Netflix Sets Stunning PEI Drama After Greenlighting Carley Fortune’s Book

Netflix has officially greenlit a new original series based on Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel *This Summer Will Be Different*. The ten‑part adaptation will film on Prince Edward Island and in Toronto, with Canadian production company Sphere Media attached.

The creative helm is shared by Dane Clark (known for *Suze* and *One More Time*) and Linsey Stewart (*Workin’ Moms*, *North of North*).

The series follows Lucy, a young woman navigating her twenties and a forbidden first love with her best friend’s brother, set against ‑soaked backdrop of PEI across multiple summers. Executive producers include Clark, Stewart, Fortune herself, Jennifer Kawaja and Elise Cousineau for Sphere.

The show promises to capture the island’s beauty and the enduring friendships that sustain it.

The project is part of Netflix’s ongoing push into Canadian content, which has helped lift domestic viewership by 20 % in 2025. Other recent Canadian titles on the platform include *North of North* (season two in production), *Wayward*, *Who Killed the Montreal Expos?*, an untitled Newfoundland project, and *The Granville Girls*.

Last year, nearly 65 % of Netflix subscribers streamed Canadian programming.

## Background & Context

Carley Fortune’s novel first captivated readers with its vivid portrayal of PEI’s glittering shores and windswept beaches. In a statement, Fortune said, “I fell in love with Prince Edward Island first in the pages of L.M. Montgomery’s *Anne of Green Gables* and again when I visited with my best friend in my early twenties.

That vacation, the beauty of the island, the warmth of its people, and the friendships that sustain us – are the foundation of *This Summer Will Be Different*.” The series is set to translate these themes to screen, keeping the setting’s core charm intact.

Netflix’s Canadian expansion has been strategic. In 2025, domestic viewership rose 20 % following a slate of locally produced titles. The platform also highlighted the success of *Wayward* and its association with Sphere Media, known for producing limited‑series content.

These initiatives underscore Netflix’s intent to nurture regional stories that resonate both locally and globally.

## What People Are Saying

Netflix’s Directors, Content in Canada, Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury emphasized the partnership’s importance. “When Carley first entrusted us with her captivating book, we knew we had to find the right team to deliver to her passionate fanbase,” they said.

They added that working with Dane Clark, Linsey Stewart and Sphere Media felt “like a dream” and praised the team for delivering a love letter to both Toronto and PEI.

Fortune echoed enthusiasm about the adaptation’s setting. “I’m thrilled to bring this sweeping love story to the screen with Netflix and to transport audiences to the glittering shores and windswept beaches of PEI,” she explained.

Her remarks highlight a key selling point: faithfully recreating the island’s unique atmosphere, which has been central to her narrative.

## What Happens Next

Production will begin on the ten‑part series with scenes scheduled across Prince Edward Island and Toronto. Sphere Media, the producer behind Netflix’s limited series *Wayward*, will handle on‑location work while ensuring authenticity to the novel’s vision.

The production schedule is expected to follow standard industry timelines for a ten‑episode slate, though exact dates have not been disclosed.

As Netflix continues to champion Canadian stories, *This Summer Will Be Different* joins a growing lineup of domestic originals that already attract significant viewership. With 65 % of subscribers last year watching Canadian content, the platform’s investment appears poised to meet audience demand.

Future releases from the same creative team—particularly *North of North* and the upcoming Newfoundland project—may follow a similar trajectory, reinforcing Netflix’s commitment to regional storytelling.

The series promises a blend of romance, friendship, and the natural beauty of PEI, setting the stage for a new chapter in Canadian‑led content on a global streaming platform.