Saagar Kote
Prime Video’s ‘Every Year After’ is a romantic drama series that follows Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall), a 28-year-old obituary writer who returns to her childhood summer destination of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, for a funeral. Growing up, Percy spent her summers in the lakeside town, where she formed a close bond with Sam Florek (Matt Cornett), the boy who lived across the lake. Their friendship eventually blossomed into romance, only for circumstances to drive them apart, leaving them estranged for years. When a tragedy brings Percy back to Barry’s Bay, she is reunited with Sam and his older brother, Charlie Florek (Michael Bradway).
Sam is already in a relationship with another girl, but still has feelings for Percy, who deals with her own insecurities. Confronted by memories of the past, Percy and Sam must come to terms with the choices that separated them and the feelings that continue to linger between them. Created by Leila Gerstein and Amy Harrist, the show is based on the novel ‘Every Summer After’ by Carley Fortune. The themes, visuals, character equations, and the overall charm of the narrative are reflected in these shows, similar to ‘Every Year After,’ that capture the magic of human connection.
12. From Scratch (2022)
‘From Scratch’ is the tale of Amy Wheeler (Zoe Saldaña), a young American woman who puts law school on hold to pursue her passion for art in Florence, Italy. While living there, she meets and falls in love with Lino Ortolano (Eugenio Mastrandrea), a Sicilian man who changes the course of her life. As their relationship grows, Amy embarks on a journey that shapes her identity as a woman of color and a curious individual. Along the way, she becomes part of a multicultural extended family as she navigates love and loss.
Attica Locke co-created the Netflix romantic drama series with Tembi Locke, whose memoir ‘From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home’ inspired the show. The “slice of life” nature of the show, along with its exploration of the intricacies of the female experience and the trials and tribulations of romance, connects it to the world and characters of ‘Every Year After.’
11. Firefly Lane (2021-2023)
Adapted from Kristin Hannah’s eponymous novel, Netflix’s ‘Firefly Lane’ chronicles the decades-long friendship between Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke) and Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl). After meeting as teenagers, the two form a close bond that remains a constant presence in their lives as they grow into adulthood. Over the course of more than 30 years, Kate and Tully experience career highs, personal issues, and major life changes together. Despite their deep connection, the challenges that come with time and changing circumstances begin to test their friendship.
When a tragic event occurs, the two women are forced to confront choices that could change their relationship forever. Shaped by the ideas of Maggie Friedman, the drama series, akin to ‘Every Year After,’ is an intimate study of friendship through the lens of tragedy, reconciliation, and empathy. The shows shed light on the burgeoning nature of emotional distance and test the very basis of relationships.
10. The O.C. (2003-2007)
‘The O.C.’ is the tale of Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teenager who is given a second chance when lawyer Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) and his wife, Kirsten Cohen (Kelly Rowan), welcome him into their home in Newport Beach, California. Thrown into a world far different from the one he grew up in, Ryan gradually adapts to life among Orange County’s wealthy families. He develops a strong friendship with Seth Cohen (Adam Brody), the Cohens’ socially awkward son, while becoming romantically involved with Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton).
At the same time, Seth pursues his longtime crush on Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson). As the group grows closer, they navigate relationships, family conflicts, and community life. Brought to life by the ideas of Josh Schwartz, the Fox drama series is engaging and unpredictable in equal measure. At the heart of the story is a poignant commentary on the journey of growing up and the feelings that shape the perspectives of individuals, which is what ‘Every Year After’ does through its characters.
9. Tell Me Lies (2022-2026)
Based on Carola Lovering’s eponymous novel, Hulu’s ‘Tell Me Lies’ is a Meaghan Oppenheimer creation set in the late 2000s that delves into the complicated relationship between Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White). The drama series begins when Lucy arrives at Baird College as a freshman and becomes involved with Stephen, an older student. What starts as a strong attraction soon develops into a turbulent relationship that unfolds over several years. As Lucy and Stephen grow closer, their choices and actions begin to affect not only each other but also the people around them. Just like Percy and Sam in ‘Every Year After,’ Lucy and Stephen trace the ups and downs of their connection through vulnerable phases in life and the potential consequences it may lead to in the future.
8. Looking for Alaska (2019)
‘Looking for Alaska’ centers on Miles Halter (Charlie Plummer), a teenager who leaves his ordinary life behind to attend Culver Creek Academy in Alabama in search of life’s philosophy. At the boarding school, Miles quickly forms friendships with Chip Martin (Denny Love), Takumi Hikohito (Jay Lee), and Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth), with whom he falls in love. As he settles into his new surroundings, Miles experiences the complexities of friendship and romance.
However, an unexpected tragedy changes everything, leaving Miles and his friends emotionally strained. Crafted by the vision of Josh Schwartz, the Hulu drama series is based on John Green’s eponymous novel. While Percy in ‘Every Year After’ reconnects with a part of her adolescent years by visiting Barry’s Bay and crossing paths with Sam, Miles in ‘Looking for Alaska’ attempts to make sense of his reality by traveling to a place he thinks will transform him.
7. One Tree Hill (2003-2012)
‘One Tree Hill,’ a Mark Schwahn creation, is a drama series set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina. It follows Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), two half-brothers whose lives become intertwined when Lucas joins the Tree Hill Ravens, the high school basketball team captained by Nathan. The move sparks a fierce rivalry between the brothers, fueled by their different upbringings and Lucas’s growing connection with Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), Nathan’s girlfriend.
As the years pass, Lucas and Nathan face challenges both on and off the court, navigating family conflicts, friendships, and relationships. The spiritual and thematic relationship between ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘Every Year After’ stems from their depictions of youth, love, family, human bonds, ambition, and the uncertainty of fate. In addition to the themes, the shows also feature similar visual elements that deepen their connection.
6. Felicity (1998-2002)
‘Felicity’ is the story of Felicity Porter (Keri Russell), a quiet teenager whose plans change after high school graduation. Inspired by a message from her longtime crush, Ben Covington (Scott Speedman), she decides to leave behind the future her parents envisioned for her and enroll at the University of New York. Once in college, Felicity quickly realizes that life is far more complicated than she expected. As she adjusts to her new surroundings, she develops close friendships, experiences the ups and downs of romance, and finds herself caught in a complicated love triangle.
Through these experiences, Felicity begins to discover who she is and what she wants from life as she prepares for the messy realm of adulthood. J. J. Abrams and Matt Reeves steer this heartwarming and engrossing drama series. The show is spiritually connected to ‘Every Year After’ through its focus on self-discovery through the emotional layers of the female experience. Like Percy, Felicity also struggles to make sense of her reality while managing her personal issues.
5. Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
Shaped by Kevin Williamson’s creative vision, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ is a drama series that unfolds in the coastal town of Capeside, Massachusetts. It chronicles the trials of Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), an aspiring filmmaker, and his lifelong best friend Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), whose close friendship begins to change as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Alongside their friend Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), the group experiences the ups and downs of growing up, including family struggles and romance.
Jen Lindley’s (Michelle Williams) arrival further complicates the dynamics among the friends. As Dawson and Joey begin to develop deeper feelings for one another, their bond is tested by the uncertainties of growing up. While ‘Every Year After’ explores the puzzles of youth and unresolved feelings as it looks at Percy and Sam’s past and present, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ also follows a similar journey of growing up and coming to terms with deeply held emotions.
4. My Life with the Walter Boys (2023-)
‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ deals with the life of Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez), a teenager whose reality is turned upside down after a tragic accident leaves her without her family. Forced to leave behind everything she knows, she moves to rural Colorado to live with her guardian, Katherine Walter (Sarah Rafferty), her late mother’s best friend, and Katherine’s husband, George Walter (Marc Blucas). Now living in a crowded home with the Walters’ ten children, Jackie struggles to adapt to her new surroundings while remaining determined to achieve her goal of attending Princeton.
As she settles into her new life, she finds herself caught between siblings Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry) and Cole Walter (Noah LaLonde), leading to feelings and complications she never expected. Created by Melanie Halsall, the Netflix drama series is an adaptation of Ali Novak’s novel of the same name. There is much in common between the experiences of Jackie in the show and those of Percy in ‘Every Year After.’ The two characters go on a complex journey of self-discovery when they travel to a new place and cross paths with individuals who leave a lasting impression on their perspectives on life and purpose.
3. One Day (2024)
‘One Day’ follows Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall). They first cross paths on the night of their graduation from the University of Edinburgh in 1988. Although they share an immediate connection, the two go in different directions the following day and begin building separate lives. The narrative revisits Emma and Dexter on July 15th, the same date each year, tracing the evolution of their relationship over two decades. As they pursue careers and relationships, their lives continue to intersect in unexpected ways. Through moments of happiness, melancholy, and love, Emma and Dexter remain connected by the bond that began on a single day and continues to shape their futures.
With Nicole Taylor at the creative helm, the Netflix British romantic drama series is based on the eponymous novel by David Nicholls and the film adaptation of the same name. The show, akin to ‘Every Year After,’ sheds light on the difficulties of coming to terms with romantic feelings, letting go of the past, accepting flaws, the weight of secrets, and the everlasting nature of love despite overwhelming odds.
2. Normal People (2020)
BBC’s ‘Normal People’ is a Catherine Magee creation and an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s eponymous novel. The romantic drama series centers on Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal), two teenagers from the same small town in County Sligo, Ireland, whose lives become closely connected despite their very different social standing. While Connell is well-liked at school, Marianne is largely isolated from her classmates. During their final year of secondary school, the two begin a secret relationship that gradually changes both of their lives.
As they move on to Trinity College in Dublin, new experiences, struggles, and changing circumstances continue to affect their bond. Over the years, Marianne and Connell repeatedly find their lives intertwining as they navigate friendship and love in different stages. Love, separation, youth, growing up, different ambitions, varying life philosophies, diverse social standings, complex character dynamics, the unpredictability of love, and the element of fate are among the many common themes both ‘Normal People’ and ‘Every Year After’ explore.
1. The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022-2025)
Created by Jenny Han and based on her eponymous novel series, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ is a Prime Video romantic drama series that follows Isabel Conklin, AKA Belly (Lola Tung). At the center of the story is Belly’s complicated relationship with brothers Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). As her feelings for both of them deepen, she finds herself caught in a love triangle that affects their friendships and family dynamics. While navigating first love, heartbreak, and the challenges of life, Belly must decide what she truly wants as her relationships with the two brothers continue to evolve.
With both siblings giving her a new perspective on life, her choice seems to be more complicated than she imagined. There are deeply rooted similarities between Belly’s experiences in the show and those of Percy in ‘Every Year After.’ The two shows are essentially stories about strong and independent girls whose biggest challenges are the romantic tribulations of their own hearts. Along with the visual similarities and the thematic commonalities, the characters’ arcs and the emotional dynamics between them connect the shows on a deeper level.
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