Many a romantic comedy premise has centered on a couple who get together under false pretenses. Maybe it’s to make an ex-lover jealous, or to be part of the cool clique at school, or sometimes it’s just a joke. But I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like the new Netflix YA romance, Purple Hearts, in which Sofia Carson plays an aspiring singer who marries a Marine…to get his healthcare benefits.
The Marine in question is played by Nicholas Galitzine, best known for his role as Prince Robert in Prime Video’s recent Cinderella remake. In Purple Hearts, he plays Luke, a Marine who agrees to a marriage of convenience with Carson’s character, Cassie, so she can use the military’s healthcare benefits to treat her Type I diabetes. But when tragedy strikes, they must start acting like a real couple in front of family and friends, and whaddya know? Real feelings start to emerge.
Carson is best known for Disney’s Descendants franchise, but also her emerging pop music career and self-titled album released this year. Also in the cast are Chosen Jacobs, John Harlan Kim, Anthony Ippolito, Kat Cunning, Sarah Rich, Scott Deckert, and Linden Ashby.
Behind the camera is Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, known for her prior work on Sneakerella, Ramona & Beezus, and Aquamarine.
Purple Hearts hits Netflix on July 29th.
