Prime Video is taking us back to the golden age of millennial summers with its brand-new coming-of-age series, The Runarounds. This feel-good drama follows a group of fresh high school graduates in Wilmington, North Carolina, who form a real rock band and chase stardom during one unforgettable summer. Their journey is raw, hopeful, and infused with the same electric energy that once defined a generation’s love for indie pop, pop rock, music festivals, and DIY concerts.

For many music lovers, the era of spontaneous shows and sweaty outdoor gigs feels long gone, but that’s exactly what The Runarounds is trying to revive. The series is more than just a teen drama; it’s a love letter to a culture that shaped so many of our summers.

TOPHER (Jeremy Yun), PETE (Maximo Salas), BENDER (Marley Aliah), SOPHIA (Lilah Pate), CHARLIE (William Lipton), WYATT (Jesse Golliher), BEZ (Zendé Murdock), NEIL (Axel Ellis)
TOPHER (Jeremy Yun), CHARLIE (William Lipton), NEIL (Axel Ellis)
WYATT (Jesse Golliher), TOPHER (Jeremy Yun), CHARLIE (William Lipton), BENDER (Marley Aliah), PETE (Maximo Salas), SOPHIA (Lilah Pate), BEZ (Zendé Murdock), NEIL (Axel Ellis), AMANDA (Kelley Pereira)

Unlike another music-driven series like Daisy Jones & The Six, what makes The Runarounds stand out is authenticity. The cast isn’t just acting like a band; they actually are one. After Outer Banks creator Jonas Pate put out a nationwide casting call, William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock, and Jesse Golliher were chosen from over 5,000 submissions. Pate even had the group perform live and tour together before filming, turning them into a band with genuine chemistry. That sounds like a huge risk, but it pays off in spades.

Throughout the series, The Runarounds dives deep into themes of hope, dreams, and belonging. The kids at the heart of the story aren’t just chasing fame; they’re chasing meaning, navigating friendships, love, and identity. All while the adults around them create far more chaos than the kids themselves. This clever twist highlights how youthful optimism can shine brighter than the jaded compromises of adulthood.

Of course, a series like this lives or dies by its soundtrack, and The Runarounds delivers. The incredible cast/band wrote and recorded original songs for the show, including the ridiculously catchy singles “Funny How The Universe Works” and “Senior Year.” And yes, you’ll want the full album on repeat after binging. Personally, I cannot wait!

If you’re searching for a nostalgic, music-fueled coming-of-age series, The Runarounds is your next obsession. All eight episodes are dropping on September 1, 2025, on Prime Video. Watch it because I desperately need a season 2!

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