entertainment
It's slightly different than the novel
By Greta Heggeness
•
Published Sep 19, 2023
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*Warning: Minor spoilers ahead*
I’m going to be upfront: I was pretty skeptical about the all-new Netflix series, Firefly Lane. I recently reread the 2008 novel by Kristin Hannah for the first time since high school and—let me tell you—it’s even more fantastic than I remembered. (It left me bawling and feeling nostalgic for days, which is a rare occurrence.) This clearly made me doubt that any small screen version could do it justice.
Still, I was intrigued by Netflix’s adaptation of Firefly Lane, which stars Katherine Heigl (Tallulah “Tully” Hart) and Sarah Chalke (Kate Mularky). The series series premiered in 2021, and it was featured on the streaming service’s list of most-watched shows. Since part of my job as an entertainment editor is to determine whether something is worth the watch, I streamed it with an open mind.
To my surprise, I was extremely pleased with Netflix’s version, even though it’s slightly different than the novel. While it didn’t tie up every loose end like the book, it did leave me wanting more—and that’s all I can ask for.
Here’s my honest review of Firefly Lane season one.
Courtesy of Netflix
1. What's Firefly Lane Season 1 About?
The story spans the course of decades, following two lifelong best friends. (While Heigl and Chalke play the characters as adults, the teenage versions of Tully and Kate are portrayed by Ali Skovbye and Roan Curtis, respectively.)
The first episode shows viewers how they met, beginning with Tully’s turbulent childhood that led her to move in with her free-spirited mom, Cloud (Beau Garrett), in a house on Firefly Lane. It doesn’t take long for Tully to meet her across-the-street neighbor, Kate, who couldn’t be more different.
Fast forward several years, and they’re still best friends. Tully has achieved her dream of becoming a famous broadcaster. (She even has her own talk show called The Girlfriend Hour.) On the other hand, Kate chose to raise a family with her former boss, Johnny (Ben Lawson), who’s secretly in love with Tully. *Eye roll*
The problem? Kate is in the midst of a divorce from Johnny, and their teenage daughter, Marah (Yael Yurman), is acting out as a result. I don’t want to give too much away, but the series offers a glimpse into their decades-long friendship in a way that had me hooked from the second it began.
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
2. Who Is in the Cast of Firefly Lane Season 1?
Part of what made this adaptation so great was the stellar cast. In addition to Heigl and Chalke, the cast for season one includes Ali Skovbye(YoungTully), RoanCurtis (YoungKate), Ben Lawson (Johnny Ryan), Jon Ecker (Max Brody), Beau Garrett (Cloud) and Yael Yurman (Marah Ryan).
Courtesy of Netflix
3. Is FireFly Lane Worth the Watch?
If you love cheesy romantic dramas, the answer is 100 percent yes. Firefly Lane is a coming-of-age story that’s suitable for most viewers, which is a rare find in the age of Bonding and Bridgerton.
Not to mention, Firefly Lane left me wanting more. Although the series had a lot toprove,the full-circle ending made it all worthwhile. I feel extremely obligated to wait for season two, since the first batch of episodes provided multiple cliffhangers.
It’s important to note that the show jumps between timelines on a regular basis. As a fan of the book, I was initially unsure about this format, since I enjoyed Hannah’s chronological storytelling. Nevertheless, Netflix does a good job of showing the transition between the flashbacks and present-day scenes.
Pro tip: Pay attention to Kate and Tully’s wigs, because their hairstyles will clue you into the time period. (For example, Tully has long brown hair when she’s training to become a broadcaster, but she rocks a short, cropped style later in her career.)
In short, Firefly Lane is definitely worth the watch. While I wish there were more episodes, I applaud Netflix for revisiting this nostalgic story.
Netflix
4. What Are Some Other Shows Like Firefly Lane?
If you loved Firefly Lane, then Sweet Magnolias, Ginny & Georgia and Virgin River are just a few feel-good dramas that should be on your radar. And if you're unsure of where to start, we highly recommend Sweet Magnolias, which revolves around three friends and takes place in South Carolina. Similar to Firefly Lane, it touches upon themes like romance, family and, of course, friendship.
For a more comprehensive list of shows like Firefly Lane, check out our roundup here.
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Greta Heggeness
Senior Editor, News and Entertainment
- Writes and edits news and entertainment content
- Specializes in breaking celebrity news, royal family coverage and TV show and movie recommendations
- Has 9 years experience in entertainment coverage
read full bio