Phoebe Tonkin and Brenton Thwaites know a thing or two about on-screen chemistry, but Two Years Later asks a deceptively simple question: what happens when timing gets in the way of true connection? The Paramount+ romantic drama follows Emily and Ryan, whose promising flirtation is cut short by the COVID pandemic, only for fate to bring them back together years later for a series of dates that will determine if they’re meant to spend the rest of their lives together.
Ahead of the series premiering, earlier in the year our Peter Gray spoke with Tonkin and Thwaites at the AACTA Festival – where the first two episodes debuted – about the episodes that reveal the most about their characters, whether Emily and Ryan were always destined to find each other, and why some of cinema’s most beloved couples deserve a second chance.
Of all the dates that your characters have in the show, which date do you think reveals the most about Emily?
Phoebe Tonkin: Which date? I think the date that we go back to Emily’s family’s house. It’s a really vulnerable episode for Emily, and it reveals a lot about how she approaches relationships. It’s one of my favourite episodes.
And for Ryan?
Brenton Thwaites: First date. First episode. I think it’s a defining moment in the show. It’s the opening scene. I think because they’ve known each other for so long, we can all relate to being in our 30s, and he’s thinking about this woman for a long time, so he decides to just really commit. He goes for it. And it’s either stupid or ballsy. I don’t know yet. It’s these two people being vulnerable and open towards each other. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. When you see that and feel that…it can change lives.
Did you ever have the conversation about if the pandemic never happened, would Emily and Ryan be where they are together?
Phoebe Tonkin: Ooh, I don’t know. I think we definitely explore in (the show) is this a sort of destiny. I think they probably would have. When they do meet, unfortunately for my character, she isn’t entirely…well, I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you believe in true love, as I do, then I think these characters were destined to be together at some point.
Brenton Thwaites: That’s a great question. Maybe not? Maybe it took COVID for them to both realise, “I really like this person.” Maybe they would have, and it’s love at first sight, if you believe that stuff. Obviously we all went through COVID…here (Queensland) less so than down in Melbourne and Sydney, but it’s about reconnecting with people. And not even romantic, just people.
Is there anything specific you would like audiences to take away from the show?
Phoebe Tonkin: I think this show does a really good job of showing the complexities of navigating relationships and coming into a relationship with all this baggage. You’ve lived a life. Especially being in your 30s, by the time you meet someone, it’s bringing that in and learning to love yourself and the person that you’re falling in love with at the same time.
And when looking at the history of romantic stories across film and television, is there a couple that you genuinely believe is still together?
Phoebe Tonkin: Oh, that’s such a good question. When Harry Met Sally…, surely.
Brenton Thwaites: They’re still together, for sure. I have to believe that Colin Firth’s character in Love, Actually is still with the Portuguese lady. I have to believe it. And I think the ending in La La Land was miswritten. Can they reshoot that ending? Mia and Sebastian, c’mon! They’ll be at the airport one day, paying $10 for a bottle of water, and they’ll see each other. “It’s you. I love you. And I hate how expensive this is.”
All episodes of Two Years Later are now available to stream on Paramount Plus in Australia.
