SOUTHEAST N.C. — Filming for the movie installation to the franchise “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is up and running in southeastern North Carolina. Sightings across Southport have garnered attention across the fanbase and certainly in the Cape Fear, prompting production response.
The series’ Instagram account, in conjunction with Prime Video and Amazon MGM, posted on May 5 a video of the phrase “privacy please” etched in the sand along the shoreline.
READ MORE: Is ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ coming back to town? One industry publication says so
The caption of the video stated: “We love the excitement, but sharing locations and visiting set disrupts filming and creates real safety concerns for our cast and crew. We’re working hard to create a protected bubble to make the best movie possible. Please help us protect the magic of Cousins until it’s ready to be shared.”
Author of the series and screenwriter Jenny Han also posted to social media to request fans halt releasing photographs and videos of the cast and crew during filming and noted there being “crowds.”
“When people come to set, film and share videos, it disrupts the work. It makes it harder for actors to get into character and causes unnecessary anxiety for them. We often have to stop production to clear crowds from the shot, which breaks the crew’s focus,” she wrote. “This story means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to you, too. I want to give you the best version of this movie. Please help protect our process.”
The Southport Police Department has not responded to any calls for service or reports of crowds interfering on set, according to a city spokesperson. An anonymous source familiar with the productions said there have not been issues thus far.
However, many videos and photos taken by onlookers have circulated social media, as in the last week, film crews have been spotted in Southport.
Fans have posted scenes being filmed in various locations, such as cast members in a boat on the water or near Southport Waterfront Park. They have also been seen at the popular seafood restaurant, Provision Company
Local businesses like Angie’s Fresh Produce on Howe Street had to close for filming, while others, such as Mad River and Southport Water Tours, advertised online crews filming. Mad River posted on Tuesday, May 5, of scenes said to be filmed at Wade’s Jewelers. Also included was a map so people would know how to access the store due to numerous street closures.
“Take the back roads and come see us,” local home goods retailer Mad River posted on social media. “Maybe even add a stop or two. Visit a friend, try somewhere new, and make the most of the route. It’s worth the detour.”
Southport Magazine posted photos of a set with a fire truck labeled “Cousins Beach Fire Department” and one of the city’s historic buildings becoming “Cousin’s Beach Town Hall.” Photos also indicate Independence Day celebrations are being filmed — apropos for the sleepy town that turns completely red, white and blue for the official North Carolina Fourth of July Festival held annually.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is no stranger to the southeastern coast, as the popular series filmed all three seasons in Wilmington and surrounding areas. Its popularity has grown substantially and by the third season reached 70 million views in 70 days, according to Variety — up 65% from the second season’s numbers.
Han wrote the story as a trilogy of books from 2009 to 2011 about a young girl named Isabella “Belly” Conklin. She grew up visiting Cousins Beach — filmed in Carolina and Wrightsville beaches — every summer with her neighbors the Fishers, including her best friend Jeremiah and his older brother Conrad. What ensues is a love triangle with the series leaving off with Belly choosing to be with Conrad. The series stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, and others, and the movie is the final installment to follow Belly and Conrad’s adult relationship.
Anonymous sources close to the matter told Port City Daily the production crew will also head to Boston and back overseas to film in Paris. However, the script and full plot has not been released to the public.
As reported by Port City Daily in February, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” was set to begin production April 27, according to Production Weekly. Refinery29 has reported the film will likely be released in 2027.
Port City Daily asked Southport for film permits but the city couldn’t comply with the request by Wednesday’s deadline and said they would come later in the week; this will be updated after press. Film permits from the City of Wilmington indicate production is also planning to film in May and June at Med North, Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, the Brooklyn Arts Center, Bats and Brews, and One Tree Hill Way near Cinespace Studios.
According to film permits from Carolina Beach, scenes are scheduled for the police department next week.
The New Hanover County Historic Courthouse and Echo Dorm were considered as locations, county spokesperson Alex Riley told Port City Daily in an email.
“Ultimately, [they] elected to film elsewhere, so no permits were issued by the county,” he said.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is currently casting extras for May 7, 11, 12, 27, 28, and 29. Varied extras are needed, such as a bartender/server, two current female college softball players and one high school male baseball player. Information can be uploaded here; advertisements for casting calls can be found on Tona B. Dahlquist Casting’s Facebook page here.
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