Willoughby Tucker Explained: The Story You Need to Know
Who is Willoughby Tucker from The Summer I Turned Pretty? We explain the full story of Belly's debutante escort and why this 'nice guy' is so important.
Chloe Davies
Pop culture analyst specializing in book-to-screen adaptations and character studies.
In the sun-drenched, drama-filled world of Cousins Beach, every character, no matter how brief their appearance, serves a purpose. While all eyes are on the central love triangle, there’s a quieter figure who steps into Belly Conklin’s life at a pivotal moment: Willoughby Tucker. You might remember him as the polite, well-dressed guy from the debutante ball. But who is he, really? And why does his story matter so much to Belly’s journey?
Who is Willoughby Tucker? The Deb Ball Gentleman
Willoughby Tucker, introduced during the first season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, is the quintessential "good on paper" guy. He’s a legacy kid at the Cousins Beach Country Club, hailing from a wealthy and respected family. His mother is friends with Susannah Fisher, which is how he’s initially brought into the fold. Polite, charming in a reserved way, and impeccably mannered, Willoughby is the kind of boy a mother dreams of for her daughter’s debutante escort.
He's a stark contrast to the brooding, complicated Conrad and the fun-loving, unpredictable Jeremiah. Willoughby is stable. He’s predictable. He knows which fork to use, how to waltz, and how to make small talk with adults. In the whirlwind of Belly’s emotionally chaotic summer, Willoughby represents a moment of calm, traditional structure. He’s not part of the messy, intertwined history that Belly shares with the Fisher brothers; he’s a clean slate.
The Escort Dilemma: How Willoughby Enters the Picture
Willoughby’s main role in the narrative is to be Belly’s escort for the debutante ball. This storyline is a major focus of season one, pushed forward by a hopeful Susannah who wants Belly to have this classic coming-of-age experience. Initially, it’s assumed one of the Fisher boys will escort her, but the emotional turmoil between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah makes that a complicated prospect.
Enter Willoughby. When Belly needs a reliable partner for the waltz practices and the big night itself, Susannah suggests him. He graciously agrees, stepping into the role with ease. Throughout their practices, he is patient and kind, a steadying presence as Belly navigates the unfamiliar steps of the waltz and the equally unfamiliar pressures of high society. He does everything he's supposed to do, and he does it well. But as viewers, we can't help but feel that something is missing—the spark, the history, the fire that defines Belly’s relationships with Conrad and Jeremiah.
A Tale of Two Escorts: Willoughby vs. Jeremiah
The tension culminates when Jeremiah, seeing Belly with the "perfect" escort, realizes his own feelings and steps in at the last minute. This moment highlights the core differences between what Willoughby offers and what Belly truly desires. Let's break it down.
| Attribute | Willoughby Tucker | Jeremiah Fisher |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship to Belly | New acquaintance; polite and formal. | Childhood best friend; deep, emotional, and playful. |
| The "Escort" Vibe | Traditional, proper, and follows the rules. The "perfect" choice. | Unpredictable, passionate, and breaks the rules. The "heart" choice. |
| Motivation | A favor for his mother and Susannah; a gentlemanly duty. | Jealousy, genuine feelings for Belly, and a desire to be "the one." |
| Represents | Stability, expectation, and the "safe" choice. | Spontaneity, deep connection, and the exciting, risky choice. |
| Outcome | Gracefully steps aside when Jeremiah takes over. | Dances with Belly, leading to their first kiss and a new chapter. |
The Unsung Importance of a Minor Character
It's easy to dismiss Willoughby as a plot device—and in some ways, he is. But his character is more crucial than it seems. His presence serves several important narrative functions that enrich the central story.
A Perfect Foil to the Fisher Boys
A "foil" is a character who contrasts with another character to highlight their qualities. Willoughby is the ultimate foil to Conrad and Jeremiah. His straightforward niceness and conventional stability make the Fisher brothers’ complexities even more apparent.
- Next to Willoughby’s easy-going politeness, Conrad’s moodiness and emotional unavailability become more pronounced.
- Next to Willoughby’s traditional charm, Jeremiah’s playful, sometimes chaotic energy feels more exciting and authentic to Belly's world.
Without Willoughby as a baseline for a "normal" teenage boy, the magnetic pull and inherent drama of the Fishers wouldn't hit as hard. He shows us the kind of guy Belly could be with, which makes her undeniable connection to the brothers feel that much more significant and fated.
Key Takeaway
Willoughby Tucker isn't just a random deb ball date. He's a narrative tool used to highlight the unique, powerful, and complicated bond Belly shares with the Fisher brothers by providing a "normal" alternative.
Symbol of the "Safe" Path Not Taken
Every coming-of-age story involves choices. Willoughby represents a very clear path for Belly: a safe, parent-approved relationship free from the baggage and heartbreak that define her summers at Cousins. A life with a "Willoughby" would likely be comfortable, stable, and predictable. He is, in essence, the physical embodiment of choosing your head over your heart.
Belly’s story, however, is not about taking the easy road. It's about navigating messy, all-consuming love. By having Willoughby present and then ultimately choosing Jeremiah (in that moment), the story reinforces its central theme: Belly is drawn to the epic, transformative love of the Fisher boys, not the simple comfort of a suitable match.
Heightening the Central Tension
Imagine the debutante ball arc without Willoughby. It would have lacked a crucial catalyst. His presence as Belly’s escort is the very thing that forces Jeremiah to confront his feelings. Seeing Belly look beautiful and happy with someone else—someone so "perfect"—is the push he needs to act on his jealousy and affection.
Willoughby’s brief, unassuming role creates a ripple effect that directly leads to:
- Jeremiah's confession of his feelings.
- Belly and Jeremiah's first kiss.
- A major shift in the love triangle's dynamics, setting the stage for the rest of the season and beyond.
He is the quiet catalyst for a very loud and important moment in the series.
Willoughby in the Book vs. the Show
For fans of Jenny Han's original trilogy, Willoughby's role in the Amazon Prime series is fairly faithful, with a few minor expansions. In the book, It's Not Summer Without You, his presence is even more fleeting. He's mentioned as the escort, but we get very little direct interaction or dialogue. He is purely a name to fill a role.
The show, by nature of being a visual medium, gives him a face and a personality. We see him interact with Belly during dance practice. We witness his polite bewilderment when Jeremiah swoops in. This small expansion makes his role as a foil more effective, as viewers get a better sense of the "nice guy" Belly is momentarily paired with before returning to the Fisher storm.
Final Thoughts: The Necessary Nice Guy
Willoughby Tucker may not have a place on Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah posters, but his role in The Summer I Turned Pretty is undeniable. He's the "nice guy" who serves as a benchmark, the symbol of a simpler path, and the catalyst that forces the story's central relationships to evolve.
So, the next time you rewatch season one, pay a little extra attention to Willoughby. He’s more than just a placeholder in a tuxedo. He’s a crucial piece of the puzzle, the quiet gentleman whose presence makes the epic love story of Cousins Beach shine even brighter.