Sean Kaufman admits he wasn’t entirely sure how things would end for his character Steven Conklin in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
In an exclusive Zoom interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor shared that creator Jenny Han kept him “on his toes” when it came to where Steven’s story would land.
“Jenny’s a trickster, she loves surprising people,” Kaufman revealed. “I really didn’t know what was going to happen to Steven until the very end.”
Throughout the Prime Video series, Steven has been quietly carving out his own path while Belly (Lola Tung) navigates her long-running love triangle with Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christopher Briney).
In season three, he faced near-death experiences, quit a job that didn’t fulfill him, and found clarity in his relationship with Taylor (Rain Spencer).
Kaufman reflected on the significance of Steven’s journey, saying it was less about romance and more about learning to prioritize what truly matters.
“Life can change in an instant. Steven finally realizes he has to focus on what makes him happy,” he said.
He also spoke about how the show has shaped his personal career.
“This is what I’ll always be known for, and I’m proud of that. But I want to keep adding to it, to carry more roles alongside Steven,” Kaufman explained.
Beyond the screen, Kaufman described how his bond with the cast has been life-changing. “We bonded in a way I’ll never forget. That connection will outlast the show,” he said.
As for Steven’s ending? Kaufman admitted even he was nervous reading the scripts.
“There were times I thought he wasn’t going to make it,” he laughed. “Jenny changed things so many times, I honestly wasn’t sure what would stick.”
The Summer I Turned Pretty season three finale premieres Wednesday on Prime Video, closing Steven’s chapter and, for Kaufman, opening the door to what comes next.
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