Can You Fall In Love After Just 8 Dates? This New Brisbane-Based Series Is About To Find Out

Brisbane/Meanjin is stepping into the spotlight once again. This time as the backdrop to your next TV obsession: Two Years Later, the new Paramount+ romantic dramedy filmed entirely in and around the river city.

Across eight episodes, Brissie locals can expect plenty of familiar faces and places, from the city skyline and Australian actors to favourite date-night haunts like Howard Smith Wharves. Before you hit play, here’s everything you need to know about the second-chance-at-love series. 

What’s The New Paramount+ TV Show, Two Years Later, About?

Ever caught someone’s eye on your daily commute? Two Years Later follows Ryan and Emily, two singles whose chemistry builds through brief but daily flirtations on their bus ride to work. But before either of them can make a move, the pandemic abruptly shuts the world down. 

Fast-forward two years later (yes, that’s the title explained), and the pair cross paths again. Still smitten with Emily, Ryan proposes a bold idea: eight dates to figure out whether they’re actually meant to be together, or if their connection was simply a case of what could have been.

From career struggles to the messiness of modern dating, the show explores relatable themes through a mix of comedy, drama and romance. Keep the popcorn close—and maybe some tissues too—because Two Years Later looks like it’ll break your heart before piecing it back together (here’s hoping, anyway).

Who’s Starring In Two Years Later?

H20: Just Add Water fans (ahem) are in for a treat. Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin leads the series as Emily, a relatable thirty-something navigating work and dating while trying to figure out where her life is headed post-lockdown. Tonkin steps into the role fresh off Boy Swallows Universe, another major series filmed right here in Brisbane. 

Playing opposite her is Queensland-born Brenton Thwaites as Ryan, Emily’s love interest. If he looks familiar, you’ve probably spotted him in The Giver, Maleficent or Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Cairns-born and a former QUT acting student, he’s got the local creds too.

Rounding out the cast are New Zealand actor Roy Billing (Underbelly) as Morgan, alongside Australian screen icon Heather Mitchell (Fake) in a supporting role. Between the homegrown talent and familiar faces, Two Years Later has assembled a cast worth tuning in for alone.

What Else Do We Know About The Brissie Production?

Brisbane’s screen era is showing no signs of slowing down, and Two Years Later is the latest production putting the city front and centre. The show swaps studio-heavy sets for real streets, neighbourhoods and recognisable landmarks (hello, Story Bridge), so don’t be surprised if you find yourself pointing at the screen saying, “wait, I know that place.”

Backed by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, with post-production also completed locally, the series is another big win for Queensland’s booming film industry. Brisbane isn’t just serving as a backdrop anymore—it’s becoming a star in its own right.

Keen to start bingeing? Watch Two Years Later on Paramount+ from June 4, here.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Paramount+ and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Supplied