The Walking Dead's Lauren Cohan is the first crush who turns up before the wedding in a summer-camp rom-com
Lauren Cohan and Jake Epstein are set to star in Eric Stoltz’s indie rom-com, spun from its writers’ real-life friendship — and it’s heading to summer camp.
If you ever wished for a summer camp reunion rom-com starring a zombie slayer and a Degrassi heartthrob, this one’s got your name all over it. Lauren Cohan (yes, Maggie from The Walking Dead) and Jake Epstein (Degrassi, Suits) are teaming up for Both Sides Now, a good old-fashioned indie comedy about love, nostalgia, and quite a lot of Canadian summer camp baggage.
Production started on 19 September 2026 in Muskoka, Ontario, and is due to finish in just over a month, by 20 October.
Story, Cast, and Old Camp Secrets
Here’s the setup: a close-knit bunch of friends, now pushing forty, come together at the Jewish summer camp where they bonded years ago. They’re there to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Epstein’s character, Eddie. Naturally, things go off-script when Erin (Cohan) — Eddie’s first crush — shows up to Eddie’s pre-wedding do. Spark, meet gasoline.
The supporting lineup is worth a mention: Erich Bergen (Madam Secretary) plays Lloyd, Eddie’s mate who, just to stir the pot, invites Erin in the first place. Justin Chatwin and Brian Norris are also along for the emotional fallout. Expect plenty of unresolved feelings and the usual heartbreak that comes with seeing your ex at a gathering where alcohol is almost certainly involved.
Life Off-Screen Inspires the Script
The story’s co-writers, Hailey Lustig and composer Robbie Roth, are genuinely mates from childhood and claim they were literally born in the same Toronto hospital either side of midnight. They even attended the type of summer camp the film’s about, and have stayed friends ever since. They reckon their long history together made writing the film’s dynamic and dialogue feel ‘incredibly natural’. Roth, pulling double duty, has also written six original songs (yep, six!) to be performed onscreen by the cast — so there’s a fair bit of a musical bent sneaking in, too.
Director, Production & Indie Credentials
Eric Stoltz is behind the camera for this one, and he’s gone out of his way to praise the script’s emotional swings. In his own words:
This script made me laugh, made me a bit nostalgic, and then caught me off guard emotionally.
He’s also a big fan of how Roth’s music is woven right through the fabric of the story. As for finances, the film’s coming to life courtesy of Three Birds Landing Productions, an indie outfit making their first foray into features, with help from producer Carrie Mudd, co-writer/producer Lustig, Erin Berry, and partnership from Peacock Alley Entertainment.