The TV romance takeover has a dud with ‘Every Year…
Summertime unhappiness.
Romance diversifications have taken over TV – “Heated Rivalry” was a phenomenon, “Bridgerton” stays a juggernaut, “Off Campus” is a hit.
Now, there’s Prime Video’s “Every Year After” – but this show is a dud.
It’s not value watching, unless you’re a superfan of the e-book. (It’s a bestseller, so the show will probably still pull in a healthy viewers).
Sadie Soverall as Percy Fraser and Matt Cornett as Sam Florek in “Every Year After.” Justine Yeung/Prime Video
Aurora Perrineau as Chantal and Sadie Soverall as Percy Fraser in “Every Year After.” Cate Cameron/Prime
Based on the novel by Carly Fortune (confusingly called “Every Summer After”), “Every Year After” is about Persephone “Percy” Fraser (Sadie Soverall), a journalist in her late 20s who is commitment-phobic in her relationships.
After she finds out that a household buddy died, she travels back to Barry’s Bay, the lake city where she used to spend summers with her childhood love, Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) and his household. It’s been years since Percy has seen Sam or returned to this quaint group.
“Every Year After” implies that she left and stayed away under hurtful circumstances, but the story takes its time displaying what occurred. And, like many reveals that orient themselves around a “big reveal,” it’s underwhelming.
Abigail Cowen as Delilah in “Every Year After.” Justine Yeung/Prime Video
Joseph Chiu as Jordie in “Every Year After.” Cate Cameron/Prime
She’s reconnecting with outdated mates that she’s been estranged from, which incorporates Sam, his chaotic brother Charlie (Michael Bradway), her outdated buddy – or frenemy – Delilah (Abigail Cowen), and Sam’s other bud, Jordie (Joseph Chiu). Percy’s lawyer pal from the town, Chantal (Aurora Perrineau), also accompanies her for ethical assist.
If Prime Video’s other current hit, “Off Campus,” had the vitality of a CW show, “Every Year After” looks like an ABC Family show – before their rebrand as Freeform, in an effort to sound more mature.
The writing, performing, and manufacturing values of “Every Year After” are tacky and melodramatic, like a Hallmark or Lifetime film.
“Off Campus” was charming enough to get away with a sprinkling of that tone. This show isn’t.
Matt Cornett as Sam Florek in “Every Year After.” Cate Cameron/Prime
Matt Cornett as Sam Florek, Sadie Soverall as Percy Fraser in “Every Year After.” Cate Cameron/Prime
Even when it tries to steer into relationship angst, the entire thing feels newbie and insipid.
Percy has a voiceover that tries to sound profound – for occasion, as characters swim in a lake, her voiceover describes them as, “creatures of the lake, not born of it, but made for it.”
The makes an attempt to be faux-deep are painfully try-hard. It looks like a 14-year-old making an attempt to impress their writing trainer.
It also doesn’t help that Sam has all the charisma of a moist dishrag. As the show tries to construct the thriller of what occurred to fracture his relationship with Percy in the past, it’s exhausting to really feel invested.
As the show unfolds, you get the sense that the story selected the fallacious main man. His brother Charlie can be more fascinating to construct a story around.
Michael Bradway as Charlie Florek in “Every Year After.” Justine Yeung/Prime Video
Sadie Soverall as Percy Fraser, Matt Cornett as Sam Florek in “Every Year After.” Cate Cameron/Prime
The show also has copious flashbacks to Percy and Sam’s youth.
The 2026 “Wuthering Heights” film was controversial, but it did a great job of telling a love story that started when the characters met as children. It discovered wonderful younger actors, and the scenes added to the story without overstaying their welcome.
The childhood scenes between Sam and Percy in “Every Year After” are tedious and don’t add a lot to the story. Every time one pops up, it takes away the momentum.
The show isn’t all unhealthy. Charlie and Delilah are just like the Jokers of the show, infusing it with some much-needed character. Chantal isn’t just “the friend” who is pushed to the sidelines. She will get her own plot line that’s midway fascinating.
The summertime vibes are there — if you merely need to watch characters swimming in lakes, hanging out on docks, and pouting like they’re in a Lana Del Rey music video, and you aren’t fussed about the standard.
“Every Year After” premieres June 10 on Prime Video.
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