With all those promises that The Summer I Turned Pretty would be different from the books, it should come as no surprise that even the cast didn't know how the show would end while filming the final season. During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Sean Kaufman revealed how much he knew about where his character Steven's story was going in season 3. "It was definitely open-ended. I had no idea. And [creator] Jenny [Han] likes keeping us all on our toes, which is always fun," Kaufman, 25, teased. "I was just kind of along for the journey. It's definitely one where - as an actor - I love to know where I end up so I can see the full arc and know where [my character is] headed." Kaufman found it an "interesting challenge" to switch up his approach. Biggest Differences Between 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' TV Series and Books "[It felt like] I don't know where I am. I think I kind of related that to Steven in the moment where he doesn't know where he's at," he noted. "Especially after the car crash, he actually doesn't know what the future holds or what the next step is. So I tried to play with that uncertainty in adult life a little more." Based on Han's book series, The Summer I Turned Pretty explores a love triangle between Belly (Lola Tung) and the Fisher brothers: Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Following the show's Prime Video premiere in 2021, viewers have grown attached to other characters - including Belly's scene-stealing brother (Kaufman). Amazon MGM Studios Fans who read Han's books have been waiting for We'll Always Have Summer to be adapted in season 3. The show's creative team and the cast have hinted, however, that the show isn't just sticking to its source material. "I will say Jenny has a lot of surprises. Some of the other actors maybe might not have [their arcs] as mapped out as you think," Kaufman, whose role on the show was expanded compared to in the books, teased to Us. "You saw in seasons 1 and 2, so many scenes were obviously directly from the books, which is amazing. Fans love that and the writers love it, obviously." He continued: "But one thing that Jenny and the writers talked about with Rain [Spencer] and I was that whatever they want and whatever they choose, they can write. So I do think that that's a beautiful part of Steven's story." Season 3 reintroduced Us to Steven after a significant time jump. After graduating (early!) from Princeton, Steven is still figuring out what he wants to do in his professional life while working for Conrad and Jeremiah's dad. Which 'Summer I Turned Pretty' Stars Are and Aren't Returning for Season 3 "There was a lot of thinking about finally being an adult. In the first season, I was playing 16 years old or 17 years old, and in real life, I was 21. So I was having to take it down a notch. I think that this season being closer to my actual age, I was really allowing myself to think about all that time, because four years is a big time jump," Kaufman explained to Us. "I was thinking to myself, 'Well, what happened in those four years for me? Some bad stuff and some sad stuff.' I just allowed myself to go back to those dark places that often you don't associate with an innocent child." With the character evolution also came different dynamics. Last time the audience saw Steven, he was closer to Conrad and hopeful about his future with love interest Taylor. Fast-forward to season 3, and Steven was closer to Jeremiah while in an off-and-on romance with Taylor. Erika Doss (C) AMAZON "I know at the end of season 2, you see Steven and Conrad so close and there's such a bond there. But I think people kind of forget that season 2 was one week - it all took place in one week and then Steven goes to college," the actor noted. "And Conrad goes off to California and all this stuff happens. I don't think that either one of them has bad intentions toward the other." Steven and Conrad's awkward reunion - before the season 3 restaurant scene heard around the world - is meant to represent real friendships. "It is both their faults because communication is a two-way street. So either one of them, obviously, could have reached out at any point. But I loved that. I loved that scene at the restaurant," Kaufman recalled. "We haven't seen each other in four years. Steven doesn't know what to talk about or how to even with him anymore. I am sure if they hung out a little more, it'd be a little easier. At that point, Steven doesn't even know that Conrad isn't going right back to California, so he is like, 'I'm never going to see this dude again for another couple of years. Why would I try even?'" The issues don't stop there for Steven. After putting himself out there with Taylor earlier in the season, Steven was shut down and ended up in a coma following a car crash. Steven woke up days later with a new outlook on life, which started with him giving up on his undefined romance with Taylor - for now. "He doesn't know if he is going to live. He th