As the final school bell rings on Sex Education and the doors of Truham remain closed until Heartstopper Season 3 is back in session, you may be looking for the next obsession-worthy YA British show. The upcoming dramedy Everything Now is that show, and Season 1 premieres on Oct. 5. The series — created by 22-year-old Ripley Parker — centers around London teenager Mia, who’s played by Sophie Wilde of A24 horror movie breakout Talk to Me. 

We follow Mia as she creates a bucket list of experiences that both thrill and terrify her. The high schooler assumes that the list is the only way to rebuild her life following a months-long recovery from disordered eating— especially because it now seems that her friends’ lives have gone from being boring to epic while she was in rehab. Now it’s her turn to booze and bed-hop like everyone else. Or, is it? 

Although Everything Now tackles delicate subject matter, Parker says her team never wanted to make the series feel like a “dirge.” “We wanted to have a really healthy balance of light and dark,” she tells Tudum. “You can convey emotion with so much more impact if you’re also entertaining [the audience].” 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Everything Now, from the key plot points to the cast to what happens in its sparkle-filled trailer. 

What is Everything Now about? 

Mia is a 16-year-old Londoner entering sixth form at the fictional Westmere School after returning home from a stay at a rehabilitation center for disordered eating. Although she’s only been gone for a matter of months, Mia realizes that her closest friends have moved on without her. 

To combat the feeling of lost time, Mia creates an ever-evolving bucket list. She jumps headfirst into the intoxicating world of dating, partying, and growing up alongside her three best mates, one popular frenemy, and a major new crush. Throughout Everything Now Season 1, Mia discovers that — even with the most carefully constructed bucket list — there’s only so much we can do to plan the future. 

When does Everything Now premiere? 

You can stream all eight episodes of Everything Now Season 1 now. 

Who’s in the Everything Now cast? 

You Don’t Know Me’s Wilde; Noah Thomas; Lauryn Ajufo, from Luther: The Fallen Sun; and Harry Cadby anchor the series as Mia, William, Becca, and Cam, Everything Now’s core group of chaotic best friends. Niamh McCormack, Robert Akodoto, Kiran Krishnakumar, and TikTok star Jessie Mae Alonzo also star as students at Westmere. Alex Hassell, The Sandman’s Vivienne Acheampong, Sam Reuben, and Olivette Cole-Wilson portray Mia’s family members. And Heartstopper’s very own headmaster, BAFTA nominee Stephen Fry, appears as Dr. Nell, Mia’s guide through treatment; Chloe Acland portrays Jenna, Mia’s roommate at rehab.. 

Initially, creator Parker assumed it would be difficult to find the perfect cast. “All the roles demand such a multifaceted performance. They each are such individually complex characters, but also need to operate so seamlessly as a unit,” Parker says. But then she met the actors who would become Everything Now’s messy friends and family. “And they absolutely blew us away,” she says. 

Who made Everything Now? 

The YA drama was written and created by 22-year-old London-based writer Ripley Parker. Sex Education director Alyssa McClelland helmed two episodes (including the series premiere), as did Charlie Manton, Dionne Edwards, and Laura Steinel. 

Is Everything Now based on a true story? 

Yes and no. Ripley confirms Everything Now evolved out of her own experiences and feelings about adolescence. The plot was initially shown only from Mia’s perspective; supporting characters’ storylines solely focused on their relationship with her. Then Parker got into the writers’ room and started collaborating with writers, producers, and consultants.  

“It expanded so much more than I could have ever imagined, and the story became so much richer,” she says. “Everything Now became a really, really wonderful melting pot of many different stories and experiences — and I’ll never reveal whose story is whose.”

The one thing Parker will reveal, though, is how she approached the creation of Mia. Parker wanted to avoid bringing any of her own “baggage” to the character. “It was important to me that I had a healthy perspective on everything I was writing… and wasn’t steering the show in places that it shouldn’t go or that didn’t feel natural,” she explains. “So I tried to try keep a healthy level of distance between myself and my life and Mia and her friends.” 

Can I watch the Everything Now trailer?

You sure can. The trailer gives us a glimpse into Mia’s world, which is equal parts poignant and party-filled. On one hand, we see Mia work on her recovery and mental health. But, as the title suggests, Mia still yearns to do everything right now. Her cheeky pals are more than happy to help; they show Mia the ropes at neon-colored bashes and extravagant mansions. All the while, they tackle heartbreak and flirtations of their own. 

It’s time to slip down the Everything Now rabbit hole as the group starts to check off bucket list items like snagging first kisses, drinking, and maybe even falling in love. 

Are there any Everything Now photos available? 

Yes, and it’s time to meet your new BFFs. You can spy Mia, Becca, William, and Cam in the photos, along with cool girls Alison (McCormack) and Carli (Alonzo). You’ll be crushing on this crew in no time. 

Everything Now is now streaming on Netflix.

And if you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating or mental health, you aren’t alone. Please visit wannatalkaboutit.com for information on how to find support.