Every Year After ended with a massive change — and shocking cliffhanger — but how is book character Alice Everly related to the twist?
Warning: Spoilers below for season 1 of Every Year After.
The Prime Video series, which premiered on Wednesday, June 10, concluded with Charlie (Michael Bradway) being estranged from brother Sam (Matt Cornett). He was seen devoting his life to work amid his family issues until one weekend in the office changed his life.
Charlie walked into his boss’ office and caught sight of a photo of himself, Sam and Percy (Sadie Soverall) from a past summer together. He wondered who took the photo, which he returned to that night. The overwhelming feelings — and grief — from his estrangement with Sam led to Charlie suffering what appeared to be a heart attack.
“Obviously, I read One Golden Summer, and so I knew it was coming,” Bradway told Swooon about Carley Fortune’s sequel book focused on Charlie’s journey. “I didn’t know how soon.”
Based on Every Summer After by Fortune, Every Year After follows Percy, who grew up vacationing in Barry’s Bay. After spending all her time with the Florek brothers, Percy formed a connection with Sam.
Their romance fizzled out — until they meet again years later — and have a second chance at love. The only problem? Underlying issues that led to their initial breakup.
In Fortune’s follow-up, One Golden Summer, readers find out that Charlie has a congenital heart condition. He was diagnosed months prior to the events in the novel, which also follows his romance with Alice a.k.a the photographer behind the photo of him and his loved ones featured in the show.
“There are a couple of things that I was aware of, and tried to play as the season went on, knowing that that was going to happen,” Bradway continued. “But it is a shock, and I don’t know what happens next, so I’m on the edge of my seat.”
While season 1 didn’t introduce Alice — that wasn’t originally the plan.
“We had a version where she walks through the airport, and he sees her when he’s going to pick up his family,” showrunner Amy B. Harris revealed to the outlet. “Yeah, we had talked all about different versions of how to bring her into the finale. We knew we were bringing her in. We just didn’t know how.”
Harris continued: “What we finally realized is we didn’t [have to bring her in yet]. She still has to be a notion, but one that, if you are a lover of Carley Fortune, is just a perfect little Easter egg. … We knew we needed Alice in some way to come in to launch us to season 2.”
Every Year After is streaming on Prime Video now.
