Prime Video's 'Every Year After' Explores First Loves and Second Chances
Prime Video is set to release its new romantic drama, "Every Year After," with all eight episodes premiering on June 10.
The series is an adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel "Every Summer After," brought to the screen by adapter Amy B.
Harris.
This development is significant as it brings a popular literary work to a wide streaming audience, potentially introducing its themes of first love and enduring connections to new viewers.
The story of "Every Year After" unfolds across two distinct timelines, chronicling six summers in the teen years of its protagonists, Persephone "Percy" Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett), before jumping forward a decade.
The narrative begins with Percy in Seattle, where a call from Sam's brother, Charlie Florek (Michael Bradway), about his mother's death, triggers a panic attack and prompts her return to Barry’s Bay, a fictional lakeside town in rural Ontario.
Barry's Bay is the setting for Percy's formative years, where she first met and fell in love with Sam between the ages of 13 and 18.
The series uses flashbacks to depict these summers, from 2011 to 2016, showcasing moments like bonfires with her friend Delilah (Abigail Cowen), working at Sue's (Elisha Cuthbert) restaurant, and stolen kisses with Sam.
However, the town also holds painful memories for Percy, and her return after ten years forces her to confront past choices and regrets.
The series aims to offer more than a typical teen romance by exploring the depth and emotion of its characters over nearly two decades.
Juliette Hawk and Blue Clarke portray younger versions of Percy and Sam, allowing the audience to witness their growth and the impact of life events, finances, dreams, and expectations on their lives.
This approach provides a holistic view of the characters, moving beyond a focus on single decisions.
Beyond the central love story, "Every Year After" also highlights the importance of supporting characters and friendships.
Percy's best friend Chantal (Aurora Perrineau) struggles with the demands of her relationship and career, while Sam's friend Jordie (Joseph Chiu) offers insights into relationships.
Even characters like Delilah, initially appearing as a "mean girl," are given unexpected depth, underscoring the show's theme of the miracle of real friendship.
With its sun-drenched setting, the chemistry between Soverall and Cornett, and a soundtrack featuring artists like Lana Del Rey and Dolly Parton, "Every Year After" may draw comparisons to other popular YA romances.
However, the series strives to carve its own path by delving into the power of life-altering firsts and the possibility of second chances, as Percy grapples with memories that both define and haunt her.
Key points
- Prime Video's new romantic drama, "Every Year After," is set to premiere all eight episodes on June 10.
- The series is an adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel "Every Summer After" and was adapted by Amy B. Harris.
- The story spans nearly two decades, following the characters Persephone "Percy" Fraser and Sam Florek through six summers and a decade later.