Vancouver-born actor Joseph Chiu stars as Jordie in the Prime Video series Every Year After, a highly anticipated romantic drama based on the best-selling novel Every Summer After by Toronto author Carley Fortune. The eight-part series, which premieres on June 10, was filmed in Vancouver and Bowen Island, showcasing the stunning landscapes of British Columbia.
From Page to Screen
The story follows Persephone “Percy” Fraser, played by Sadie Soverall, and Sam Florek, portrayed by Matt Cornett. Told across a six-year timeline of summers spent together, the narrative explores their journey from inseparable childhood friends to lovers, and the dark secret that ultimately ends their relationship. The series has generated significant buzz among fans of the novel, which became a massive bestseller for its heartfelt exploration of timing, memory, and personal growth.
Joseph Chiu on His Role
Chiu, who now calls Toronto home, plays Jordie, Sam’s best friend. In an interview, Chiu shared insights about the character and the series. “Jordie’s somebody who tries hard to keep things light and casual, even when he’s feeling things very deeply underneath,” Chiu explained. “He was this hometown basketball prodigy whose life trajectory changed after an injury, and now he’s back in Barry’s Bay running his family’s motel business while trying to figure out what adulthood looks like when it doesn’t fully match the version you imagined for yourself.”
Chiu added that Jordie is not a stereotypical brooding romantic lead. “He’s unintentionally funny, surprisingly shy, a terrible liar, loyal to a fault, and honestly a little emotionally chaotic in a way that felt very human to me. I always imagined him as the type of person who knows every hidden running route in Barry’s Bay, randomly shows up with ice cream when you’re having a bad day, or calls you at 5 a.m. to go on a hike because he’s trying to process something difficult without fully talking about it yet. When it comes to romantic relationships, he’s the avoidant final boss.”
Personal Connections to the Role
Interestingly, Chiu’s own background influenced the character. Originally, Jordie was written as a hockey player with a serious knee injury. However, after showrunner Amy Harris learned that Chiu played basketball and had suffered a major pec injury when he was younger, parts of that story naturally shaped the character. “There were emotional aspects of Jordie’s story that felt very personal to me,” Chiu said. “I understood the identity shift that can happen when something you’ve built your life around suddenly changes. You start asking yourself bigger questions about confidence, purpose, and self-worth.”
Why the Book Resonates
Chiu also reflected on why the original novel became such a huge bestseller. “I think people connect really deeply to stories about timing, memory, and the versions of ourselves tied to certain places or relationships. Every Summer After captures that feeling of looking back on a specific summer or person and realizing it shaped you permanently. I think there’s also something very hopeful about the story. It asks the question: What if all those years of yearning, regret, and missed timing were actually leading somewhere meaningful?”
The full series is available June 10 on Prime Video. Fans of the book and newcomers alike can look forward to a heartfelt and visually stunning adaptation that brings the beloved story to life.
