ReelShort‘s version of Things I Wanted To Say by Monica Murphy is putting the vertical world in an online frenzy. The miniseries adaptation breathes life into this standalone novel.
While we get to uncover what the drama is about, let’s also look at the cast, characters, and the story behind the book’s author.
Stick around and discover why this movie is trending.
- Part 1: Things I Wanted to Say, Monica Murphy: The Story Behind the Bestseller
- Part 2: Meet the Cast: Who Plays Who in the Things I Wanted to Say Movie
- Part 3: Is Things I Wanted to Say Movie Worth the Hype?
- Part 4: Recommendation – Similar Movie to Things I Wanted to Say ReelShort Drama
Part 1: Things I Wanted to Say, Monica Murphy: The Story Behind the Bestseller

It’s no doubt that the book, Things I Wanted To Say by Monica Murphy, is an incredible read. The book is popularly known as “Things I Wanted To Say, but Never Did.” It’s part of her broader Lancaster Prep universe.
Monica Murphy is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She’s known for her intriguing and emotionally intense romance novels, and “Things I Wanted To Say” is her first book in the “Lancaster Prep series.”
The book, which is also a standalone novel, is a dark, gripping romance set in an elite prep boarding school. It explores the secrets, desires, and passion between Whit and Summer. It portrays Summer’s battles to escape the dangerous allure of Whit.
The novel is also described as a dark bully romance. It’s set at Lancaster Prep school, an East Coast boarding school. In that school, you’ll witness the collision of love, secrets, and power.
The themes of power, secrecy, forbidden desire, and sexual awakening are explored in the novel. It also combines elements of suspense, raw emotion, and romance.
Other books in the Lancaster Prep series by Monica Murphy include A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime, Birthday Kisses, Promises We Meant to Keep, I’ll Always be with You, You Said I was Your Favorite, New Year’s Day, and Lonely For You Only.
The adaptation of the first book, Things I Wanted To Say, into a movie, is what no one saw coming. Currently, it’s one of the most watched miniseries online.
Part 2: Meet the Cast: Who Plays Who in the Things I Wanted to Say Movie
Kirby Ellwood as Summer Savage

Kirby Ellwood played the role of Summer Savage from Things I Wanted To Say full movie by Monica Murphy. As Summer, she’s that young girl who hides herself from the world. Her mother’s scandal made her insecurities worse.
Meeting Whit, however, changed her life. First, she experienced emotions she never imagined. When she thinks she has seen it all, he introduces irresistible pleasures into her life.
Pablo Kaestli as Whit Lancaster

Pablo Kaestli played the role of Whit, the son of Augustus and Sylvia Lancaster. He has an angelic face, ruthless demeanor, and magnetic presence. He’s feared and adored in his school.
Having his family torn by a silly mistake made him feel weak and miserable. He wanted a perfect and happy family, but now, his mom has left his dad. As for his father, the man shows little to no remorse for his actions.
Whit blames Summer and her mom for the disaster that befell his family. He can’t take out his anger on the main cheats, his father and Summer’s mom. But he definitely can pour it all out on Summer. After all, she’s as weak as he is.
Raina Silver as Sylvie Lancaster

Raina Silver properly represented the character of Sylvie Lancaster just like in the book Things I Wanted To Say by Monica Murphy. As Sylvie, she’s the sweet and understandable sister of Whit.
She handles things well and her emotions are more intact. She doesn’t blame Summer for the actions of their parents.
According to her, there have been signs of her parents not loving themselves anymore. This is what Whit has refused to accept.
Sarah Krawczyk as Caitlin

Every story has a villain and Sarah Krawczyk played the role of Caitlin, one of the antagonists in the Things I Wanted To Say ReelShort movie. Caitlin loves and admires Whit for his wealth, power, and charms.
Like most girls in the school, she satisfies him a lot. She wishes he’ll have eyes for her but with Summer around, it’s impossible. This makes Caitlin another toy Whit uses and dumps.
Part 3: Is Things I Wanted to Say Movie Worth the Hype?

The Things I Wanted To Say movie was released on June 30, 2026. After it was released, it gained over 10 million views. Viewers are dropping positive reviews of how the miniseries adaptation is top-notch.
In the series, you’ll find few changes when compared to the book. These changes, however, don’t make the movie less captivating. They spiced things up and made the chemistry between the leads more intense.
The series started off by introducing the scandal Whit and Summer found themselves in. As teenagers, such aspects of life affect them in ways they don’t understand.
At times like this, the support of a loved one is much appreciated, as it’ll guide and lift them. But for Whit and Summer, they had no one to come to their rescue.
While Summer had enough troubles in her life, Whit decided to add to it. He’s dealing with his own troubled life but taking it all out on Summer wasn’t right.
He knows it but lies to himself. So, he became her top enemy. Despite all that, he finds himself attracted to her the more he tries to push her away and torment her life.
The storyline and plot of their relationship from enemies to inseparable lovers are enticing and quite different from your usual stories. Therefore, the Things I Wanted To Say ReelShort miniseries is worth the hype and buzz.
Part 4: Recommendation – Similar Movie to Things I Wanted to Say ReelShort Drama

One movie that’s quite similar to the Things I Wanted To Say series is Nero Made Men. It has similar pace, intensity, chemistry, and thrill. The plot, however, is different from that of the aforementioned miniseries.
Nero: Made Men comes with its flame that leaves viewers hooked in and spellbinded. It’s a story about a mafia boy sent to deceive and eventually terminate a waitress.
He’s going to eliminate the waitress because she’s suspected to have witnessed his family committing murder. The mafia family fears she might also have heard too much from the crime scene.
The only way to silence her quickly and swiftly is by sending their heir, Nero, to win her heart. She’ll be his girlfriend, and in that relationship, he’ll end her life.
The waitress is Elle, and she’s a student at Legacy Prep. Nero is also a student there, but now, he has a mission.
Elle and Nero have an ugly past together. It didn’t just start from when she witnessed his family’s crime. Apparently, Nero is the king at their high school, while she’s one of those students he bullies.
She despises him and he sees her as a nobody. How then does he intend to pull off his newly assigned mission? It might be easy to terminate her, but making her fall for him is looking impossible.
Want to see how this series turns out?
Visit the ReelShort website or download the app, and start streaming. Don’t forget to also check out the Things I Wanted To Say ReelShort movie.