Emily Bader from People We Meet on Vacation believes that we should expect more from romantic comedies.

      When the casting news was announced in August 2024 for Netflix's adaptation of Emily Henry's hugely successful slow-burn romance novel *People We Meet on Vacation*, the online community erupted with excitement. After months of waiting, we finally got a glimpse of Poppy and Alex, the friends-to-lovers pair who have enchanted countless readers. Soon after, actress Emily Bader's name began trending on X. With Henry’s endorsement and a very positive reaction from fans, Bader could finally relax, having passed her first challenge. "As a fan of books myself, it's always this impossible scenario," Bader shares with me from her hotel room. "Everyone has their own unique and specific vision of these characters."

      It's early December, and Bader has already started the promotional tour for *People We Meet on Vacation*. Just a few days before our interview, she, along with co-star Tom Blyth (from *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*) and director Brett Haley, surprised fans at a screening at Prytania Theatre in New Orleans, where they were met with a thrilled audience. The response was again overwhelmingly positive, marking the second hurdle achieved. The final challenge will be winning over the broader Netflix audience when the film releases on January 9.

      Many recognize Bader from her breakout performance in the Amazon Prime Video series *My Lady Jane*, a 16th-century romantic comedy that was canceled too soon after just one season, stirring backlash from devoted fans and online campaigns to revive the show. It was a heartbreaking experience for Bader, who forged lasting friendships during the project. "Jane was a dream role for me," she recalls. "Riding a horse in a custom corset gown down the ramps of Dover Castle in England, which I had never visited before, felt like a fantasy." While the inability to continue Jane's story was tough for Bader, the supportive fan response was comforting. "Knowing that people will carry these characters with them makes it all worthwhile," she adds.

      Before Bader could embody Poppy, it was crucial for her and Blyth, who was already cast as Alex, to share undeniable chemistry. They first met via Zoom with everyone—Haley, the producers, the casting director, and even Henry—present on the call. "You could really feel the energy," Bader laughs. "I thought, 'I better not mess this up.'" Although a chemistry read over Zoom isn't ideal, Bader mentions, "You just try to connect through the camera and hope your Wi-Fi doesn't sabotage your chance." After an hour, the session ended, and then began the dreaded waiting period. However, Bader felt optimistic about the outcome. "I truly thought it went very well with Tom, with Brett, with everyone, so I found it hard to let go," she says. Fortunately, everything fell into place rather quickly.

      At the fan screening in New Orleans, Haley spoke about the current landscape of rom-coms and his belief that the genre should be regarded as cinema. When I asked Bader a similar question, she echoed the director’s views, stating, "There’s an energy suggesting that people want more of the classic rom-com." She firmly believes that romantic comedies hold a significant place in audience hearts, which means we should demand more from them. She continues, "I think character-driven, slice-of-life romantic films will always be cherished and are experiencing a revival, with more attention being paid to them. They may not always be on the 'Letterboxd four,' but let's be honest—those are the films we watch the most. … Each year, you find yourself thinking, ‘Oh, that movie is halfway through; I’m putting it on right now.'" Among Bader's favorites are *French Kiss* with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline, *Overboard* with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, and *Pretty Woman*. "I can't even mention *When Harry Met Sally*," she sighs, "because it's Tom's absolute favorite. He's claimed that one."

      2026 is already shaping up to be a significant year for Bader. *People We Meet on Vacation* kicks things off positively, and she mentions having a few projects in the pipeline that she can’t yet disclose. By November, she will celebrate her 30th birthday. When I bring up the milestone, she rolls her eyes, expressing her dislike for birthdays, but admits she is genuinely looking forward to her 30s and what this new decade will entail.

      Acting has always been Bader's top priority for as long as she can remember. She never envisioned herself doing anything else as a child. While most kids fantasize about being doctors, teachers, or dreaming of becoming zookeepers or astronauts, Bader was busy portraying characters from Hayao Miyazaki films. "All his films feature incredibly dynamic young female leads. I would watch those movies over and