When Will Season 3 Start Filming?
Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney Courtesy of Prime Video Video
Which Stars Will Come Back?
Filming of The Summer I Turned Pretty faced initial delays due to strikes by WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Depending on when production resumes, season 3 may possibly debut in 2024.
Amazon Studios
There are expectations for the return of Tung, Briney, Casalegno, Chung, Kaufman, and Spencer. It is also possible that Rachel Blanchard, who portrays Conrad and Jeremiah’s late mother, may make a return in flashback scenes. The presence of characters such as Cleveland (Alfredo Narciso), Skye (Elsie Fisher), Aunt Julia (Kyra Sedgwick), and Cam (David Iacono) in season 3 remains uncertain.
Can Fans Expect Taylor Swift’s Music to Set the Mood in Season 3?
Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
Ever since The Summer I Turned Pretty first aired, Han has been talking about including Swift's vast discography in important moments on screen.
In Season 1, a number of tracks were featured, including "Cruel Summer," "Lover," "The Way I Loved You (Taylor's Version)," and "This Love (Taylor's Version)." The second season upped the ante by including almost twice as many songs, such as "August," "Sweet Nothing," "Delicate (Taylor's Version)," "Bigger Than the Whole Sky," and "Exile."
It is probably safe to assume that Swift’s music will continue to play a huge role on the show.
What Is the Book Plot Line That Inspires Season 3?
Christopher Briney, Lola Tung and Gavin Casalegno in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’. Courtesy of Prime Video
The final installment of The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy continues Belly's journey into college life, where she remains in a relationship with Jeremiah despite her previous heartbreak with Conrad. As a series of events unfolds, Belly and Jeremiah become engaged just as Conrad reenters the picture. Belly is faced with the difficult decision of determining her true desires for her future, which may ultimately involve choosing between the Fisher brothers or forging a path on her own.
Will Season 3 Take Direct Inspiration From ‘We’ll Always Have Summer’?
Amazon Studios
With the third season's approach to Han's source material sparking speculation, Casalegno has expressed his backing for a fresh take on the resolution of the central love triangle.
“I do believe there’s a strong possibility that the show may deviate from the original events in the books,” he exclusively revealed to We in June 2023. “I already know the ultimate destination for [my character Jeremiah] and what happens to him. But I don’t fixate on that. Jenny's writing is so skillful that I can naturally progress towards that outcome without needing to impose a specific direction.”
What Happens to Steven and Taylor?
Amazon Studios
The introduction of Steven and Taylor as a couple in Season 2 brought an exciting shakeup, despite not being explored in the books, as discussed by Kaufman in an exclusive interview with Us Magazine.
"For me, Steven not being in the books really takes the pressure off. It allows me to truly embody this character as I see fit, rather than trying to be someone I'm not," he shared with Us in August 2023. "In terms of Steven and Taylor's story, the lack of expectations is liberating. We can have fun with it and just see where it goes."
Kaufman seemed optimistic about Steven and Taylor's future, expressing, "I think they can go the distance. We're hitting the ground running. Steven and Taylor have great chemistry."
Spencer was also thrilled with how Taylor's character developed on screen. "We had multiple conversations with Jenny and she has such a clear picture in her head. She's so skilled at navigating this world and making it completely relatable," she shared. "As Sean said, Stevan and Taylor grew up together. So from Taylor's perspective, she has loved this person in every one of his dorky, weird, and awkward phases. She's undeniably in awe of this person's growth. It's like if you love someone in every single stage of their life, that never goes away."
Has Season 2 Offered Hints at What Comes Next?
Prime Video
During the August 2023 streaming of the season 2 finale, a flashback sequence displayed Susannah (Blanchard) writing letters shortly before her passing. Devotees of The Summer I Turned Pretty series are aware of the significant role that Susannah's letters play in We'll Always Have Summer.
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Will ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Franchise End After Season 3?
Erika Doss/Prime Video
While there has been no official confirmation regarding the fate of the series, many fans speculate that season 3 could potentially be the final season, given that the book series consists of only three novels. Nonetheless, it appears that Prime Video is looking to extend The Summer I Turned Pretty universe.
"Although I can't reveal too much, Jenny has some incredible surprises in store. We are thrilled about the upcoming season 3 and she has a clear vision for the future," said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon and MGM Studios, in an interview with Deadline in September 2023. "This show will remain a cornerstone for us and we are fully committed to expanding it further. Jenny has a fantastic vision for the direction of the show and we are already working on additional projects to complement it."
