The wait is over, and romance fans everywhere are swooning—The Love Hypothesis is officially headed to the big screen, and we finally know who’s playing the beloved Dr. Adam Carlsen. British actor Tom Bateman has been cast as the male lead, and the news was confirmed in the most modern way possible: a cheeky TikTok from none other than Lili Reinhart herself.

The short clip featured Lili, who plays Olive Smith, the story’s awkward but brilliant Ph.D. candidate, and it was captioned with five simple words that broke the internet: “hello Dr. Adam Carlsen #thelovehypothesis.” Just like that, fans of Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling novel had their Adam.

Tom Bateman might not have been on everyone’s fantasy cast list at first, but it didn’t take long for readers to rally behind the decision. Known for his performances in Da Vinci’s Demons, Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and Based on a True Story, Bateman has the brooding intensity, quiet charm, and subtle softness that made Dr. Carlsen such a fan favorite on the page.

And yes, the internet is already losing it over the thought of him in that famous black Henley.

Lili Reinhart—who’s not only starring as Olive but also producing the film—has long expressed her passion for the project. Her involvement is a major reason fans are hopeful that the adaptation will stay true to the heart (and humor) of the original book.

“I love Olive because she’s messy, smart, and totally relatable,” Lili shared in a previous interview. “She doesn’t always get it right—but she leads with heart. And I think a lot of people see themselves in her.”

The chemistry between Olive and Adam is the soul of Hazelwood’s novel, and casting the right actor to play the stoic, secretly sweet professor was always going to be a challenge. But early reactions to Bateman’s casting are overwhelmingly positive.

On X (formerly Twitter), one fan posted, “Okay but Tom Bateman as Adam Carlsen?? That’s elite casting. I’m already obsessed.” Others quickly followed with fan edits, TikTok reactions, and fancasts that finally feel complete.

The Love Hypothesis became a breakout hit thanks to its perfect mix of slow-burn romance, science nerds, fake dating, and laugh-out-loud awkward moments. It resonated not only with romance readers but also with anyone who’s ever felt like the underdog in both love and life.

And now, that world is coming to life on screen.

While no official release date has been announced yet, production is moving forward now that both leads are confirmed. If all goes smoothly, fans can expect to see Olive and Adam’s love story come to life sometime in 2026.

Until then, viewers will have to be satisfied with casting reveals, behind-the-scenes teasers, and endless TikToks from Lili herself—who clearly knows how to keep the hype going.

As one fan perfectly said online, “This isn’t just a love hypothesis anymore… this is a full-blown cinematic equation. And I am here for it.”