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Described as Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Ann Liang’s 2024 rom-com novel, I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, is headed to the screen. The author has steadily shared updates since the YA romance’s adaptation was announced over the summer, revealing the actors playing her leading couple on October 29.
In the book, school captain Sadie is every bit the model student, and her only outlet for her frustrations is writing about them in her email drafts. Her most intense emails are about her rival co-captain, Julius Gong. When the emails are accidentally sent out, and her teachers and classmates find out what she really thinks of them, Sadie’s life devolves into chaos. Julius seems to be the only one to appreciate the real Sadie.
Whether you’re already a fan of the book or its academic rivals-to-lovers arc intrigues you, Swooon has rounded up all the latest I Hope This Doesn’t Find You updates, including its release date,
What is I Hope This Doesn’t Find You’s release date?
Though no release date has been shared yet, filming got underway toward the end of October, according to Liang.
Where can you watch I Hope This Doesn’t Find You?
On July 22, the author shared a video revealing that her novel will be adapted by ReelShort, a vertical microdrama platform. You’ll be able to watch it on ReelShort’s website or app.
Who has been cast in I Hope This Doesn’t Find You?
Esther Ming Li, best known for her recurring role in TNT’s Snowpiercer, is playing Sadie. The Chinese-Canadian actress, per her bio, is a LAMDA graduate based in Los Angeles. She grew up in China, Australia, Canada, and the UK. She’s also appeared in The Adam Project, Celine Song’s short commercial film A Place Beyond Time, and stage plays.
“To say I’m completely obsessed with @esthermingli is an understatement and I’m in such awe of her talent — I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her too,” Liang wrote of her lead actress on Instagram.
Next, the author revealed that Thai-American model Travis Tanthai Owens is playing Julius. He told VMAN that he started posting videos on social media after college, which led to an agency in Miami noticing him. “I fell in love with [modeling] instantly,” he said, adding that it led to discovering his passion for acting. I Hope This Doesn’t Find You appears to be his first major role.
“If I were to describe myself today, I’m a former collegiate athlete trying to navigate and find my place in the lucrative and creative world of entertainment,” Owens explained in a 2025 interview with Daman. “In the spotlight, I’m a fashion and film enthusiast who works in modeling and is a student actor. When I’m not shooting or in class, I’m picking up as many part-time jobs as possible while also trying to improve my skills in photography, cinematography and acting.”
The author gushed about Julius’ casting on social media, too. “I couldn’t be more excited about the incredible @itstowens playing Julius, and I’m so excited for you to meet him too! He captures Julius’ energy in the best way, and seeing him and the cast together on set was so surreal,” she wrote.
