The sand still clings to her feet, a stubborn reminder of summers past, but Belly Conklin’s world is on the verge of irreversible transformation. A ring glimmers ominously in the moonlight, a letter arrives bearing words that shatter the soul, and a single choice threatens to unravel every cherished memory from those endless days at Cousins Beach. The full trailer for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 4 has finally dropped, and it’s a whirlwind of emotional devastation, laced with cryptic Taylor Swift Easter eggs and twists that hit like a tidal wave. Who’s walking away from the love triangle for good, and who’s anchoring themselves in Belly’s future? Prime Video unleashed this two-and-a-half-minute masterpiece last night, and the internet is in absolute frenzy. If your heart survived Seasons 1 through 3, brace yourselfâthis one might be the breaker. Watch it now on YouTube or the Prime app, and dive into the speculation below. Your theories could be the key to unlocking what’s next!
For the uninitiated (though, really, where have you been?), The Summer I Turned Pretty is more than a teen dramaâit’s a cultural phenomenon born from Jenny Han’s bestselling trilogy, adapted into a Prime Video juggernaut that captures the bittersweet essence of youth, love, and loss. Lola Tung stars as Isabel “Belly” Conklin, the girl whose annual escapes to the idyllic Cousins Beach house entwine her fate with the Fisher brothers: the enigmatic, brooding Conrad (Christopher Briney) and the charismatic, adventurous Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Over three seasons, we’ve watched Belly navigate crushes, heartbreaks, family tragediesâlike the devastating loss of Susannah Fisher (Rachel Blanchard)âand the infamous love triangle that has divided fans into fierce camps. Season 3, which premiered in mid-2025, wrapped the book series with Belly choosing Conrad in a tear-soaked finale, but whispers of renewal hinted at more. And now, with Season 4 greenlit for a 2026 summer drop, the trailer confirms we’re venturing into original territory, beyond Han’s pages, into the uncharted waters of adulthood.
Jenny Han, who serves as showrunner and executive producer, has been coy about details, but in a recent Zoom panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, she teased, “We’re exploring what happens after ‘happily ever after.’ Life doesn’t end at the beachâ it evolves, and so do relationships.” The series has amassed over 150 million global views, spawning merchandise lines, fan conventions, and a soundtrack that’s basically a Taylor Swift greatest hits album. Speaking of Swiftâher music has been the emotional backbone of the show since Day 1, with tracks like “Cruel Summer” and “Lover” underscoring pivotal moments. This trailer? It’s riddled with Swiftian clues that have Swifties and TSITP fans alike dissecting every frame like it’s a vault track puzzle.
Let’s dissect the trailer chronologically, because every second is engineered to evoke maximum anguish. It opens with a haunting aerial shot of Cousins Beach at twilight, the waves lapping gently as Belly walks barefoot along the shore. The sand clings to her feetâa visual metaphor for the past refusing to let go. Taylor Swift’s “The Lakes” (from Folklore) plays faintly in the background, its lyrics about escaping to a poetic hideaway mirroring Belly’s internal turmoil. Voiceover from Belly: “I thought the hardest part was saying goodbye to summer. But what if it’s saying hello to forever?” Cut to her in a dimly lit room, holding a small velvet box. The ring in the moonlightâoh, that ring. It sparkles with promise, but her expression is one of dread. Is it an engagement ring from Conrad? A family heirloom from Susannah? Fans are theorizing it’s a proposal gone wrong, tying into Swift’s “Champagne Problems,” where a ring is rejected under twinkling lights.
The pace quickens with flashes of the new status quo. Belly’s moved to Boston for her dream job at a boutique publishing houseâthink editing romance novels that eerily parallel her life. We see her in a chic office, poring over manuscripts, but isolation creeps in: late nights alone, scrolling through old photos of Cousins. Laurel (Jackie Chung) appears in a heartfelt scene, handing Belly a letter that “breaks your heart.” The envelope is sealed with wax, and as Belly reads, tears stream down her face. Close-ups reveal snippets: “I can’t keep pretending…” and “This summer changed everything.” Whose letter is it? Conrad’s confession of doubt? Jeremiah’s plea for a second chance? Or something from Steven (Sean Kaufman), revealing a family secret? The trailer masterfully keeps it ambiguous, but the gut-wrenching twist here feels like a nod to Swift’s “Dear John,” a letter of farewell laced with regret.
Enter the brothers, and the love triangle reignites with fresh fire. Conrad is first, in a moonlit park scene where he slips the ring onto Belly’s fingerâtentatively, as if testing the waters. Christopher Briney’s performance is a study in quiet intensity; his eyes convey volumes as he whispers, “I’ve waited my whole life for this.” But cracks show: arguments in the rain, Conrad staring at the ocean back at Cousins, hinting at his lingering grief over his mother. His arc seems to explore commitment phobiaâcan the brooding poet commit to a life beyond the beach? Swift clue alert: The scene syncs with “Midnight Rain,” about chasing dreams over stability, suggesting Conrad might be the one walking away.
Jeremiah, ever the bold counterpart, crashes in with high-energy montages. Gavin Casalegno’s Jere is all sunshine and determination, showing up at Belly’s Boston doorstep with tickets to a Taylor Swift concert (meta much?). They share a passionate kiss under city lights, but tension brewsâa heated exchange where Jere accuses, “You’re choosing the ghost of what we had over what’s real.” His bold heart pushes for adventure: road trips, spontaneous dances, but the trailer hints at maturity; Jere’s pursuing marine biology studies, symbolizing his growth from party boy to grounded partner. A pivotal twist: Jere holding the same letter, his face crumbling. Is he the author, or the victim? Fans spot a Swift Easter egg in a background poster for Evermore, album of lost loves, implying Jere might be staying for good, fighting for Belly’s heart.
The choice that could rewrite every summer? It’s crystallized in a climactic sequence at the Cousins house, now up for saleâa gut-punch reveal that has fans sobbing. Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah gather for one last bonfire, echoes of past seasons flickering in the flames. Belly stands between them, the ring on her finger, the letter in her pocket. “Who do you choose?” Conrad asks softly. “Not whoâwhat,” Belly replies, voice breaking. The trailer cuts to black with Swift’s “The Archer” swelling: “Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?” It’s a masterstroke, leaving us questioning if Belly’s choice is love at allâor independence, rewriting her narrative without the brothers.
Beyond the core trio, the trailer teases rich subplots. Taylor (Rain Spencer) is Belly’s rock, video-calling with sassy advice: “Girl, pick the one who makes you feel like a Swift songâepic, not tragic.” Steven gets depth, dealing with his own romance and the family fallout from the house sale. Laurel’s writing career blossoms, but she’s haunted by memories, sharing a tender moment with Belly about moving on. New characters emerge: a charming colleague at Belly’s job (played by newcomer Alex Wolff), sparking jealousy, and a mysterious figure from Susannah’s past, adding layers of intrigue. Visuals shift from beachy pastels to urban grays, with director Amy Sherman-Palladino (on board for episodes) infusing Gilmore Girls-esque wit into the dialogue.
What elevates this trailer to legendary status are the Taylor Swift integrations. Beyond the soundtrackâfeaturing remixed snippets from 1989 (Taylor’s Version) like “Wildest Dreams” during a fantasy sequenceâthere are visual clues. A clock stuck at 2:13 (Swift’s birthday month/day reversed), a red scarf in Belly’s suitcase (nod to “All Too Well”), and a mirror reflection showing Belly in a cardigan (Folklore vibes). Swift herself endorsed the show on Instagram last year, posting, “These summers are turning pretty emotionalâproud of my girl Jenny!” Fans theorize a cameo or original song for Season 4, given Han’s friendship with the pop icon.
The frenzy is real. Within hours of the trailer’s September 14, 2025, release, #TSITPSeason4Trailer amassed 10 million views, trending globally on X (formerly Twitter). TikTok exploded with reaction videos: users stitching the ring scene with “Enchanted” lyrics, or theorizing the letter as a “Death by a Thousand Cuts.” Reddit’s r/TheSummerITurnedPretty hit 500k subscribers overnight, with megathreads like “Decoding the Swift Clues: Is Belly Going Solo?” One viral post: “The ring is from JereâConrad’s walking away to pursue music, like in the books’ epilogue!” X polls show Team Conrad at 45%, Team Jeremiah at 40%, and Team Belly-Independent at 15%. Celebrities joined: Taylor Swift liked the trailer post, while Olivia Rodrigo tweeted, “This trailer just therapied meâ who else is crying?”
Cast reactions fuel the fire. Lola Tung told Entertainment Tonight, “Belly’s world changing forever means facing choices that aren’t black-and-white. The trailer only scratches the surfaceâget tissues ready.” Briney teased on his podcast, “Conrad’s arc is about letting go, but not without a fight.” Casalegno, in a live IG, grinned: “Jere’s staying, folksâbold heart wins!” Han promised diversity in storytelling, with episodes tackling mental health, career pressures, and queer narratives through supporting characters.
Speculating wildly (because that’s half the fun), Season 4 could span a year, alternating between Boston and Cousins flashbacks. The ring? Likely a proposal from Conrad, but the letter reveals Jeremiah’s hidden feelings, forcing a reevaluation. Gut-wrenching twists might include a time jump, a pregnancy scare, or the house’s demolition symbolizing closure. Swift clues point to themes from Midnights: insomnia-fueled decisions, anti-heroes in love. New city dynamics introduce temptationsâBelly’s boss mentoring her, but blurring lines; Jere’s studies leading to distance; Conrad’s potential relapse into isolation.
Thematically, it’s about evolution. As Belly sheds the sand, she embraces complexityâlove isn’t a triangle anymore, but a web of self-discovery. The trailer’s packed twists remind us why we fell for this show: it’s not just romance; it’s the ache of growing up. Whoâs walking away? Perhaps the past. Whoâs staying? The memories that shape us.
As we await the 2026 premiere, this trailer has reignited the summer fever. Watch it, rewatch it, dissect itâyour heart wonât survive unscathed, but that’s the beauty of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Join the frenzy in comments: Ring theories? Swift predictions? Who’s endgame? The sand may cling, but the story marches on.