Kristin Davis, Tig Notaro cast in ‘Beach Read’ film adaptation: Report
Kristin Davis attends the ‘And Just Like That…’ season 3 photocall at Hotel Napoleon on May 29, 2025, in Paris, France. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) | Tig Notaro attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026, in Hollywood, California. (Frazer Harrison/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kristin Davis and Tig Notaro are joining the Emily Henry rom-com universe.
The actors have joined the cast of the film adaptation of the bestselling novel Beach Read, Deadline reports. They join Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor and The White Lotus‘ Patrick Schwarzenegger, who are set to star in the film, as well as Andie MacDowell and Kevin Bacon. Production will begin on the picture in June.
ABC Audio has reached out to 20th Century Studios for confirmation.
Beach Read follows the character January Andrews, a romance novelist who struggles with writer’s block due to her grief after the death of her father and her discovery of the secrets he kept.
January spends the summer at her father’s Michigan beach house as she prepares to sell it. While there, she reconnects with Gus Everett, a fellow author and her formal college rival. The pair spark an unexpected romance after they agree to partake in a writing challenge to get them out of their respective writing ruts.
Yulin Kuang, who co-wrote the Netflix film adaptation of Henry’s novel People We Meet on Vacation, will direct Beach Read for 20th Century Studios from her own script.
This is the latest adaptation of one of Henry’s works, following the release of People We Meet on Vacation in January. Three of her other novels — Book Lovers, Funny Story and Happy Place — are also currently being adapted for the screen.
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Lachlan Quarmby, Roan Curtis, Maria March, Jill Hennessy, Bethany Joy Lenz, Mila Morgan and Benjamin Ayres attend ‘When Calls the Heart’ and ‘Hope Valley: 1874 Celebration’ in West Hollywood, California. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Hallmark)
Hope Valley: 1874, the prequel series to When Calls the Heart, premieres Saturday on Hallmark+, and star Jill Hennessy thinks it provides “a little bit of an escape.”
Hope Valley: 1874 follows Rebecca Clarke and her daughter, who settle in a Western Canadian frontier town where Hennessy’s character, Hattie Quinn, runs the trading post. “She’s sort of the go-between and the hub of all these people,” Hennessy tells ABC Audio of Hattie, who’s a widow and single mother.
“She’s sorta used to living on her own, but deeply afraid of her daughter moving off, trying not to confront how scared she is: ‘Oh my gosh, but what will I do when she leaves me?'”
Hennessy says Hope Valley will please When Calls the Heart fans aka Hearties, while offering some key differences.
“In this show, I think they’re gonna get all of the warmth and the romance aspect, in a structure, though, that goes a little broader, can be a little darker, a little more gritty,” she explains.
She adds that the series has “a lot of focus on women’s relationships, and women and men in a friendship/survival kind of way, where there’s no competition, there’s no bitterness, and people are just trying to make it through the day.”
Hennessy, a veteran of shows like Law & Order,Crossing Jordan and Yellowstone, says there’s a “sweetness” to Hope Valley, which she says is “so nice to go to … with everything that’s happening in the world.”
“Even as an actor … it’s kind of nice to get there, and put on the petticoat and the corset, and work with nice people,” she adds. “This is just one of the nicest casts. It is very appealing. It’s a nice — how can I say? — a little bit of an escape.”
‘The Bachelorette’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks with ABC News’ Lara Spencer in an interview on ‘Good Morning America’ on March 18, 2026. (ABC News)
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul says she is going through a “heavy time” as she faces a domestic violence allegation while promoting her new season of The Bachelorette.
“It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released,'” Paul said in a live interview Wednesday on Good Morning America. “It’s supposed to be a really exciting time.”
She continued, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be.”
Paul is reportedly facing a domestic violence allegation involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Paul, a mother of three, shares one child with Mortensen.
According to People, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah said earlier this week that there is an “open domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”
Police told People that “contact was made with involved parties” back on Feb. 24 and 25.
ABC News has reached out to Mortensen for comment.
When asked for details on the investigation, the Draper Police Department shared a statement with ABC News, saying, “The Draper Police Department respects the rights and privacy of all citizens. Without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations.”
Paul confirmed to Good Morning America that production on season 5 of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been halted for the time being, saying, “As of now I have gotten word that it also has been paused.”
She added, “As far as I know it was, but I don’t know for how long.”
The reality star said it was “hard to say” what her future on the show might look like.
“It’s hard to see past this, I’m not going to lie. In this moment, it’s just so heavy,” she said.
She continued, “When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like.”
Despite the circumstances, Paul shared a glimmer of optimism, saying, “I’ve been here before and I got through it.”
Paul was announced as the next Bachelorette for season 22 of the reality TV show back in September.
The reality star spoke with GMA on Wednesday about her decision to join the show, offering perspective on her position as a mother of three and sharing that seeing other women on Secret Wives of Mormon Wives pursue their dreams inspired her to take a shot at the dating game.
“For me, dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult,” she said, adding that The Bachelorette offered a chance “to go out, get away from my toxic cycle here in Utah, go date and then also have my kids come out and visit me.”
“You don’t realize how … it can be exhausting too, but you’re finding the love of your life, that’s what you’re striving for,” she said.
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The 98th Academy Awards air March 15 on ABC and will also stream live on Hulu.
The 98th Academy Awards will be held Sunday, where the best movies from the past year will be honored and celebrated.
Comedian Conan O’Brien will host the ceremony for the second time. At the 98th Oscars Creative Team press conference, the ceremony’s executive producer and showrunner, Raj Kapoor, said this year’s Oscars theme is humanity.
“Everything that you see in the show is inspired by human touch and creativity,” Kapoor said. “We’ve completely redesigned what the stage looks like. It’s very immersive. We hope all our nominees are celebrated in a very big way. We have beautiful photos and clips and nomination packages that a lot of time and thought and care has been put into.”
As for specific teases and surprises that will happen during the show, Kapoor confirmed a rumored reunion happening onstage.
“We are very excited to announce that we have a Bridesmaids reunion that is going to be very special,” Kapoor said.
Executive producer Katy Mullan teased two other surprises.
“There’s also going to be a Marvel reunion for the superhero fans. So we’re gonna have superstars, superheroes and there is also gonna be an extraterrestrial on the stage, so you can figure that one out,” Mullan said.
The Oscars will take place on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The show will air live on ABC and will also stream live on Hulu.
