Watch if you are looking for romance without clichés and with real adults. This is not a series about meeting in a bar and a happy ending — it’s about how two years of separation change you, and whether you need to relearn how to know someone. Perfect for those who are tired of romantic comedies with predictable endings.
The premiere on Paramount+ took place on June 4, 2026 — all 8 episodes at once. "Two Years Later" is an Australian romantic drama set in a post-pandemic world. Emily and Ryan are both in their thirties and have not yet started families. They had a fleeting flirtation: they communicated during commutes to work. But then their meetings were interrupted for two years due to the pandemic. Upon seeing each other again, the characters decide to figure out if they have a chance at a future together. To do this, Ryan suggests arranging eight dates.
The tone is restrained, natural, with an Australian casualness. The series does not escalate drama into melodrama: it’s conversations, awkward moments, attempts to get to know someone you barely knew. Phoebe Tonkin and Brenton Thwaites play with a lightness that makes the characters relatable — they are not perfect, they are just trying to understand if it’s worth starting something serious.
Format — 8 episodes of ~45 minutes each. Filming took place in Brisbane, Queensland, with the support of Screen Australia and Screen Queensland. The script is by Pete Bridges, directed by Emma Freeman ("Bloom," "The Swamps"). Production — Hoodlum Entertainment.
If you watched "Normal People" or "Raised by Wolves" — "Two Years Later" is closer to the former in intimacy and lack of gloss. Fans of light romantic comedies may find it too realistic, while those looking for a story about adults who are afraid to start over — this is one of the warmest Australian projects of 2026.