Saturday, October 12, 2024

Here’s who’s starring in Netflix’s ‘Along for the Ride’ in Wilmington, and how you can too

(Left to right) Sofia Alvarez is directing “Along for the Ride” with lead stars Emma Pasarow (Auden) and Belmont Cameli (Eli). (Port City Daily/Courtesy Netflix)

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. –– Netflix’s “Along for the Ride” is bringing several actresses and actors to the Cape Fear for filming over the next several weeks.

Based on the 2009 Sarah Dessen young adult novel, “Along for the Ride” tells the story of recent-high school grad Auden, played by Emma Pasarow, who spends the summer before college living with her father, stepmom and their baby in Colby, a charming beach town.

Although the majority of the filming is taking place in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, Colby is actually inspired by Emerald Isle, according to Dessen’s website. The fictional town serves as the backdrop of several Dessen novels, including New York Times bestseller “The Moon and More” and “Keeping the Moon.”

Related: Netflix film ‘Along for the Ride’ starts shooting at North Carolina beaches this week

In the story, Auden meets love interest Eli, played by Belmont Cameli. Cameli is best known for his role as a jock in Peacock’s reboot of “Saved by the Bell.” (His acting debut was as “Cute Guy” on Empire in 2018, according to IMDb.)

One of the more recognizable actresses in the film is Andie MacDowell, playing Auden’s mother, from “Groundhog Day” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

Kate Bosworth acts as the stepmother, Heidi. In 2002 she made waves in the box office as the lead surfer girl in “Blue Crush.”

Recognized from romcom “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” Dermot Mulroney will appear as Auden’s father.

Other supporting roles include: Disney “Dog with a Blog” star Genevieve Hannelius as Leah; Samia Finnerty as Esther; “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Paul Karmiyran as Adam; Marcus Scribner from ABC’s “Black-ish” as Wallace; and Ricardo Hurtado, who once played Freddy, the drummer, in “School of Rock,” as Jake.

Sofia Alvarez is adapting and directing the film. Previously Alvarez wrote the screenplays for “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You,” both Netflix films adapted from young adult novels by bestselling author Jenny Han.

“Along for the Ride” is one of three titles by Dessen, the Chapel Hill-based writer, acquired by Netflix. The streaming giant plans to subsequently release movies based on “This Lullaby” and “Once and For All” following “Along for the Ride.”

The feature film has already set up in Wilmington. It is shooting at Russell’s Quik Stop on Wrightsville Avenue next week, according to film permits, and is slated to pick back up filming in Carolina Beach in early May after shooting some of its initial scenes earlier this week. The project is expected to wrap June 4.

Many scenes are scheduled to take place in the late hours, as much of the plot is based on night-time adventures between the two main insomniac characters.

The production plan is securing extras through TW Cast and Recruit, the company that also filled background roles for “Static” and “Outer Banks” in Charleston. Expect the company to post casting calls on its Facebook page when available. Instructions for how to apply are on its website.

As of now, the extras casting company is searching for caucasian, female babies, ideally twins, between four and six months of age. The pay is $200 for 12 hours, or $400 if twins are hired.

The babies will be on set for no more than four hours at a time. The parent or guardian who accompanies the infant will need to receive a Covid-19 test at one of the production’s sites two days before filming.


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Alexandria Sands
Alexandria Sands
Alexandria Sands is a journalist covering New Hanover County and education. Before Port City Daily, she reported for the award-winning State Port Pilot in Southport. She graduated from UNC Charlotte and wrote for several Charlotte publications while there. When not writing, Williams is most likely in the gym, reading or spending time with her Golden Pyrenees. Reach her at alexandria@localdailymedia.com or on Twitter @alexsands_

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