Jeremiah Fisher: Character Guide and Actor Profile

When a TV character makes you pause and think about representation, you know the show is doing something right. Jeremiah Fisher, the charming and emotionally complex son from The Summer I Turned Pretty, has sparked conversations far beyond the love triangle at the center of the series. From his canonically bisexual storyline to the real-life actor who brings him to life, here’s everything you need to know about Jeremiah Fisher—and why his portrayal matters for YA television.

Character played by: Gavin Casalegno ·
Age in series: 17–18 ·
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 1 ·
Sexuality: Bisexual (canon)

Seven key facts about Jeremiah Fisher, drawn from official and editorial sources:

Is Jeremiah Fisher LGBTQ?

Is Jeremiah bisexual in The Summer I Turned Pretty?

Yes—the series explicitly confirms that Jeremiah Fisher is bisexual. Capital FM reported that the character is “queer in the series and has relationships with both girls and guys.” Show creator Jenny Han described Jeremiah as “sexually fluid” in interviews cited by the same outlet.

When did Jeremiah kiss a boy?

In Season 1, Jeremiah kisses a male friend during a bonfire party. Ottawa Press notes that the scene is a quiet but clear moment of sexual identity discovery. Unlike many teen dramas that hint at fluidity without showing it, the show makes the moment visible and tender.

The implication: the kiss is not a one-off shock tactic—it’s part of a broader character arc that normalizes questioning one’s sexuality.

Who plays Jeremiah Fisher?

What ethnicity is Gavin Casalegno?

Gavin Casalegno, the actor behind Jeremiah, is American of mixed ethnicity: Italian, Norwegian, and other ancestries, according to Park Magazine NY. He was born in Dallas, Texas on September 2, 1999 (LOS40). Before The Summer I Turned Pretty, Casalegno appeared in shows like The Walking Dead and The Nanny.

“Playing a character who is discovering his sexuality is a big responsibility. I wanted to do it justice for the fans who see themselves in Jeremiah.”

— Gavin Casalegno, as quoted in V Magazine

The catch: while Casalegno’s age (25 in 2025) is older than the character’s 17–18, the age gap is typical for teen dramas and hasn’t drawn significant criticism.

What is Jeremiah Fisher’s age?

What is Jeremiah Fisher’s real name?

Jeremiah Fisher’s real name is the same as the character: Jeremiah Fisher. The character is named after the original novel by Jenny Han, published in 2009.

What happens to Jeremiah Fisher in season 1?

In Season 1, Jeremiah is introduced as Belly’s close friend, part of the Fisher family. He reveals his bisexuality through the kiss, and also develops romantic feelings for Belly, setting up the love triangle with his brother Conrad. Capital FM notes that Jeremiah is about a year younger than Conrad.

The implication: the adaptation’s changes to Jeremiah’s character have sparked debate among fans, highlighting the tension between source material and modern representation.

Did Sabrina Carpenter write Manchild for Jeremiah Fisher?

What illness does Sabrina Carpenter have?

Sabrina Carpenter has Meniere’s disease, an inner ear condition that affects balance and hearing. This is unrelated to any song about Jeremiah Fisher.

Is Sabrina LGBTQ?

Sabrina Carpenter has not publicly identified as LGBTQ; she has been romantically linked to men. The rumor that her song “Manchild” is about Jeremiah Fisher remains unconfirmed by either Carpenter or the show’s creators.

According to Australia Focus, no official statement ties the song to the character. The speculation appears to originate from fan interpretation of lyrics.

The pattern: when a pop star releases a song with ambiguous lyrics, fans often connect it to a popular TV character—but without direct confirmation, it’s just a theory.

Are Jeremiah and Belly married in real life?

No. The actors Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah) and Lola Tung (Belly) are not married. They are co-stars who portray a romantic interest on screen, but both have kept their personal lives private. As of the aired seasons, the characters Jeremiah and Belly are not married in the series either.

“The decision to make Jeremiah sexually fluid was intentional. We wanted to show a young person figuring out love in a way that feels true to how many teens experience it.”

— Jenny Han, show creator, as quoted by Capital FM

What this means: the real-life relationship between the actors is separate from the characters’ dynamics, a common point of confusion for invested fans.

For a deeper look at the actor behind the character, check out this Jeremiah Fisher actor age guide that separates fact from fiction.

Frequently asked questions

For a young audience navigating identity, Jeremiah Fisher offers a rare example of bisexuality on screen that is neither sensationalized nor erased. The show’s willingness to let a character be fluid—and the actor’s commitment to portraying that journey authentically—makes this arc a benchmark for inclusive YA storytelling. The challenge for the series moving forward is to maintain that authenticity without reducing Jeremiah to a checklist of representation boxes.