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7 Shocking Secrets About Denise Russo In The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3—And Her Unexpected Role In The Finale

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The Summer I Turned Pretty (TSITP) has a history of expanding minor book characters into major on-screen players, and no one embodies this transformation more dramatically than Denise Russo. As of the latest updates in December 2025, the buzz surrounding the character of Denise, played by the rising star Isabella Briggs, is at an all-time high, primarily due to her pivotal and highly unexpected role in the show's third season. Denise's introduction is not just a side-story; it's a major plot engine that creates new romantic triangles and professional conflicts for both Steven and Jeremiah Fisher, completely diverging from the original book trilogy.

Denise Russo steps into the Cousins Beach universe not as a local, but as a sharp, ambitious professional in the corporate world, forcing the main characters to confront the realities of life beyond summer vacation. Her presence at Breaker Capital—the company where Steven and Jeremiah intern—becomes the epicenter of the season’s most surprising storylines, including a controversial love interest arc that has sparked intense debate among fans of the Jenny Han series. This article dives deep into the character, the actress, and the seven biggest secrets surrounding Denise's game-changing role in the final season.

Isabella Briggs: Biography and Profile of the Actress Behind Denise Russo

Isabella Briggs brings the dynamic character of Denise Russo to life in *The Summer I Turned Pretty* Season 3. Her casting quickly drew attention as she was one of the key new faces announced for the final installment of the beloved Prime Video series. Briggs is considered a rising star in the industry, with a background that suggests a strong foundation in acting.

  • Full Name: Isabella Briggs
  • Role in TSITP: Denise Russo
  • Date of Birth: June 5, 2000
  • Age (as of 2025): 25 years old
  • Education: She is an alumna of the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, a fact she shares with her *TSITP* co-star Lola Tung (Belly Conklin).
  • Known For: Her portrayal of Denise Russo in *The Summer I Turned Pretty* Season 3, as well as previous appearances in the 2023 series *Fatal Attraction* and other projects like *Colin in Black & White*.
  • Career Highlight: Denise Russo is arguably her breakout role, a captivating portrayal that has placed her at the heart of one of the most discussed plot lines of the show's final season.

The Shocking Season 3 Role: Denise as Steven’s Boss at Breaker Capital

Denise Russo is introduced early in Season 3 as a senior associate at Breaker Capital, the company where Steven Fisher (Belly's brother) secures a highly competitive internship. This setting immediately shifts the tone from the carefree beach environment of Cousins to the high-stakes world of finance, providing a new backdrop for character development. Steven, who is ambitious and determined to prove himself, finds himself working directly under Denise.

Her position as Steven’s supervisor, or "boss," is the initial source of tension and a key driver of the plot. Denise is portrayed as sharp, professional, and older than the main cast, which sets the stage for the romantic complications that follow. This professional environment is also where Jeremiah Fisher eventually joins, as he and Steven both work at Adam Fisher’s company, creating a dynamic where both Fisher brothers are interacting with Denise in a professional and, later, personal capacity.

1. Major Book vs. Show Divergence: From Assistant to Main Character

The biggest secret about Denise Russo is that she is a massive expansion of a nearly invisible character in the original book series, *We'll Always Have Summer*. In the books, a character named Denise Colletti is merely Adam Fisher’s assistant. Her only real function is helping to plan Belly and Jeremiah’s wedding. The show’s decision to elevate her to a main character—giving her a new last name (Russo), a major job title (Senior Associate), and central romantic storylines—is a deliberate choice by the showrunners to inject fresh drama and unpredictability into the final season, ensuring that even book readers are surprised.

2. The Unconventional Steven and Denise Romance

One of the central, and most debated, romantic arcs of Season 3 involves Steven and Denise. The dynamic starts with a clear power imbalance, given that Denise is Steven's boss at Breaker Capital. Their relationship quickly moves from professional to romantic, with Steven developing a strong interest in her while they are interning. This relationship is a significant departure for Steven, who has historically been focused on his own circle of friends and family. However, the romance doesn't pan out. The season ultimately shows that things "didn't pan out between Denise and Stephen," confirming the relationship was a temporary, if impactful, detour for both characters.

The Final Season’s Biggest Twist: Denise and Jeremiah Fisher

While the Steven/Denise pairing was a major talking point, the true shocker of the season finale involves her connection to Jeremiah Fisher. This development is the most significant deviation from the source material and provides a definitive, non-Belly-related ending for one of the Fisher brothers.

3. Jeremiah's Post-Belly Life and the New Romance

The show's finale, while resolving the main "Belly and Conrad" reunion, also provides closure for Jeremiah. The final scenes reveal that Jeremiah is "still crashing at Denise’s apartment," indicating a new, serious connection has formed between the two. This relationship is hinted at as a balanced resolution, allowing the core "Belly and Conrad's romance to flourish" while giving Jeremiah a path forward with a new love interest. This twist is a creative way to give Jeremiah a happy ending without altering the central "endgame" of the books.

4. The "Rushed" Relationship Debate

The speed at which the Jeremiah and Denise relationship develops in Season 3 has been a major source of discussion and debate on social media platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Many viewers felt the pairing was "rushed," especially given the intense focus on the Steven/Denise dynamic earlier in the season. However, the show uses this relationship to signify Jeremiah's growth and his readiness to move on from his deep, complicated history with Belly, finding a connection with a mature, established professional like Denise Russo.

5. Denise as a Catalyst for Steven and Jeremiah’s Growth

Beyond romance, Denise Russo serves as a critical catalyst for the personal and professional growth of both Steven and Jeremiah. She represents the "real world" and the pressures of adult life. Her presence at Breaker Capital pushes Steven to be more serious about his career, while her eventual relationship with Jeremiah helps him navigate the emotional fallout of his breakup with Belly. She acts as an anchor for Jeremiah in a tumultuous time, providing him with stability and a fresh start outside the confines of Cousins Beach drama.

6. The Unseen Future: Did Denise Replace a Book Character?

Some fan theories suggest that Denise's expanded role absorbed the storylines of other potential minor characters from the books who might have provided a post-Belly love interest for Jeremiah. By making Denise a co-worker and a mature connection, the show efficiently closes the Jeremiah chapter in a way that feels organic to the new, more career-focused direction of Season 3, which centers around Adam Fisher's company and the characters' life in the city. Her character prevents the need for a completely new, unestablished love interest to appear suddenly in the finale.

7. Topical Authority: Denise and the "Breaker Capital" Entity

The entire Denise Russo storyline is intrinsically linked to the entity of Breaker Capital. This fictional company, which is the setting for the Fisher brothers' summer internships, provides the topical authority for Denise's character. She is the face of this environment, representing the professional stakes that the characters now face. The plot points—Steven's ambition, Jeremiah's rejection of the Breaker job, and the intern relationships—all revolve around Denise and the company, making her a vital link between the characters' past at Cousins and their future careers.

denise the summer i turned pretty
denise the summer i turned pretty

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