A Surprising Onscreen Pairing Brings Fresh Sparks to the Romance Genre
Netflix has officially greenlit a new romantic drama titled “When Autumn Falls,” starring Justin Hartley and Reese Witherspoon in what insiders are calling a “soulful, grown-up love story with unexpected twists.” The film, directed by To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before filmmaker Susan Johnson, promises a story rooted in heartbreak, personal reinvention, and second chances.
In When Autumn Falls, Hartley plays Daniel Avery, a recently divorced architect who retreats to a remote Vermont town after losing both his marriage and his mother in quick succession. There, he crosses paths with Clara Bell, a bestselling children’s author (played by Witherspoon) who is battling creative burnout and reevaluating her long-lost dreams.
Their initial meetings are cold—sometimes even antagonistic—but a shared love for books, broken routines, and deep emotional wounds gradually draws them together. Netflix describes the project as a “tender, atmospheric story about healing at the end of something.”
A More Mature, Emotional Role for Justin Hartley
While Hartley is best known for his emotionally rich performances in This Is Us and his action-packed role in Tracker, this Netflix original offers him a different kind of challenge—one that leans deeply into quiet vulnerability, suppressed grief, and hesitant hope.
Speaking to Variety, Hartley shared his excitement for the character:
“Daniel is a man who’s afraid to be seen again. He’s not the charming guy who walks into the room and owns it. He’s raw, a little lost, and in desperate need of a reboot. I was immediately drawn to that.”
Critics are already praising Netflix’s casting decision. Entertainment columnist Julia Nguyen noted,
“Pairing Hartley with Witherspoon is genius. He brings weight and heart to every performance, and she’s a powerhouse when it comes to grounded romantic leads. This could be The Notebook for a more modern, grown-up audience.”
Reese Witherspoon Returns to Her Rom-Com Roots with Emotional Depth
Witherspoon, whose romantic comedy roles in films like Sweet Home Alabama and Legally Blonde made her a household name, has taken a more dramatic route in recent years with The Morning Show and Wild. But When Autumn Falls marks her return to romance—though with a distinctly more introspective tone.
“This isn’t a fairy tale,” Witherspoon said at a Netflix event. “It’s about people who’ve lived through real things—grief, failure, loneliness—and who still dare to believe that love might find them again. It’s quiet and messy and really beautiful.”
She also praised her co-star, calling Hartley “genuine, present, and so generous to work with.”
Behind the Scenes—A Script That Took Five Years to Find Its Stars
The screenplay for When Autumn Falls was written by indie screenwriter Rachel Elkins, who developed the script over five years, drawing inspiration from real-life letters between her late grandparents and her own experience with heartbreak.
Netflix picked up the project in late 2023, but producers waited for the right pairing of stars. According to executive producer Ava Bloom, “We knew this needed two people who could make quiet chemistry feel like fireworks. Justin and Reese walked into the first table read, and we all knew we had something special.”
Filming began in March 2025, with most of the movie shot in New England towns like Woodstock, Vermont and Camden, Maine, offering a scenic, autumnal backdrop filled with changing leaves, quaint bookstores, and fire-lit cabins.
Fans React to the Teaser Trailer with Excitement and Tears
Netflix released a teaser trailer on June 1st, featuring moody piano music, long gazes, slow dancing in a bookstore, and one breathtaking scene where Hartley’s character reads a handwritten letter under falling leaves. The trailer ends with the line:
“Sometimes the best beginnings come at the end of everything.”
The trailer trended on social media within hours under hashtags like #WhenAutumnFalls and #HartleyWitherspoon, with fans praising the chemistry and autumnal aesthetic.
One fan wrote on X:
“This looks like a hug in movie form. I can already tell I’ll be crying and rewatching it a dozen times.”
Exploring Themes of Midlife Love and Emotional Renewal
Unlike many mainstream romances, When Autumn Falls aims to normalize love after loss, showcasing that life doesn’t end at 40—and neither does emotional discovery. Daniel and Clara are not perfect people. They’re wounded, complicated, and sometimes reluctant to believe in happiness.
Director Susan Johnson describes it as a “film about emotional restoration.”
“The romance here isn’t loud. It builds in the silence, in the missed calls, the pages of a forgotten manuscript, the long walks without words. Justin and Reese have this stillness that speaks volumes.”
Themes explored include:
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Grief and reinvention
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The fragility of second chances
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Creative burnout and purpose
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The intimacy of shared solitude
Awards Buzz and Streaming Release Plans
Though the film won’t be released until fall 2025, Netflix is already positioning When Autumn Falls for awards consideration, including SAG and Golden Globe categories for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.
The movie will have a limited theatrical release in September before streaming exclusively on Netflix globally in October—just in time for the cozy season.
What’s Next for Hartley After This Career Pivot
This role marks a strategic step for Justin Hartley as he continues broadening his post-This Is Us career. With his growing fan base, critical respect, and ability to switch between action, drama, and romance, Hartley is increasingly seen as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men.
He’s also slated to star in another project with Netflix in 2026—a legal drama titled Last Witness—and is in talks to develop a limited series based on a bestselling memoir.
“This is an exciting chapter for me,” Hartley said. “I’m lucky to be doing stories that say something, that make people feel something.”
