These flattering parallels have been drawn not just by fans, but also by her co-star, Tom Blyth, who called her “the next Meg Ryan.” In a conversation with E! News, Bader expressed her delight, admitting, “It’s the biggest compliment I’ve ever received.”

During an exclusive interview with Tom Blyth by her side, Bader elaborated on the impact of this praise. “She’s so amazing,” Bader remarked, referring to Ryan. “To even get anywhere close to her is inspiring. I love actors, and part of why I do this is to see characters and actors I admire and try to learn from them. It was just so nice to hear that.”

In preparing for her role as Poppy Wright, Bader drew inspiration from Ryan’s filmography, immersing herself in classics such as “You’ve Got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” By studying these timeless romantic comedies, Bader aimed to capture the essence of what makes Ryan’s performances so memorable, hoping to channel a similar charm and appeal in her own portrayal.

Indeed, Bader admitted that part of the way she prepared to fill the flip flops of Poppy Wright from the beloved novel was to study iconic romantic comedies, particularly films Ryan-led like You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and more. 

“When I first got the job, our director mentioned how big of a fan he is of the sort of ‘90s, 2000s Nora Ephron world of rom-coms,” she explained. “So I watched any and all of them, which was a great way to prep.”