The Full 'It Ends With Us' Cast: Who Played Lily, Ryle, And Atlas—And The Shocking On-Set Drama That Followed

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s global phenomenon, It Ends With Us, finally hit theaters on August 9, 2024, bringing the heart-wrenching story of Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid, and Atlas Corrigan to the big screen. As of today, December 12, 2025, the conversation around the movie remains intense, not just for its emotional plot but for the dramatic casting decisions and the unexpected controversies that plagued the production, including a fan revolt over costumes and an alleged "circus" of on-set tension.

The star-studded cast, led by Hollywood heavyweights Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, faced immediate scrutiny from the book’s massive fanbase, sparking online debates that continued long after the film's release. This deep dive reveals every actor who brought the beloved characters to life and unpacks the fresh, unique drama that defined the film’s journey from page to cinema.

Meet the Main Cast & Full Biography Profiles

The core of It Ends With Us rests on the shoulders of three complex characters: Lily, Ryle, and Atlas. The casting of these roles, along with key supporting figures, generated the most intense fan reaction, particularly due to the age differences between the actors and the characters described in Colleen Hoover's novel.

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Blake Lively as Lily Bloom

• Character Role: Lily Bloom, a young woman who moves to Boston and starts a flower shop, finding herself caught between a passionate but troubled new love and a significant figure from her past.
• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
• Born: August 25, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Key Career Highlights: Known globally for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the TV series Gossip Girl, as well as starring roles in films like The Age of Adaline, A Simple Favor, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She also served as an Executive Producer on It Ends With Us.

Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid (and Director)

• Character Role: Ryle Kincaid, a successful, charming, and ambitious neurosurgeon with a strong aversion to relationships and a complicated past.
• Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Born: January 24, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Key Career Highlights: Best known for his role as Rafael Solano on the CW telenovela Jane the Virgin. Baldoni is also an accomplished filmmaker, directing films such as Five Feet Apart and Clouds. Crucially, he directed the It Ends With Us movie and served as an Executive Producer.

Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan

• Character Role: Atlas Corrigan, Lily's first love and a former homeless teenager who reappears in her life as a successful chef, representing a safe haven from the complexities of her present.
• Full Name: Brandon Tyler Feakins (Professionally known as Brandon Sklenar)
• Born: June 26, 1990, in Dover, New Jersey, U.S.
• Key Career Highlights: Gained significant recognition for his role as Spencer Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel series 1923. He has also appeared in the films Midway and The Offer.

Supporting Cast Members

• Jenny Slate as Allysa Kincaid: Ryle’s sister and Lily’s close friend and business partner at the flower shop.
• Hasan Minhaj as Marshall: Allysa’s husband and Ryle’s best friend, who provides comic relief in the book.
• Isabela Ferrer as Young Lily: Portraying Lily Bloom during her formative years, particularly her relationship with Atlas.

The Fan Backlash: Casting, Costumes, and Age Concerns

From the moment the main cast was announced, the film adaptation was mired in controversy, primarily fueled by the dedicated fanbase of Colleen Hoover’s novel. The central issue revolved around the perceived age of the actors versus the characters they were playing.

In the book, Lily Bloom is 23 years old when the main story begins, and Ryle Kincaid is 30. Blake Lively, born in 1987, was in her mid-30s during filming, while Justin Baldoni (born 1984) was nearing 40. Fans immediately voiced their disappointment, arguing that the age gap was too significant and would fundamentally change the dynamic of the story, especially given the themes of youthful vulnerability and fresh starts.

Another point of contention was the initial fan desire for Baldoni and Brandon Sklenar to switch roles. Many readers felt that Sklenar’s look and demeanor were more suited to the brooding Ryle, while Baldoni’s softer presence would have been a better fit for the beloved 'safe haven' character, Atlas Corrigan.

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The Costume Controversy: "Puzzlingly Unserious" Wardrobe

The controversy escalated when initial set photos of Blake Lively as Lily Bloom surfaced. Fans were quick to criticize the wardrobe choices, which featured brightly colored, often eccentric outfits that seemed to clash with the serious and emotionally heavy themes of domestic violence and trauma at the core of the narrative.

Critics and fans alike called the costumes "deeply and puzzlingly unserious," arguing they undermined Lily’s character and the overall tone of the film. The backlash was so immediate and intense that it became a major talking point in the media, overshadowing the excitement of the production itself.

Author Colleen Hoover, who served as an executive producer, initially addressed the wardrobe critiques by stating she was "not worried" about the costumes, suggesting fans should "trust the process." However, this statement did little to quell the online uproar.

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Behind-the-Scenes Drama and Colleen Hoover’s Shocking Admission

Beyond the public outcry over casting and costumes, the production faced significant internal hurdles. The filming schedule was notably impacted by the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild Strikes in 2023, causing a shutdown that delayed the original February 2024 release date to the eventual August 9, 2024 premiere.

However, the most startling revelation came from Colleen Hoover herself regarding the on-set environment. In a candid statement made after the film's release, the author admitted that the drama surrounding the movie’s costars and the production process had become a "circus."

Hoover went on to say that she was "embarrassed" to admit she wrote the novel due to the ongoing public and internal tensions. While the exact nature of the "legal feud" or "scandal" between the costars remains vague in public reports, Hoover’s comments cemented the film’s legacy as a production defined as much by its off-screen drama as its on-screen story. This highly unusual public admission from an author about her own adaptation only further fueled the intense curiosity and debate surrounding the film.

The Legacy of the 'It Ends With Us' Adaptation

Despite the controversies, the It Ends With Us film, directed by Justin Baldoni and brought to life by Wayfarer Studios, achieved box-office success, demonstrating the sheer power of the "CoHo" fanbase and the novel’s enduring cultural impact. The film’s narrative, which delves into complex themes of domestic abuse, generational trauma, and second chances, resonated with audiences worldwide.

The performance of the cast, particularly Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, was ultimately judged on its own merits, separate from the initial fan expectations. The film serves as a powerful case study in book-to-screen adaptations, proving that even a project with a powerhouse cast and a beloved source material can face an unprecedented level of scrutiny and drama, making its journey to the screen as compelling as the story itself.