The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Finale and the Future of the Series
The finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has arrived, and creator Jenny Han hopes fans will now pause to appreciate Jeremiah’s character arc. Perhaps even fans split into Team Jeremiah and Team Conrad can find common ground and become friends.
Central Love Triangle and Fan Fervor
At its core, The Summer I Turned Pretty—both the books and the Prime Video series—revolve around Belly’s romantic dilemma between the Fisher brothers: the sweet, dependable Jeremiah and the brooding, complex Conrad.
Over three seasons, this love triangle has sparked a viral movement. TikTok features hashtags like #TeamConrad and #TeamJeremiah, garnering billions of views with each new episode.
Controversy and Cast Protection
Despite the passion, the series hasn't been without controversy. Ahead of Season 3’s premiere, Prime Video released an anti-bullying PSA to protect cast members and fans from harassment.
Now, Jenny Han has publicly addressed the backlash, especially toward Jeremiah, after the season’s events. Warning: spoilers ahead!
Jenny Han’s Defense of Cast and Characters
With the series ending at Episode 11, Han hopes fans will step back and look at Jeremiah’s journey with understanding. Much of the criticism has focused on Jeremiah after he’s shown to have a brief fling with Lacie during a break from Belly. Prior to that, some Team Conrad supporters were upset because the show’s ending diverged from the books, where Belly and Conrad are meant to be together.
This backlash extended into real life, affecting the actors. Lola Tung (Belly) and Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah) faced online abuse and even death threats due to their characters’ storylines.
Prime Video responded with a public service announcement emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, hate speech, harassment, and doxxing.
In a conversation with the LA Times, Jenny Han emphasized, “People can forget that you’re talking about a character, but you’re saying things about the person who plays the character when you comment on their appearance or mannerisms. That’s a real person, and it’s painful, even if they’re famous.”
Why Fans Should Appreciate Jeremiah’s Growth
Although Jeremiah is fictional, Han hopes fans will recognize his journey. She describes him as “the internet’s most hated boyfriend,” but hopes fans will “take a beat and respect his growth.”
Jeremiah has faced significant hardships, including his mother Susannah’s death. Han explains, “Growth is not linear.” She adds, “I love his story this season. People were really hard on him for hooking up with Lacie while on a break, but his story is heartbreaking.”
Han continues, “In his heart, he knew Belly loved Conrad and vice versa, but he also thought he was irrevocably breaking from her by sleeping with someone else. He believed that he wouldn’t be forgiven.”
The Future of the Series and Han’s Perspective
Han encourages viewers to consider that “you can be Team Jeremiah and still be friends with Team Conrad supporters.” She emphasizes that a harmonious balance exists within the fandom.
Regarding further stories in The Summer I Turned Pretty universe, Han remains open but cautious. “Showrunning is a 24/7 job,” she says. “I want to feel genuinely excited because I need to be fully invested. I’m willing to explore more, but I want to tell a story that compels me to spend years dedicated to it.”
Streaming and Upcoming Content
The Summer I Turned Pretty Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Prime Video. Fans can also explore new TV shows launching this month and plan for upcoming releases with our 2025 TV calendar.
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