In author Carley Fortune’s perspective, there was a good reason why there was a significant book change from her novel Every Summer After and the adapted show, Every Year After.
Warning: Spoilers for Every Year After below
“Well, I can tell you from [showrunner] Amy [B. Harris]‘ point of view why the change was made and why it’s something that I didn’t push back against it when I read it,” Fortune, 42, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, June 10, when the show premiered on Prime Video.
The story, which is set in dual timelines, centers around Percy (Sadie Soverall)’s return to Barry’s Bay after learning about the death of ex Sam (Matt Cornett)’s mom. As questions swirl about the aftermath of the pair’s split — viewers and readers learn that Percy was briefly intimate with Sam’s brother, Charlie (Michael Bradway). In the book, Sam learns of this moment ahead of Percy coming back to their Canadian town.
Matt Cornett and Sadie Soverall Cate Cameron/Prime
“When I was writing the book, I knew from the beginning the reason why Percy and Sam had kind of fallen apart, but it wasn’t until I got to writing the scene in which Sam and Percy are confronting that, that I realized Sam is known for such a long time,” Fortune explained of her process. “That just felt so heartbreaking and beautiful and sad that all these years had gone by. So he’s had a lot of time to grapple with this.”
This moment, however, differs in the show. Instead of Sam knowing for years, he ultimately learns of Percy’s intimacy with Charlie in the present day — and viewers get a front-row seat of him processing the news while navigating the death of his mom.
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 […]
“I think what was important to Amy was showing Sam’s response to that news. You want to see things on TV. You want to see him be confronted with this,” Fortune explained. “For a second season, we are going to be with Sam while he’s still grappling with this information. I think that that just makes for good on-screen drama. I could get that for sure.”
Aside from Percy and Sam’s relationship woes, season 1 of the show comes to a close with a cliffhanger: Charlie seemingly suffers a health emergency after unexpectedly coming face to face with a picture of the trio aboard the banana boat. Fans of Fortune’s novels know that this is a subtle reference to Alice, whom Charlie sparks a romance with in One Golden Summer, and snapped the picture of the group.
Carley Fortune Jenna Marie Wakani
“I really would love to see a second season of the show. They’re not quite there yet and I think because Sam is still kind of getting his head around what’s happened, that makes a lot of sense,” Fortune said of the ending. “I love how the show ends with a very clear set up for bringing One Golden Summer into the second season, which I’m most excited about.”
Every Year After is streaming on Prime Video now.
