All About 'The Summer I Turned My Sexiest' Cast and Serena's Story of Self-Discovery

What starts as a celebration quickly turns into something Serena Ashford never saw coming in "The Summer I Turned My Sexiest." As a plus-size woman navigating a very public betrayal, her story follows how her life shifts and what she decides to do next.

Drama Overview

Release Date: March 23, 2026

Platform: Gammatime

Genre: Romance, drama

Themes: Betrayal, self-discovery, second chances, personal power

The poster for "The Summer I Turned My Sexiest" | Source: instagram/gamma.time

What the Story Is About

Serena Ashford’s life changes in a single moment—and it happens in front of a crowd.

Serena is a plus-size woman who has spent years supporting her husband and putting parts of her own life on hold. During an event celebrating her husband David’s success as CEO of Whitley Industries, she discovers he’s been having an affair.

The situation quickly escalates, ending not just with the breakdown of their marriage but also with a wardrobe mishap that spreads across the internet.

After that, Serena decides to go on their planned anniversary trip alone. It’s meant to be an escape, but it ends up being something more. At the resort, she meets Maksym, a bartender who treats her with a kind of attention she hasn’t experienced in a long time.

But things don’t stay simple. David shows up at the same resort—with the woman he left her for—and the situation becomes even more complicated.

As everything unfolds, Serena starts to realize there’s more going on behind the scenes, especially when it comes to her role in the company her father built. What begins as reacting to what happened slowly turns into something else—figuring out what she actually wants moving forward.

Full “The Summer I Turned My Sexiest” Cast and Character Guide

Juanita Andersen as Serena Ashford

Serena is at the center of the story. For years, she’s supported her husband and stepped back from her own role in the company. When everything falls apart, she’s left trying to figure out where she stands both in her personal life and professionally.

Over time, her focus shifts from dealing with the fallout to taking back control in her own way.

Juanita Andersen as Serena Ashford in "The SimmerI Turned My Sexiest" | Source: instagram/gamma.time

Juanita Andersen is a Los Angeles-based Salvadoran-American actor with a background in theater and commercial work. She has appeared in projects like "Imogen" and "Snugglr," and takes on the lead role in this series.

Her stage work includes performances with The Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, and Teatro Vista, among others. She studied Theatre and Latinx Studies at Northwestern University.

Volodymyr Pielikh as Maksym Koval

As the leading man in the “The Summer I Turned My Sexiest” cast, Maksym is introduced as a bartender at the resort, but he quickly becomes an important part of Serena’s story. He gives her attention without judgment, something that feels especially new for Serena after years of being overlooked.

Their connection builds during the trip, though Serena isn’t sure what it means outside of that moment.

Volodymyr Pielikh as Maksym Koval in "The Summer I Turned My Prettiest" | Source: instagram/gamma.time

Volodymyr Pielikh is a Ukrainian actor and model based in Los Angeles. His credits include "Pay Your Rent with Love," "Thread of Fate," and "The Invisible Raptor."

Talking about working in vertical dramas, he said, “It feels like I’m in the right place at the right time… It took me much further than I thought it would. A great feeling” (Digital Journal interview)

He has also shared that his international background and experience living in different countries shape how he approaches his work.

Bruce Clifford as David Ashford

David is Serena’s husband at the start of the story, and his actions are what set everything in motion. Beyond the affair, he’s also working behind the scenes to gain control of the company Serena’s family built.

He represents both the personal betrayal Serena faces and the larger shift in power happening around her.

Bruce Clifford has appeared in a range of television, film, and independent projects, including "A Grunt’s Life," "Wild West Chronicles," and "Dirty Laundry."

His extensive background includes theater and commercial work, along with training across multiple acting programs.

Alexis Abrams as Brittany

Brittany is David’s secretary and the person he leaves Serena for. As the story unfolds, her role becomes more involved, especially when it comes to the company.

Her presence adds tension, particularly as Serena starts to push back against what’s happening around her.

Alexis Abrams has appeared in projects such as "Bad Thoughts," "Love and Taxes," and "The Duke’s Masked Bride."

She trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has experience in both theater and film.

More of "The Summer I Turned My Sexiest" Cast

Alongside the central characters, the story also includes a few supporting roles that add to Serena’s journey:

Angelina Barbieri as Vanessa – Serena’s best friend, who encourages her to go on the trip and start focusing on herself after the breakup.

Bree Long as Monique – A woman Serena meets at the resort, who introduces her to the idea of “The Big O” as a way to change her appearance.

Richard Neil as the doctor – The medical professional Serena consults about “The Big O,” the treatment she considers as part of trying to change how she sees herself.

Where to Watch "The Summer I Turned My Sexiest"

"The Summer I Turned My Sexiest" is available on the Gammatime app, where the series was released on March 23, 2026.