Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty may swoon over the intense love triangle on screen, but actor Christopher Briney says it’s not always as romantic behind the scenes.
The 27-year-old actor recently opened up about one of Season 3’s most emotional scenes—and revealed that filming it was far from dreamy.
The Peach Scene That Had Viewers Talking
In Episode 5 of the third and final season, Briney’s character Conrad Fisher shares a close moment with Belly (played by Lola Tung) at a roadside peach stand. As Belly bites into a peach, juice drips down her face. Conrad gently wipes her mouth with his shirt—a slow, sensual moment that left fans speechless.
But according to Briney, the reality behind filming that scene wasn’t so glamorous. “What was going through my mind was all the gnats that were flying into my mouth because it was awful,” he told Deadline on August 7.
The scene was shot in a high frame rate so it could be played back in slow motion, adding to the emotional effect—but also giving those gnats more screen time than anyone wanted!
Why The Scene Was Risky for Conrad
Beyond the romantic tension, the scene had another layer of drama—Conrad is allergic to peaches. Briney pointed out that this small detail made the scene even riskier for his character.
“I think it’s sort of like an Icarus moment where he loses touch with reality for a second,” he explained. “What else was he going to use? ‘Let me go to the car and get a napkin’? There aren’t napkins in that car.”
For fans, the act of Conrad wiping Belly’s mouth wasn’t just sweet—it symbolised his emotional confusion, especially since Belly is preparing to marry his brother, Jeremiah (played by Gavin Casalegno).
A Bit of Method Acting on Set
Christopher Briney is known for deeply immersing himself in his roles, sometimes taking his acting to the next level—even when the cameras stop rolling. He admitted that during last season’s finale, he may have gone a bit too far with method acting.
“I probably went too far,” he told PEOPLE. “I kept going after they cut.” Co-star Gavin Casalegno, who was also present during the interview, joked, “‘Today’s a good day to method act—for the entire day.’”
This dedication to his role shows how seriously Briney takes his character. Whether it’s dealing with annoying bugs or emotionally complex scenes, he commits fully to telling the story as truthfully as possible.
Christopher Briney’s behind-the-scenes stories prove that TV romance isn’t always as smooth as it looks. From peach allergies and flying insects to emotional tension and full-on method acting, it takes a lot to bring The Summer I Turned Pretty to life. But for fans, those little details—and Briney’s dedication—make the show even more special.
