Explaining the Character of Alice Everly from “Every Year After”: Insights on Charlie’s Cliffhanger
Every Year After wrapped up with a dramatic turn — and an unexpected cliffhanger — but how does the character Alice Everly fit into the surprise?
Warning: Spoilers ahead for season 1 of Every Year After.
The Prime Video series, which debuted on Wednesday, June 10, ended with Charlie (Michael Bradway) facing estrangement from his brother Sam (Matt Cornett). He was immersed in work, trying to manage his family troubles, until a weekend in the office changed everything for him.
Charlie entered his boss’s office and noticed a photograph of himself, Sam, and Percy (Sadie Soverall) from a previous summer. Curious about the photographer, he revisited the moment that evening. The deep emotions and grief from his strained relationship with Sam culminated in what seemed to be a heart attack.
“Of course, I read One Golden Summer, so I knew this twist was coming,” Bradway shared with Swooon regarding Carley Fortune’s sequel centered on Charlie’s story. “I just wasn’t sure when it would happen.”
In Every Year After, based on Fortune’s novel, Percy reconnects with Sam after their teenage romance fizzles out. Years later, they get a second chance at love, facing the unresolved issues that led to their initial breakup.
In Fortune’s sequel, One Golden Summer, it’s revealed that Charlie has a congenital heart condition, diagnosed months before the novel’s events, which also delve into his relationship with Alice, the photographer behind the photo of him and his loved ones shown in the series.
“I knew certain elements while filming the season and tried to integrate them, anticipating what was to come,” Bradway added. “But it’s still a huge twist, and I’m eager to see where it leads next.”
Although Alice didn’t appear in season 1, it wasn’t part of the original plan.
“We originally wrote a scene where she walks through the airport, and he spots her while picking up his family,” showrunner Amy B. Harris explained. “We brainstormed various ways to introduce her in the finale. The plan was to include her, but we hadn’t settled on how.”
Harris continued: “Ultimately, we realized that we didn’t need to introduce her just yet. She remains an idea, an Easter egg for fans of Carley Fortune, while setting up her appearance for season 2.”
Every Year After is available for streaming on Prime Video now.
