Jenny Han on ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’: Film References, Poster Swaps & Fan Reaction
The creator and showrunner of the hit Prime Video series discusses the show’s rich tapestry of cinematic allusions, a surprising post-finale reveal, and the future of the story.
Following the conclusion of The Summer I Turned pretty‘s third season, creator and showrunner Jenny Han sought to engage with the show’s devoted fanbase in a unique way, extending the conversation beyond the finale’s airing. Han, known for embedding Easter eggs throughout the series, surprised viewers weeks later with a subtle yet meaningful alteration to the show’s promotional poster.
The initial poster depicted Jeremiah, played by Gavin Casalengo, kissing Lola Tung’s Belly, while Chris Briney’s Conrad looked on. The revised version swapped the positions of the two male leads, placing Conrad in the affectionate moment and subtly signaling his ultimate romantic connection with belly – a move that also paid homage to the classic film Sabrina.
This purposeful choice reflects Han’s broader approach to storytelling, one deeply rooted in the history of romance on screen. “You get to kind of stand on their shoulders a bit and borrow from that, just that cultural resonance,” han explained to the Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve always approached Summer I Turned Pretty as a show that I want to feel like a memory in some ways.You’re remembering your own first times and first loves and heartbreaks, and so I think just naturally in that comes references to other love stories.”
The series is replete with nods to iconic films, including Sabrina, Casablanca, It’s a Splendid Life, Romeo and Juliet, Before Sunrise, and Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town. han emphasizes that familiarity with these references isn’t essential for enjoyment,but adds “it’s a bonus for people who have” and “fun to be able to give that introduction to people who may not have it.” She found it challenging to find comparable shows during the pitching process, noting that the desired feeling was more akin to a classic film.
Han revealed the poster switch was always part of her plan, drawing a parallel to Sabrina, where the character David kisses Sabrina but doesn’t ultimately end up with her. “So I thought it just added a little bit of intrigue and fun to see the switch,” she said. “It was just a lovely photograph and we had shot it both ways.”
The upcoming film adaptation of the series offers an opportunity to further explore the characters and story, potentially delving into aspects not fully explored in the series. Han described wanting to evoke a “snow globe feeling” in a particular Christmas scene, reminiscent of the play’s spare staging and evocative sensory details.
While many Easter eggs and references were readily apparent to fans, Han suggested there may be some that went unnoticed, such as the inclusion of It’s a Wonderful Life in a Christmas flashback, symbolizing the exploration of “the road not taken.”
As for future inspiration, Han remains focused on the film, preferring to keep details close to the vest until the project is further along. “This audience stays close to details, and they pay really close attention to everything,” she said. “I think I prefer to talk about it once it feels more solid.”
The Summer I Turned Pretty is currently streaming all three seasons on Prime Video. Read THR’s coverage here.
