Netflix's latest romantic comedy, Voicemails for Isabelle, has finally arrived on the streaming platform after a lengthy and eventful development process. The film, which stars Zoey Deutch as a grieving pastry chef who falls for a stranger, originally had a different actress attached to the lead role.
A Long Road to Release
The film features Deutch as Jill, an aspiring pastry chef grappling with the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Isabelle, played by Ciara Bravo. To cope with her grief, Jill begins leaving therapeutic voicemails to her sister's old phone number, unaware that the line has been reassigned to estate agent Wes, portrayed by Nick Robinson. Wes finds himself captivated by the enchanting voice on the other end, and when the two eventually cross paths in San Francisco, he wrestles with a secret that threatens their budding romance.
While both Deutch and Robinson are well-established in the romantic comedy genre—Deutch is known for Set It Up alongside Glen Powell, and Robinson gained prominence through the LGBTQ+ high school favorite Love, Simon—the project initially had a very different vision.
Original Casting and Creative Team
The film was first announced in 2019 and was set to be directed by Sharon Maguire, best known for helming Bridget Jones's Diary and its 2016 sequel, Bridget Jones's Baby. Hollywood star Hailee Steinfeld was originally attached to the leading role of Jill. At the time, Steinfeld had recently appeared in the 2018 Transformers spin-off Bumblebee and voiced Gwen Stacy / Spider-Gwen in the critically acclaimed animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. She has also enjoyed a flourishing music career, contributing her singing talents to the second and third installments of the Pitch Perfect series.
Production Delays and Changes
Voicemails for Isabelle was among numerous film projects derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Hollywood writers' strikes. The reasons behind Steinfeld's departure from the project have never been made public, though her schedule has undoubtedly become considerably busier since the film was first announced. Subsequently, director Maguire also stepped away from the production, with screenwriter Leah McKendrick—who also appears in the film as Breeda—taking over directorial responsibilities.
The film was originally produced by Sony Pictures and widely expected to receive a theatrical release before Netflix assumed distribution rights.
Steinfeld's Career Since
In the years that followed, Steinfeld's career has gone from strength to strength. She further expanded her superhero credentials when she took on the role of Kate Bishop in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, starring alongside Jeremy Renner. She also featured in last year's horror blockbuster Sinners, directed by Black Panther filmmaker Ryan Coogler, which earned a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. Additionally, Steinfeld welcomed her first child in April 2026.
Voicemails for Isabelle is available to stream on Netflix now.
