The cast of People We Meet on Vacation is led by Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, who play longtime friends Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen. The 2026 Netflix romantic comedy also features Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Lukas Gage, Molly Shannon, Alan Ruck and others. Netflix lists the film as a romantic comedy based on Emily Henry’s bestselling novel.
The two leads
Emily Bader as Poppy Wright
Emily Bader plays Poppy Wright, a free-spirited travel writer who loves adventure and struggles with feeling stuck. Netflix’s Tudum guide describes Poppy as someone who has wanted to travel since high school and now works for R&R.
Poppy’s life changes when she decides to repair her friendship with Alex. Her character drives much of the movie’s emotional story because she has to work out what she really wants from her life and her relationship with Alex.
Tom Blyth as Alex Nilsen
Tom Blyth plays Alex Nilsen, Poppy’s longtime best friend. Alex is much more structured than Poppy and prefers a predictable life, which creates the central opposites-attract dynamic.
The two friends have spent years taking summer vacations together even though they live far apart. Their friendship becomes complicated when they begin to question whether their feelings have always been more than friendship.
The supporting cast
Sarah Catherine Hook as Sarah
Sarah Catherine Hook plays Sarah, Alex’s girlfriend. Netflix describes Sarah as someone who shares Alex’s desire to settle down in Linfield, Ohio.
Her character represents the stable life that seems to fit Alex’s personality. That makes her an important part of the emotional tension surrounding Poppy and Alex.
Lucien Laviscount as Trey
Lucien Laviscount plays Trey, a photographer who becomes Poppy’s boyfriend after they work together at R&R. Unlike Alex, Trey has a strong sense of wanderlust.
Trey is especially important during the trip to Tuscany, where both Poppy and Alex arrive with romantic partners. His presence helps expose the unresolved feelings between the two longtime friends.
Miles Heizer as David
Miles Heizer plays David, Alex’s brother. David is getting married in Barcelona, which brings Poppy and Alex together again.
The wedding becomes an important setting for the story because it places the longtime friends in close contact while they are both dealing with complicated relationships.
Jameela Jamil as Swapna
Jameela Jamil plays Swapna, Poppy’s boss at R&R. Netflix describes Swapna as someone who trusts Poppy even when Poppy seems uncertain about where her life is heading.
Swapna therefore connects Poppy’s professional life with the personal choices at the heart of the movie.
Tommy Do as Nam
Tommy Do plays Nam, David’s fiancé. Nam is part of the Barcelona wedding storyline and the group surrounding Poppy and Alex.
His role is smaller than the two leads, but he belongs to the central circle of characters who bring the vacation and wedding portions of the story together.
Lukas Gage as Buck
Lukas Gage plays Buck, a character Poppy and Alex meet during their first camping trip. Netflix’s character guide presents Buck as someone who has left behind a finance career for a very different lifestyle.
Buck adds humor and an unpredictable energy to the earlier vacation portion of the story.
Alice Lee as Rachel
Alice Lee plays Rachel, one of Poppy’s friends. Netflix describes Rachel as a friend whose advice does not always change Poppy’s mind.
Her role gives Poppy another relationship outside the central friendship with Alex and helps show the different perspectives around Poppy’s choices.
Molly Shannon as Wanda
Molly Shannon plays Wanda, Poppy’s mother. Wanda is part of Poppy’s family life and brings a more openly expressive personality to the story.
Her presence also gives viewers more context for Poppy’s home life beyond her travels and career.
Alan Ruck as Jimmy
Alan Ruck plays Jimmy, Poppy’s father. Netflix describes Jimmy as a warm, affectionate father who leads a very family-oriented household.
Together, Wanda and Jimmy help show the home environment that Poppy returns to as she works out what she wants from her future. Netflix Tudumhttps://famouscelebritiestalk.com/farmer-wants-a-wife/
How the cast fits the Emily Henry adaptation
People We Meet on Vacation is the film adaptation of Emily Henry‘s 2021 novel. Henry’s official site describes the original story as a romance about Poppy and Alex, two best friends who spend a summer vacation together every year for a decade before their relationship breaks down.
The movie keeps Poppy and Alex at the center while expanding their world through characters such as Sarah, Trey, David, Swapna and their families and friends. Netflix announced the additional cast in 2024, including Hook, Jamil, Laviscount and Gage.
The original book was published by Berkley on May 11, 2021. Penguin Random House identifies it as a 400-page paperback and describes it as the story of two best friends, ten summer trips and one last chance to fall in love.
FAQs
Who plays Poppy in People We Meet on Vacation?
Emily Bader plays Poppy Wright, the movie’s free-spirited female lead.
Who plays Alex in People We Meet on Vacation?
Tom Blyth plays Alex Nilsen, Poppy’s longtime best friend and the movie’s male lead.
Who plays Sarah in the movie?
Sarah Catherine Hook plays Sarah, Alex’s girlfriend.
Who plays Trey?
Lucien Laviscount plays Trey, Poppy’s boyfriend and a photographer.
Who plays David?
Miles Heizer plays David, Alex’s brother, whose wedding in Barcelona helps bring Poppy and Alex together.
Is People We Meet on Vacation based on a book?
Yes. The film is based on Emily Henry’s 2021 novel of the same name.
Who directed People We Meet on Vacation?
Brett Haley directed the 2026 film. Netflix’s official film materials identify him as the director.
When was People We Meet on Vacation released?
The film was released for streaming in January 2026. Rotten Tomatoes lists January 9, 2026 as its streaming release date.
Is People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix?
Yes. Netflix lists the movie in its catalog and identifies Emily Bader, Tom Blyth and Sarah Catherine Hook among the starring cast.
Who are the main stars?
Emily Bader and Tom Blyth are the central stars as Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen. Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount and Miles Heizer are among the key supporting cast.
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