Following the hugely successful launch of “Off Campus” last month, Amazon is set to release its next big YA series, “Every Year After,” on June 10th. In addition to being another romance, this one has the added bonus of potentially filling a hole in the hearts of YA fans, much like Summer Became Beautiful. Because this is the story of a girl who goes on vacation to the same town every year and meets and befriends two brothers.
This comparison can definitely help attract more viewers. But are teams worried about it dominating the conversation? According to Carly Fortune, author of Every Summer After, the short answer is no.
“We want viewers to see that there are siblings and that it’s set in the summer, but I think this show really stands on its own,” Fortune told Variety. “Visually it’s very unique. I think it’s different from anything I’ve seen on TV before. And it was filmed in Canada, so I was very happy about that. Tonally it feels a little different. And there will definitely be comparisons to the show, but I’m not worried about them.”
Kate Cameron/Prime
Based on Fortune’s “Every Summer After,” the show’s eight-episode first season, adapted by Amy B. Harris, depicts the childhood romance of Percy Fraser (Sadie Sauveall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) in flashbacks, transposing their lives after their breakup to the present day. The story explores the circumstances that led to their past breakup, with Percy returning to the Canadian lakeside town of Barry’s Bay in the wake of a tragedy, and after years of radio silence, confronting Sam and his brother Charlie (Michael Bradway).
Fortune’s novel “Every Summer After” and sequel “One Golden Summer” are both options on Amazon, leaving the door open for future seasons. According to Fortune, that’s part of the reason for the name change, which may already be confusing: The book is called “Every Summer After,” the show is called “Every Year After.”
Photo credit: Jenna Marie Waqani
“There were a lot of conversations about it,” Fortune says. “I felt like ‘Every Year After’ opened the door to more seasons beyond and beyond the book. And it was one of those things where in an adaptation, when you bring in other people, things change. So that title was one of them.”
Read the rest of Variety’s interview with Fortune about the debut of Every Year After and plans for further books set in Barry’s Bay below.
What was the casting process like for Percy, Sam and Charlie?
It makes a lot of sense that Percy was first. And Sadie – I couldn’t imagine a better Percy. I can’t imagine the character when I write. Sometimes I have to draw locations because I have a very clear image of the setting and I need to actually physically see the characters in the space. However, their faces are blurry, so I try to depict them so that they are visible. But for me, when I saw Sadie’s audition, I thought, “There’s Percy.” And she was so great.
And it was about understanding Sam. I don’t want to watch all the casting tapes and auditions. I try to write one book a year, but that’s impossible. So, I was asked to audition for the number one pick and give feedback on it. And I cried during Matt’s audition. He gave a eulogy. What I was worried about with Matt is that Sam might be a little anxious. He is worried about his younger brother. I doubt this man has ever felt anxious in his life. he is very handsome. But (Matt) works with vulnerability so well that I knew there were a lot of Charlies who could beat Matt. And I loved every audition that was sent to me. We read chemistry books with Sadie and Matt and Matt and Michael. And all those chemistry readings were done virtually. And through the screen, the chemistry between Sadie and Matt was so great that I blushed. Matt and Michael were also really great. They really felt like brothers. And I think they feel like brothers in the show.
Michael Bradway as Charlie Florek, Sadie Soveol as Percy Fraser
Kate Cameron/Prime
If you haven’t read the book yet, is it better to read the book after watching the show or read the book before watching the show?
My preference is to buy the book. But of course I think either method is fine. That’s the idea.
Several film adaptations are in the works, including the TV series “This Summer Will Be Different” and the movie “Meet Me at the Lake” on Netflix. Are you trying to create an aesthetic or overall vibe throughout the world of TV and film?
When I read and think about scripts, I think of projects in two buckets. One is generally as an adaptation of Carly Fortune and what that should be for a particular book, and the other is just as a TV show or movie script in its own right. And I think adaptation has to have this strong sense of place. So it doesn’t necessarily have to look like this. And hopefully they all have their own visual identity that transports you to this place. We are so excited to be filming in Prince Edward Island. It was my dream. And I think the visuals should fit the tone of “This Summer Will Be Different,” which is completely different from the tone of “Every Summer After.” So I think that’s how it should be visually as well. But it also requires great emotion. You need this sense of nostalgia. Therefore, you should feel like Carly Fortune. But I think each project should do it in its own special way.
How much did you consider in the soundtrack? Do you have a favorite needle drop on the show?
Amy has great musical taste. We talked about it a lot on set. We talked about Dolly (Parton) because Sue’s favorite artist is Dolly. The show features the beautiful Dolly. There’s also Harry Styles. I’m a Harry Styles fan. I think he is a beautiful human being and artist. And then there was the Harry Styles music moment that really made me cry a lot of tears. That’s Amy’s job and then the music director’s job. It had nothing to do with me, but I love it.
Are you working on a third book set in Barry’s Bay to give Every Year After more material for a potential third season and beyond?
Great question. I’m from Barry’s Bay. I love Barry’s Bay. I love lakes. I love these characters. I don’t think my relationship with them is over. That’s all I say.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
