The Stratford sisters are back together! Julia Stiles and Larisa Oleynik, who starred as Kat and Bianca Stratford in the beloved 1999 teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You, recently reunited at a New York City screening of Wish You Were Here, a film directed by Stiles. The event brought a nostalgic wave for fans of the iconic rom-com that put a modern twist on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
The cult favorite film, which also featured Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, and Andrew Keegan, followed the Stratford sisters’ contrasting high school lives. Bianca, the bubbly and popular younger sibling, wasn’t allowed to date until her sharp-tongued, fiercely independent sister Kat did. This sparked a scheme involving Cameron (Gordon-Levitt) enlisting Patrick Verona (Ledger) to woo Kat. Chaos and comedy ensued, culminating in one of the most memorable romance arcs of the late ’90s.
The film’s charm extended beyond its Shakespearean roots to its cast’s standout performances. Julia Stiles earned the MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance, while Heath Ledger’s charismatic rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” earned him the award for Best Musical Performance. That serenade scene—complete with marching band—became an enduring hallmark of teen cinema, even finding its way into the parody Not Another Teen Movie.
Speaking to PEOPLE before the event, Stiles shared her excitement about reconnecting with Oleynik. “I know that Larisa Oleynik is gonna be here tonight, which will be wonderful to see her,” she said. “We kind of, you know, the way that it’s hard to keep in touch with people but over text messages.” The reunion marked a rare public moment for the two actresses, who—despite their enduring connection to the film—have pursued distinctly different paths since their 10 Things days.
Stiles reflected on her time as Kat Stratford, a role she remains most recognized for. “I was a 17-year-old actress auditioning and getting a lot of annoying comments like, ‘You’re too serious’ or ‘you need to be sexier’ or ‘smile more,'” she explained. “And then I read 10 Things I Hate About You and Kat Stratford was like this feisty outspoken girl who did not care what people thought about her.” That fierce independence resonated with audiences and has kept the character’s legacy alive for more than two decades.
Oleynik, who played the effervescent Bianca, has since appeared in shows such as Mad Men, Pretty Little Liars, and Hawaii Five-O. While both actresses have explored varied roles in their careers, their on-screen sisterly bond remains a standout moment for fans.
The screening of Wish You Were Here provided the perfect backdrop for this nostalgic reunion, reminding fans of the timeless appeal of 10 Things I Hate About You. Over two decades later, the film’s blend of humor, heart, and a killer ’90s soundtrack continues to resonate with audiences new and old.
For fans who’ve kept the Stratford sisters close to their hearts, this reunion is a delightful reminder of a movie that has remained a touchstone of teen cinema.
