Prime Video is doubling down on its investment in the young adult market, announcing that Amazon unveils cast of Chloe Walsh adaptation for the upcoming series “Boys of Tommen.” The production, a romantic drama hailing from studio wiip—the team behind the successful “The Summer I Turned Pretty”—will bring the emotionally charged world of Walsh’s bestselling novels to a global audience.
The series centers on the complex relationship between two teenagers from vastly different social strata at Tommen College in Ballylaggin, Ireland. By blending elements of sports drama with intense personal trauma, the show aims to capture the same visceral energy that propelled the original book series to viral success across digital reading platforms and bookstores.
At the heart of the narrative are Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch. Johnny is the school’s star rugby player, a “golden boy” standing on the precipice of a professional career, while Shannon is a mysterious and painfully shy newcomer. Both characters are tethered by secrets: Johnny is grappling with a potentially career-ending injury, and Shannon is surviving a violent and troubled home life. Their connection evolves into a forbidden romance as they attempt to navigate the pressures of their environment and save one another from their respective hardships.
The Faces of Tommen College
Selecting the right ensemble was a priority for the production team, given the intense loyalty of the novels’ fanbase. Nancy Surridge has been cast in the lead role of Shannon Lynch, tasked with portraying the character’s transition from a guarded outsider to someone finding her voice. Opposite her, Conor Sánchez will play Johnny Kavanagh, balancing the public persona of an athlete with the private vulnerability of his injury.
The supporting cast rounds out the social ecosystem of Tommen College. James O’Donoghue will portray Joey Lynch, described as a troubled but loyal figure, while Sophie McGibbon takes on the role of Aoife Molloy, the fiercely confident counterpart to Shannon’s reserve.
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nancy Surridge | Shannon Lynch | Shy new student with a troubled home life |
| Conor Sánchez | Johnny Kavanagh | Star rugby player facing a career-ending injury |
| James O’Donoghue | Joey Lynch | Troubled but loyal companion |
| Sophie McGibbon | Aoife Molloy | Fiercely confident student |
Adapting a Literary Phenomenon
The first season of the series will specifically adapt the first two novels in Walsh’s series, “Binding 13” and “Keeping 13.” To handle the transition from page to screen, Amazon has tapped Poppy Cogan, known for her work on “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” to serve as the writer and executive producer.
Cogan emphasized the weight of the adaptation, noting the deep connection readers have with the source material. “These characters have lived in the hearts and minds of millions of readers, and the response to them has been overwhelming, so finding the right cast was incredibly important,” Cogan said. “Chloe has created such a rich, emotionally vivid world in these books, and as the writer adapting this story for screen it’s been a privilege to be entrusted with bringing that world to life.”
The production is led by director Brendan Canty, with Ingrid Goodwin serving as the series producer. The creative team is tasked with maintaining the “emotionally vivid” nature of Walsh’s writing while translating the specific cultural atmosphere of a prestigious Irish private school into a visual medium.
Production and Strategic Partnerships
The project represents a significant collaboration between several industry players. This proves produced by global independent studio wiip in association with Amazon MGM Studios. To ensure authenticity in its Irish setting, the production has partnered with Metropolitan to provide local production services.
The executive production team is extensive, reflecting the scale of the project. Alongside Cogan and author Chloe Walsh, executive producers include wiip’s Paul Lee, Hope Hartman, and Sean Flanagan. The roster also features Temple Hill’s Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, James Seidman, and Annika Patten, as well as Drama Republic’s Greg Brenman and Deena Butt. Casting was overseen by Carla Stronge.
This move aligns with a broader strategy by Prime Video to secure high-engagement YA intellectual property. By partnering with wiip, Amazon is leveraging a studio that has already demonstrated a keen ability to translate “book-to-screen” romantic dramas for a Gen Z and Millennial audience.
What to Expect Next
While the series was greenlit earlier this year, a specific release date has not yet been announced. The production is currently moving into the filming phase, utilizing its Irish production partnerships to establish the atmospheric backdrop of Ballylaggin.
The next major milestone for the series will be the release of the first official teaser or trailer, which will provide the first glimpse of the chemistry between Surridge and Sánchez. Official updates regarding the production schedule and premiere window are expected to be shared via Prime Video’s official channels.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on the casting choices and their expectations for the adaptation in the comments below.
