People We Meet on Vacation Cast & Character Guide (Poppy, Alex + Full Cast)
People We Meet on Vacation Cast & Character Guide (Poppy, Alex + Full Cast)
Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation turns Emily Henry’s beloved friends-to-lovers romance into a globe-trotting rom-com. The story follows Poppy and Alex—two total opposites who somehow make the perfect travel duo—across a decade of summer trips, big life changes, and a friendship that starts to feel like something more.
Below is a spoiler-light cast and character guide for the movie, including Poppy, Alex, and the key “people” they meet (and date) along the way.
Quick movie details
- Streaming: Netflix
- Release date: January 9, 2026
- Genre: Romantic comedy
- Based on: People We Meet on Vacation (2021 novel) by Emily Henry
Main cast & character guide
| Actor | Character | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Emily Bader | Poppy Wright | A free-spirited travel writer who’s always chasing the next adventure—and quietly missing the one person who always made every trip feel like home. |
| Tom Blyth | Alex Nilsen | Poppy’s best friend and travel tradition partner: routine-loving, thoughtful, and far more emotional than he’ll ever admit out loud. |
| Sarah Catherine Hook | Sarah | Alex’s girlfriend (and a major point of tension). She and Alex look “perfect on paper,” which makes Poppy’s place in his life feel complicated. |
| Jameela Jamil | Swapna Bakshi-Highsmith | Poppy’s boss and mentor—stylish, successful, and not afraid to call out when Poppy’s playing it safe with her own happiness. |
| Lucien Laviscount | Trey | Poppy’s boyfriend. He’s charming and fun, but his presence can’t help raising one big question: if Poppy’s “fine,” why does it still feel like she’s missing something? |
| Lukas Gage | Buck | A memorable traveler Poppy and Alex meet early on—chaotic, fearless, and basically the living embodiment of “vacation decisions.” |
| Alice Lee | Rachel | Poppy’s best friend in New York. She’s the truth-teller who can spot the real problem (and the real love story) from a mile away. |
| Miles Heizer | David | Alex’s brother—his life event becomes a big gathering point in the story and forces Poppy and Alex into close quarters (with feelings included). |
| Tommy Do | Nam | David’s fiancé. Sweet, welcoming, and a reminder of what it looks like when someone chooses love out loud. |
| Molly Shannon | Wanda | Poppy’s mom—big personality, big heart, and extremely invested in what’s obviously happening between Poppy and Alex. |
| Alan Ruck | Jimmy | Poppy’s dad. Warm, supportive, and fully along for the ride when Poppy’s love life starts to look less “best friends forever” and more “rom-com inevitable.” |
Additional credited cast (as reported by major listings)
Depending on where you check (Netflix vs. industry databases), you may also see these supporting roles credited:
| Actor | Character (credited) |
|---|---|
| Spencer Neville | Julian |
| Ian Porter | Ed Nilsen |
| Madeleine Akua | Daisy |
| Bethany Anne Lind | Stacey |
| Michael A. Newcomer | Bob |
Character relationships (who matters to Poppy & Alex)
- Poppy & Alex: Best friends with a decade of history—and a “we’re just friends” line that gets harder to believe every year.
- Sarah: Alex’s serious relationship that makes the stakes real (and messy).
- Trey: Poppy’s boyfriend who adds pressure to the “pick a lane” question.
- Rachel: Poppy’s best friend, often the voice of honesty when Poppy tries to rationalize her way out of feelings.
- Swapna: Poppy’s mentor who pushes her to want more—from travel, work, and love.
Filming locations & what changed from the book
One of the biggest talking points for book fans is that the movie streamlines and reshapes some trip locations for the screen. The vibe stays the same—sun, wanderlust, romantic tension—but the itinerary isn’t a one-to-one replica of the novel’s travel list.
A notable change: the film uses Barcelona as a major destination (instead of Palm Springs from the book). The movie also features U.S. and coastal European locations to keep the “vacation montage” feeling while staying practical for production.
What to watch for (spoiler-light)
- The timeline shifts: The story builds emotion by bouncing between “vacation memories” and the present-day trip.
- The almost-moments: The movie lives in near-confessions, misread signals, and “did that just happen?” eye contact.
- The side characters: From bosses to partners to fellow travelers, everyone around Poppy and Alex tends to see the truth first.
Related content for Emily Henry fans
- More Emily Henry adaptations: Several other novels by Emily Henry have been announced as in development for film/TV.
- If you want similar vibes: Try more Netflix rom-coms with friends-to-lovers energy, destination settings, and slow-burn chemistry.
FAQs
Who plays Poppy in People We Meet on Vacation?
Emily Bader plays Poppy Wright.
Who plays Alex in People We Meet on Vacation?
Tom Blyth plays Alex Nilsen.
Is People We Meet on Vacation based on a book?
Yes—it's based on Emily Henry’s bestselling 2021 novel.
Where can I watch People We Meet on Vacation?
The movie is streaming on Netflix.