BookTok has been holding its breath for this announcement for years, and it's finally here. In June 2026, Deadline reported that Anna Kendrick has been tapped to direct the Netflix adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Taylor Jenkins Reid's book is one of the most beloved and discussed novels on BookTok, and the community has been waiting for news of its film adaptation for years. Now that it's finally here, the reaction is overwhelmingly positive. Variety
What is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows a young journalist who finally gets the long-awaited interview with Evelyn Hugo, a famous aging Hollywood star. During the interview, Hugo pulls back the curtain on her seven marriages and reveals shocking truths about her own life and the lives of everyone around her. Philstar.com
The book was published in 2017 by Taylor Jenkins Reid and sold quietly for years—until BookTok discovered it. On TikTok alone, Taylor Jenkins Reid's name has generated 783 million views, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 759 million views. It's one of the few books you'll find on almost every "best books ever" list on BookTok, year after year. The Hollywood Reporter
Why did it take so long?
Netflix acquired the rights in 2022, but the project struggled to get off the ground. Leslye Headland, creator of Russian Doll, was initially attached to direct but later left. Then, Maggie Betts was set to take over directing, until Kendrick finally joined the project. Philstar.comVariety
The road to the film was long and bumpy, but for BookTok fans, this is proof that Netflix is taking the project seriously. And the choice of Anna Kendrick as director has surprised many—in a good way.
Why Anna Kendrick?
It marks Kendrick's second film as a director, following her debut Woman of the Hour in 2024. Her directing style in Woman of the Hour—intimate, feminine, and emotionally sharp—fits well with the character of Evelyn Hugo: a woman whose entire life was a carefully constructed performance. Variety
The script was written by Liz Tigelaar, creator of Little Fires Everywhere, with current revisions by Francesca Sloane. Taylor Jenkins Reid herself is involved as executive producer. My Country 96.1FM
Who plays Evelyn Hugo?
No casting details have been announced yet. This is currently the biggest topic of discussion on BookTok: who should play Evelyn Hugo? The community has campaigned for Jessica Chastain for years, but the actress stated years ago that there is "no possibility" of her playing the role. Philstar.comPhilstar.com
The discussion about the perfect cast for Evelyn, Monique, and the seven husbands is currently one of the most active conversations on BookTok and BookTok NL.
Why is this book so special?
There are many BookTok favorites, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has something most other titles don't: it remains relevant. Readers who first read it years ago are re-reading it. New readers discover it every month through recommendations from friends or their FYP.
That's due to several elements that work perfectly together:
Evelyn's voice. Evelyn Hugo is one of the most unforgettable, layered, and complex female characters in contemporary fiction. She is unsympathetic and irresistible at the same time, a combination that few authors portray so well.
The LGBTQ+ story at the heart of the book. The book follows Hugo's attempts to hide both her Cuban heritage and a sapphic romance with another rising film star as she became famous during Hollywood's Golden Age. This story resonates with readers on a level beyond entertainment.
The structural trick. Without giving too much away, the way Reid tells the story is one of the biggest reasons why this book is endlessly discussed and retold.
Read the book before the movie comes out
There is no release date yet for the Netflix movie, but with Anna Kendrick confirmed as director, production has finally truly begun. This is the time to read the book, or reread it, so you're fully ready when the trailer drops.
Want to discover the book without knowing what to expect beforehand? Our Blind Date Book lets you choose the genre while keeping the surprise intact. Save your favorite moments in the book with one of our bookmarks, and track your reading experiences in our Book Review Notepad.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Who is directing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
Anna Kendrick has been tapped to direct the Netflix adaptation, her second film as director after Woman of the Hour from 2024. Variety
Where can I watch The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The movie will be released on Netflix. No release date has been announced yet.
Has a cast been announced for The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo yet?
No casting details have been released yet. The discussion about who should play Evelyn Hugo is currently one of the most active conversations on BookTok. Philstar.com
Who wrote the script?
The script was written by Liz Tigelaar, creator of Little Fires Everywhere, with current revisions by Francesca Sloane. My Country 96.1FM
Is Taylor Jenkins Reid involved in the movie?
Yes, Taylor Jenkins Reid is involved as an executive producer for the film. My Country 96.1FM
Should I read the book before the movie comes out?
Absolutely. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of those books where the reading experience and the viewing experience complement each other. Read the book first for the full emotional impact of the story.
Ready for Evelyn Hugo?
Whether you've read the book multiple times or want to discover it for the first time: now is the time. With Anna Kendrick behind the camera and Taylor Jenkins Reid as executive producer, this adaptation promises to stay true to the book.
Discover your next favorite story with a Blind Date Book, mark your most touching moments with a bookmark, and keep track of how the book affected you in our Book Review Notepad.
Happy reading! 📚✨