For Halle Bailey, the dream of Italy was always a vivid, sun-drenched fantasy—a woman running through endless vineyards under a vast, blue sky. This spring, that fantasy became reality as Bailey starred in Universal’s new romantic comedy, You, Me & Tuscany, set among the golden hills and ancient towns of Italy’s storied countryside. As the film’s April 10, 2026, release approaches, Bailey and co-star Regé-Jean Page have been lighting up London’s press circuit with their undeniable chemistry and standout style, while behind the scenes, the production itself became a celebration of Italian culture, landscape, and life.
Bailey, best known for her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, plays Anna, a culinary-school dropout from New York who impulsively flees to a Tuscan villa and winds up pretending to be the owner’s fiancée. Opposite her is Page, the charismatic Bridgerton alum, as Michael, a polyglot vintner with charm to spare. The film’s plot is a classic romantic entanglement—a family restaurant, mistaken identities, and enough handmade pici pasta and Brunello wine to make viewers hungry for more than just love.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the shoot was as authentic as it gets. Director Kat Coiro, herself Italian-American, was determined to get every detail right. She brought on Italian production designer Elena Albanese and even hired local chefs as food consultants to ensure that every plate and glass on screen rang true to Italy. "I kept saying, 'Don’t let me get the Italian-ness wrong,'" Coiro explained, emphasizing her desire for the film to feel like a love letter to Italians themselves.
Filming spanned 34 days, split between Rome’s legendary Cinecittà studios and the rolling Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its Renaissance towns and fragrant pecorino cheese. The cast and crew quickly adapted to Italian work rhythms—shorter hours and a focus on enjoying life outside the set. "They do not live to work," Coiro told The Hollywood Reporter. "They work to enjoy." This insistence on balance shaped the entire production, with locations kept close together and every hour used efficiently. The result? A shoot that felt as much like a vacation as a job.
Bailey brought her nearly 2-year-old son, Halo, along for the adventure, and the local crew welcomed them both like family. "Everyone would pass the baby around and dote on him," she recalled. To prepare for her role as a would-be chef, Bailey took multiple cooking classes, mastering the pan flip and knife techniques, and spent downtime shopping for kitchen treasures—yellow lemon plates, olive oils, and jellies.
Page, meanwhile, took full advantage of his days off, exploring Tuscan hill towns in a rented 4x4. "My favorite hobby was just getting in the car and driving to a new little hamlet," he said. "You’d pick one restaurant and just eat whatever Nonna’s cooking—half the time it’s a grandma back there in the kitchen. It’s the best way to discover food and people." He even based himself at Borgo Santo Pietro, a medieval hamlet-turned-farm estate, running in the mornings and enjoying the countryside’s peace. On the last day of filming, Page sent cast and crew home with bottles of estate wine—a fitting tribute to the land that shaped their experience.
Authenticity extended to every aspect of production. The script, originally featuring just one convertible, soon included a three-wheeled Ape, a Fiat Topolino, a Maserati, and even a Vespa—though, as Coiro joked, "The Italians begged me not to since every American movie has a Vespa. So there’s just one, deep in the background." During a wine-tasting scene, Bailey and Page realized the wine was real, not grape juice, adding a touch of genuine Italian spirit to their performance.
Off set, the cast and crew embraced Italian life. Bailey discovered Narni, a natural thermal pool in Umbria, and visited twice, calling the turquoise waters "invigorating." Coiro found her own oasis at Adler Spa Resort Thermae in Val d’Orcia, where her Oura ring registered a state of pure calm. Every Friday night, the production wrapped with a DJ spinning in the piazza, and local guitar players—hired as extras—joined impromptu dance parties. This atmosphere of joy and connection inspired Coiro to rewrite the film’s ending to include a festive party, capturing the spirit of Tuscany itself.
As the press tour hit London, Bailey’s fashion choices turned heads and set trends. For the film’s portraits, she wore a soft tan, tailored set—zip-up jacket cinched at the waist and matching skirt—embodying effortless utilitarian style. Her locs were styled into sculpted space buns, her makeup soft and glowing, and statement earrings completed the look. At the March 23 UK screening, Bailey switched to a monochromatic black leather ensemble by Raisa Vanessa, styled by Bryon Javar. The look—a crop jacket with fur trim and velvet embroidery, paired with a matching midi skirt with a thigh-high slit—balanced structure and texture. She accessorized with Solanales two-tone and crystal earrings by Alexis Bittar and classic pointed-toe black heels.
Page complemented her at every turn. For the portraits, he kept it relaxed with a patterned cardigan, white tee, and dark pants. On the red carpet, he cleaned up in a sharp suit, neutral top, and a silver chain—definitely leading man material. Their chemistry was palpable, both on and off screen. In an interview with Extra, Page said, "I think most of chemistry is trust. Halle is an incredibly great co-star. She’s incredibly easy to trust." Bailey, a self-proclaimed Bridgerton fan, echoed the sentiment: "I felt like it was very easy for us to get to know each other…They start off like not being sure about each other and then this blooms into something. It was fun bouncing off of each other." She even shared that her sister Chloe had a bit of "sister gossip" about Page before filming began.
The film’s embrace of Italian authenticity extended to its sustainability efforts as well. Supported by NBCUniversal’s GreenerLight program, the production prioritized reusable materials, with sets stored, returned, or donated after filming. The art department’s commitment to sustainability mirrored the film’s themes—fresh organic food, connection to the land, and a culture of reuse.
As You, Me & Tuscany prepares to charm audiences worldwide, it stands as more than a romantic comedy. It’s a celebration of Italian life, a showcase for Bailey and Page’s dazzling chemistry, and a visual feast for anyone who’s ever dreamed of running through a vineyard under the Tuscan sun. For Bailey, the experience was a fantasy come to life. "Close your eyes," she says. "The vineyard fantasy is right there."