Sarah Michelle Gellar to star in Bad Summer People

Sarah Michelle Gellar has come on board to star in and produce Bad Summer People, a television adaptation of Emma Rosenblum's best-selling novel.Cara DiPaolo will write and produce the project. The project is being produced by Linden Productions and A+E Studios, who will develop it in-house before offering it to buyers. Riva Marker and Deanna Barillari of Linden Productions and JoAnne Colonna are also executive producers.



Bad Summer People, which has drawn comparisons to The White Lotus, is set in the idyllic fictional town of Salcombe, Fire Island, and follows a series of life-shattering events when a body is discovered on the side of the boardwalk.

The series centers on enemies and manipulators Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker. Together with their husbands, childhood friends Sam and Jason, they have been summering on the island for years, but this summer everything is turned upside down when lifelong grudges and secrets come to light.

“Bad Summer People is a deliciously sharp and addictive series. Emma’s novel practically leapt off the page, and in Cara’s hands—alongside a dream team of producers at Linden and the iconic Sarah Michelle Gellar—it becomes something even more unforgettable,” said Tana Jamieson, Co-Head/EVP Creative Affairs, A+E Studios. “This is the kind of bold, premium storytelling we’re proud to champion at A+E Studios.”

Gellar (pictured above) stars in the Showtime series Dexter: Original Sin and will return for the upcoming second season. She is known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and will reprise her title role in the Hulu pilot from 20th Television and Searchlight TV, directed by Chloé Zhao.

DiPaolo recently served as co-executive producer on the Netflix series No Good Deed. Her production credits include Netflix’s Dead to Me, Apple TV+’s Physical and Showtime’s The Big C.