Surviving Summeris a popular teen surfing drama that debuted on Netflix in June 2022. The Australian coming-of-age series follows Summer Torres, a mischievous high school teenager who is expelled from her school in New York and is sent to stay with her mother’s friend in Shorehaven, Australia. As Summer adjusts to her new surroundings, she befriends a group of local surfers and learns a new subculture.
WithSurviving SummerSeason 2 arriving on Netflix on July 31, 2025, it’s time for a refresher on the main cast of characters and the young actors who portray them. Chances are, fans of the show will recognize the youthful cast from several other popular movies and TV shows.
Sky Katz as Summer Torres
Sky Katzplays the lead character Summer Torres. Summer is a troubled teen with a rebellious streak who does not like being told what to do and often marches to the beat of her own drum. When she is kicked out of high school in her native Brooklyn, Summer is sent to live with her mother’s old friend in the small coastal town of Shorehaven, Australia. Summer immediately ruffles the feathers of the local Australian surfers before slowly joining their clique and expanding her horizons.
One of the reasons Torres appears so comfortable and confident on-screen comes from Katz’s previous experience on the TV seriesRaven’s Home,a Disney Chanel sitcomstarring Raven-Symone. Torres played Raven’s neighbor Tess O’Malley in 81 episodes from 2017 to 2023, providing the talented young actor an invaluable training ground to master her craft and comedic timing.
Kai Lewins as Ari Gibson
Kai Lewinsplays Ari Gibson. Ari is a talented Australian surfer who befriends Summer when she arrives in town. Driven to be the best surfer in the world, Ari is recovering from a major injury at the start of the series and slowly works his way back into competition. As Summer helps Kai recover, the two form a tender teenage romance that forces Summer to choose between staying in Australia or returning home to New York.
Lewins began his career in 2011 by appearing in the Australian TV western seriesWild Boys. Since then, he has appeared in everything from the showsRoarandThe Twelveto such movies asCelesteandMoon Rock for Monday. However,Surviving Summermarks Lewins' most significant starring role, appearing in all 18 episodes of the popular teen drama to date.
Lilliana Bowrey as Poppy Tetanui
Lilliana Bowreydepicts Poppy Tetanui. Poppy is a supremely talented Australian surfer who is driven to become a world champion. Poppy is peppy, outgoing, and has a quirky sense of humor that adds a lot of charm to the TV show. When it is revealed that Poppy has a crush on Ari, her relationship with Summer becomes complicated. Meanwhile, Poppy has brothers named Manu and Prawni who she leans on following the tragic death of their mother.
Believe it or not,Surviving Summerrepresents the acting debut of Lilliana Bowrey. Considering what a substantial role she plays inthe popular coming-of-age TV series, it’s easy to assume that she has a wealth of acting experience. However, Bowery’s impressive surfing skills seen on the show stem from her professional status as a five-time Queensland Surfing Junior Champion. As such, Bowrey adds undeniable authenticity toSurviving Summer.
Savannah La Rain as Bodhi Mercer
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La Rain is a professional actor, model, and dancer who has mounted an impressive resume since 2014. WhileSurviving Summermarks her biggest recurring role to date, La Rain can also be seen in such TV series asMako MermaidsandBig Shotto movies likeOcean BoyandDora and the Lost City of Gold. With no signs of slowing down, La Rain will soon appear in theUntitled Woody Woodpeckermovie.
Joao Gabriel Marinho as Marlon Sousa
Joao Gabriel Marinhoplays Marlon Sousa. Marlon is a skilled Brazilian surfer whose sarcastic sense of humor often provides comic relief on the show. A natural-born showman, Marlon is a bit of a showboat on a surfboard. He also has a fierce competitive spirit that forces him to blame others when things don’t turn out as planned.
Much like Summer, Marlon is an outsider in Shorehaven, which allows them to lean on each other in times of need. Given his solid performance on the show, it may surprise fans to know thatSurviving Summeris the only acting credit of Marinho’s young career thus far. While he’s not a professional surfer like Lilliana Bowrey, Marinho grew up surfing as a child, and his comfort in the water is partially why he was cast as Marlon inthe acclaimed 2022 Netflix show.
Chris Alosio as Manu Tetanui
Chris Alosioplays Manu Tetanui. Manu is Poppy’s older brother who is trying to keep their lives from unraveling following the death of their mother. Manu is also an instructor at the Tetanui Surf School, where Poppy also teaches beginner courses. When Manu isn’t helping others improve their surfing skills, he’s often encouraging Poppy to refocus her competitive spirit and overcome her post-traumatic stress.
Alosio is a fast-rising Australian actor who recently starred inTalk To Me, the A24 horror movie that has been hailed as the scariest event of 2023. Alosio can also be seen in Taika Waititi’s upcoming underdog soccer dramaNext Goal Wins. As such, it’s safe to say Alosio’s career is about to take off. Fans can also see Alosio in such TV series asThe Messenger,North Shore, andFighting Season.
Cantona Stewart as Prawnie Tetanui
Cantona Stewartportrays Prawnie Tetanui. Prawnie is the brother of Poppy and Manu who also has an affinity for surfing. He is kind and caring and goes out of his way to offer Summer a ride to the airport when she voices her desire to return to New York. However, Prawnie’s chance to get close to Summer is interrupted when she helps Ari deal with his panic attack and misses her ride to the airport.
Stewart is an Australian actor who most famously played the stand-in for the 16-year-old version of Arthur Curry inthe popular DCEU movie,Aquaman. A talented surfer in real life, Stewart’s other notable credits include the TV seriesHarrow. Following his most visible role as Prawnie inSurviving Summer, Stewart is scheduled to appear in the upcoming romance filmCarnal Vesselsfrom writer and director Angus Kirby.
Asmara Feik as Honey Gibson
Asmara Feikdepicts Honey Gibson. Honey is Ari’s younger sister and the daughter of Thommo and Abbie Gibson. When Summer encourages Thommo and Abbie to allow Ari to surf again following his tragic accident, Honey supports Summer’s efforts and the two soon become fast friends. Part of their friendship involves Honey teaching Summer how to use a skateboard.
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Feik has been extremely busy since 2022. After appearing in the holiday rom-comChristmas on the Farmin 2021, Feik appeared in four different TV series in the past year. In addition toSurviving Summer, Feik has starred inGinger and the Vegesaur,Upright, and most recently,La Brea. With eight total credits amassed since 2019, Feik is one of the busiest cast members inSurviving Summer.
Mitchell Hardaker as Griff Temple
Micthell Hardakerplays Griff Temple. Griff is a cocky local Anchor Cove Team surfer in Shorehaven who becomes one of Poppy, Bodhi, and Marlon’s main rivals in the series. Griff hangs out with other rival surfers such as Lily Tran and Sheridan Morehouse, two mean-spirited teens who antagonize Summer and her friends as soon as she arrives in town.
Similar to Bowrey,Surviving Summermarks the first acting credit of Hardaker’s career. Despite his lack of previous experience, he lends authenticity as a talented real-life surfer whose wave-riding skills are featured prominently in the series. To find out if Griff’s role has been expanded or reduced in Season 2, be sure to tune intoSurviving Summerwhen it returns to Netflix on June 06, 2025.
Charli Wookey as Sheridan Morehouse
Charli Wookeyplays Sheridan Morehouse onthe now-streaming Netflix TV show.Sheridan is a typical mean girl who instantly bullies Summer when she arrives in town. For example, Sheridan runs over Summer’s skateboard with her car in the pilot, launching a fierce rivalry between the two that only gets more complicated as the series advances. Sheridan is also a surfer on the Anchor Cove team along with Griff.
Wookey is a relative newcomer who made her screen debut inSurviving Summer. She can also be seen in the 2023 Australian adventure seriesCrazy Fun Park, in which she plays the role of Siobhan. Given her prominent roles in two concurrent TV series, fans can expect to see a lot more of Wookey on the big and small screen in the future. Until then, hopefully, fans get to see more of her inSurviving SummerSeason 2.
