Netflix’s adaptation of the 2008 novel Firefly Lane is a must see! If you, like myself, are a fan of cheesy romantic dramas, then this series is for you. The novel, which was was originally written in 2008 by Kristin Hannah, serves as a breath of fresh air during our trying times. It is safe to say that the modern day screen adaptation by Maggie Friedman does the novel justice.
Netflix’s Firefly Lane spans the course of three decades, following two lifelong best friends namely Tully and Kate. (Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke play the characters as adults, and 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 was depicted as her polar opposite.
Both of the BFF’s are 43 and struggling in 2003, but we also see them during two other time periods. We first see a little more of Tully’s history; we see her at 8 or 9 (played by London Robertson), being grabbed by her strung out mother Cloud from the safe haven of her grandmother’s house, only to be left behind as Cloud participates in a war protest.
Then, in 1974, 14-year-old Tully goes with Cloud again, this time to move into a house on Firefly Lane. Her neighbors are the Mularkeys, and young, shy Kate eventually hits it off with the confident Tully… emphasis on eventually. Tully, who basically is on her own, lives in a way that Kate envies, but Kate’s kindness is something that Tully absolutely needs in her life.
While I won’t bare too many details, the series follows the many ups and downs of the pair friendship, in an utterly relatable way. Firefly Lane offers a glimpse into what many of our own decades-long friendships look like, and this format is bound to have you hooked!
It’s important to note that the series jumps between timelines on a regular basis. Unlike the authors chronological approach to storytelling, Netflix steadily transitions from past to present. Nevertheless, Netflix does a good job of showing the transition between the flashbacks and present-day scenes — but you MUST pay attention.
Watch the trailer for Firefly Lane below! And, stream the series on Netflix.
