Every Year After Cast Addresses Comparisons to TSITP
Set against a picturesque summer backdrop, featuring a protagonist entangled in a romance with two brothers, the parallels between Every Year After and The Summer I Turned Pretty are apparent. However, it’s important to note the distinct differences between the two narratives.
Warning: Spoilers for Every Year After below
“I believe it captures the same yearning as The Summer I Turned Pretty, but it’s not truly a love triangle,” Aurora Perrineau, who portrays Chantal in the series, shared exclusively with Us Weekly before the premiere of Every Year After on Wednesday, June 10. “It’s not a love triangle. Additionally, it’s more adult in nature, as it focuses on adults.”
In Every Year After, protagonist Percy (Sadie Soverall) confronts ex Sam (Matt Cornett) after returning to Barry’s Bay following his mother’s passing. As viewers delve deeper, they learn that Percy was involved with Sam’s brother, Charlie (Michael Bradway,) after their breakup.
Initially, the plot seems reminiscent of The Summer I Turned Pretty, where Belly (Lola Tung) navigates a romance with Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) post-breakup from Conrad (Christopher Briney). However, as Perrineau, 31, elaborated to Us, Every Year After leans more towards a “conversation of forgiveness” between Percy and Sam.
“Many people, while not in the exact situation, will resonate with the theme of seeking to understand how to forgive others, and themselves,” Perrineau commented. “I believe that’s something audiences will connect with.”
Joseph Chiu, who plays Jordie in the series, also pointed out to Us that a further distinction between the two shows lies in how Sam and brother Charlie (Michael Bradway) cope with the loss of both parents. Conversely, in The Summer I Turned Pretty, while Conrad and Jeremiah face the loss of their mother, they still have their father for support.
Every Summer After author Carley Fortune reiterated Perrineau’s perspective, emphasizing that the story—both in book and series form—centers on the love narrative between Sam and Percy, distinctly different from the love triangle experienced by Belly in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
“It’s not about choosing between people,” Fortune exclusively explained to Us regarding her story. “A love triangle implies there’s equal tension among the characters involved. That’s simply not the case here. The series reflects the significance of special places and relationships that linger with us over time. It’s about the journey back home.”
She added, “It explores how we grow and change, yet the younger versions of ourselves remain part of us. I think it evokes a sense of tenderness.”
Every Year After is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
