In Jenny Han’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series, Conrad Fisher and Belly Conklin have a close relationship marked by years of shared history. This comparison looks at their ages in the books and the Netflix series to answer who is older and how old they are at key points. Both characters grow over time, and their age gap remains consistent in the source material, while the show adapts the timeline with some changes.
Conrad and Belly Ages in the Books
Across the original “To All the Boys” book series and the related “Summer Collection,” Conrad and Belly are portrayed with specific ages at different points. These figures are established in the narrative and used to track their growth across the multi-year story.
Book Timeline and Ages
| Book | Approximate Year | Conrad’s Age | Belly’s Age | Age Difference (Conrad − Belly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before | Start of series | 17 | 16 | 1 year |
| P.S. I Still Love You | Several months later | 17–18 | 17–18 | ~1 year |
| Always and Forever, Lara Jean | Later in high school | 18–19 | 18–19 | ~1 year |
In the books, Conrad is consistently about one year older than Belly. This gap reflects their birth dates and remains stable as they move through high school, deal with college decisions, and face other milestones.
Conrad and Belly Ages in the Netflix Series
The Netflix adaptation adjusts some timelines and casting choices, which affects the on-screen ages of Conrad and Belly. Although the show follows the spirit of the books, certain shifts occur in how ages are presented during different seasons.
Series Seasons and Ages
| Season | Conrad (Actor) | Belly (Actress) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Noah Centineo (≈27–28 during filming) | Lana Condor (≈19–20 during filming) | Aged to be closer to college; gap preserved |
| Season 2 | Noah Centineo | Lana Condor | Ages align with near-college timing |
| Season 3 | Noah Centineo | Lana Condor | Continues with adjusted timeline |
In the series, Conrad is portrayed as older than Belly, consistent with the books, but their relative ages are shaped more by casting and storytelling choices than strict adherence to the characters’ exact ages from the novels.
Key Details About Their Age Gap
- The books establish that Conrad is roughly one year older than Belly based on their birth dates within the story.
- The gap remains stable through the series of books, even as they transition from high school to post-high school plans.
- In the Netflix show, both characters are cast slightly older than their book counterparts, shifting the timeline but keeping Conrad older than Belly.
- The age difference is not a central plot point, but it shapes experiences like school years, maturity levels, and life events.
Comparing Key Milestones
| Milestone | Conrad | Belly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First book | 17 | 16 | Start of the series |
| College decisions | ≈18–19 | ≈17–18 | Both pursue future plans; Conrad is older |
| Show casting ages | ≈27–28 | ≈19–20 | Older casting in Netflix adaptation |
Why the Age Difference Matters
Even though their age gap is relatively small, it affects how Conrad and Belly relate to each other and to other characters. Being a bit older, Conrad often takes on a slightly more protective or experienced role, while Belly’s perspective as the slightly younger friend or love interest shapes her choices. This dynamic plays into themes of growing up, responsibility, and evolving relationships across the series.
Conclusion
Conrad is older than Belly by about one year in the books, and this basic fact carries into the Netflix series even as the show adjusts other timeline details. Understanding their ages and age gap adds clarity to their relationship, decisions, and character arcs. For readers and viewers, this distinction helps make sense of their shared experiences and the ways their lives develop over the course of the story.
Additional Context
The “To All the Boys” series spans multiple timelines and formats, including the main trilogy, spinoffs, and the Netflix adaptations. The core age relationship between Conrad and Belly remains consistent across these versions, even when specific years or events shift to better suit the screen. For anyone comparing the characters, focusing on their relative ages and how those years shape their interactions offers a clearer picture of how their story unfolds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Conrad older than Belly in the books? Yes, Conrad is about one year older than Belly throughout the book series.
- Does the Netflix series change their age gap? No, Conrad remains older than Belly, though both characters are portrayed as slightly older than in the books.
- How old are Conrad and Belly at the start of the first book? Conrad is 17 and Belly is 16 at the beginning of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.”
- Do their ages change between books and the show? Their relative age difference stays the same, but casting and timeline adjustments make them appear older in the Netflix series.
- Why does their age gap matter to the story? The small age difference influences their maturity levels, roles in each other’s lives, and certain plot points related to school, relationships, and future decisions.
